Here's an excerpt from the speech by John Fletcher (IWA national Chairman)
at the Festival at Beale Park earlier today:
"I have never before been 'heavy' in my welcome to the National Festival.
This year commentators have noted my pessimism about the future of the
waterways - they ain't heard nothing yet!
I would be neglecting my duty if I did not use this opportunity to alert you
to the dire problems the waterways are about to face. I became chairman when
the waterways were enjoying their own 'never had it so good' years.
Now they face threats the likes of which we have not seen for decades. The
very contiguity of the system is threatened by government spending plans,
where I suspect the personal ambitions of a few of the most senior
politicians outweigh any detriment to the waterways which their plans might
cause.
Previous administrations have cheerfully flaunted how many people live by or
near waterways, how many work beside waterways, how many take their leisure
on or by waterways. To Milliband and Gordon Brown, I say 'Remember those
numbers! -AND BE AFRAID!!' I remind them of how articulate the waterway
movement has been in campaigning for the past sixty years and suggest they
should be very afraid.
But you have come to enjoy the waterways while you still can..."
--
Mike Stevens
narrowboat Felis Catus III at Beale Park
web-site www.mike-stevens.co.uk
No man is an island. So is Man.
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