I've been looking at some of the press coverage of the various blockade events over last weekend, and there is something nagging at my brain...
Many articles refer to the impact on boat owners, boaters, canals, or somesuch, but miss the point that it's ALL waterway users that are potentially affected by the DEFRA cuts. I therefore have to ask whether we are getting the full and proper message across? As a result of the press coverage many people do believe it will only affect those strange old beardies on their boats who dawdle up and down the canals. BUT the reality, of course, is that it could affect everyone - cyclists, walkers, anglers, canoeists, dog walkers, etc etc, on any waterway in the country. Now I know that some boaters are not best friends with some of the above categories, but if we're to win this fight we need the support of everyone, and somehow we have to change public, and press, perception and get anyone and everyone on our side. I don't know how we change this, but is it just me that thinks we're missing a trick here? Les Hunt
