Roger Millin wrote:
> Tony said:
> snipped:
>> Also some from Oxford seemed to be protesting about the boatyard
>> there. I am not sure potentially splitting the message will do much
>> good either, but although this may well have been highly appropriate
>> for them we must watch it in the future.
> Yes, this was/is a fear of mine that our protests could be semi-
> hijacked by the Castle Mill people and our message will get diluted.
> They are still fighting *their* cause and, whatever the rights or
> wrongs of that cause, it's nowt to do with our protest. Indeed, it
> would be a very good idea to ensure the two don't get linked in
> anyone's mind.
> Roger
>
Exactly. I had a long chat with them over a beer after the AGM and
I think I got them around to our way of thinking (of course, I
gave them a copy of the campaign doc). At least they left talking
enthusiastically about us getting together on the phone/email.
The other person that nearly high-jacked the TV interviews was
David Scrowcroft (sp?). Blimey, he was aggressive...gave BW
Chief Exec Robin Evans a real BW-bashing in full view of the
BBC reporter & cameraman. We were really lucky that the exchange
wasn't recorded for future use. He calmed down a bit when I laid
in to him with 'David don't you think that we ought to forget
about BW bashing and all work together on this? Afterall, if
we don't put and end to these there won't be a canal or BW.
I gave him a copy of the campaign doc and suggested he read
that. This was just after our first interview at 0650.
Eugene Baston then stepped in and chatted to him and he moved
away.
Just before the last interview at 0920 he turned up again and
was taking photos (we were on one of the BW heritage boats) and
he shouted over that he'd been getting calls from people who
had seen the interviews and were pleased. I asked him if he
had read the campdoc and he said yes and made positive noises.
The message here is clear. People like David have a lot of passion,
energy and determination but if the BW-bashing continues is
can only deflect attention from the main issue. Lets Save Our
Waterways first, then we can go back to bashing BW about our
own specific agendas.
Otherwise we will be like two oarsmen in a boat rowing in
opposite directions; the boat won't get anywhere.
By the way, I have to say that I was exceedingly disappointed
that NABO just couldn't resist a bit of BW-bashing. Am I wrong
but wasn't it one of their senior representatives that said
we all need to work as one in this campaign?
Just after the interviews I had a call from Brian Dominic telling
me that the sight of my face on TV had put him off his breakfast,
then seriously added that this was the first time since his
long involvement with the canals that he had seen an example
of BW and canal users working in unison. Not the usual 'us' and
'them', but 'we'. Its OUR campaign. Govt would like nothing
better than to see us squabbling amongst ourselves. Look what a
mess they are in themselves over the in-fighting between the Blair
and Brown factions.
Cheers...
Will Chapman
Save Our Waterways -- then we'll look at the special interests
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