Will
I suggest that you talk to Andy Screen of 'Towpath Action Group', if you
don't know his email address please get back to me.
regards
Steve Hayes
Will Chapman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Les Hunt wrote:
> 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.
That is partially true. However, many of the organiser interviews
mentioned the importance of other users. In fact, that was one of
the main purposes of the demonstrations: use the boats to attract
public and media attention so that we could make the point to other
waterways users.
However, you are correct that it was no means a universal message.
We have been in touch with other users and have made some headway
with the NFA (National Federation of Anglers...in fact they have
just placed a link to SOW on their website and made a very strong
statement of support in Towpath Talk and on an interview with
Gardiner of Defra and Chris Coburn of IWA soon after the BW AGM.
We also have good links with the British Canoe Union and some of
their members took part in last weekends demonstrations. We hope to
greatly expand their participation in the next round of protests.
Two big groups with whom we haven't yet made progress are Cyclists
and Ramblers...if anyone has any connections please let me know!
> 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.
So we agree totally (in fact, this point is a key feature of the SOW
campaign plan [see our website for a copy]). It is interesting that
the BW Annual Report claims that there were 300 million visits to
BW canals in 2006. If that is accurate then boaters are clearly no
more than 3% of that (30,000 boats x 3 crew x 100 days cruising a
year = 9 million visits).
Cheers
Will
>
> 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
--
Will Chapman
Save Our Waterways
www.SaveOurWaterways.org.uk
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