Oh dear, it hurts me to admit it but in this case I agree with Steve (I'm hoping this is only a temporary aberration and that recovery is swift ;-)))
> Me too - but for different reasons. For a start I'd challenge the idea that > the waterways actually need publicising in the way they used to in the days > when each Festival in its own way was fighting for the very existence of the > system. What's the use, I ask, encouraging more and more people to the > waterways when there aren't even enough moorings and other basic > facilities for them once they've bought a boat? What's the use crowding the > waterways with so many people that their sense of separateness from > contemporary life which is their greatest attraction is gradually >eroded? This is a valid point as some current boaters feel that the system is becoming a linear boat park for cheap accommodation and with others, nouveau riche owners, who know not and care not about the system or the etiquette required when they do venture out. It seems to me that there is an element getting on to the system who have chosen to spend their excess capital on a boat because it seems such a 'jolly good thing' to do so. This type of owner has no real knowledge of, nor cares a jot about, the heritage and etiquette involved that others have acquired over years of hiring, borrowing, owning boats and talking to more experienced hands. > The National was first conceived as a campaigning event, and the growth of > the periphery 'entertainment' around it was just a way of giving people > something to do once they'd arrived at the site. Nowadays, that campaigning > element has been boxed off and compartmentalised, and the National's become > a commercial event - though IMO, not a particularly good one compared to, > say, Crick. So it's neither one thing or the other: neither good for trade > nor good for politics. IMO it has gradually deteriorated over the years as fewer small trade stands that are associated with boating attend. In the early days you could always pick up that small gizmo that you had intended to buy for your boat or for working on your boat. Nowadays its all toffee, naff knick-knacks and a commentator *desperately* trying to get you to shout for the white knight (yeuchhh!). There aren't even that many boat-builders showing these days. > Increasingly, it's not much good socially either. > More and people can't be bothered going to be moored in a field somewhere > miles from the site. OK, the various clubs that do block bookings keep alive > the spirit of the old Festivals, but the days when could amble around the > site and pretty-well be sure of seeing all your waterways friends have long > gone. At the last National it was the block booking and proximity of the gang from Cutweb (and others) that made it worth while for us. The social side was brilliant but the show could have been seen in about half a day....if you wanted to stretch it out! We were all situated a huge distance from the show-ground, despite an early block booking (and the organisers had wanted to isolate us further at one stage by leaving the swing bridge open all day, leaving the southern moorers a huge hike around the perimeter of the site to get into the show). One boater we met, who had booked well after us and yet was situated right by the entrance, openly boasted to us as we lock-shared with him that it was because he knew someone within the senior ranks of the IWA that he got his preferential mooring. This sort of nepotism degrades the whole organisation IMO. Crick is a much better show and I feel that I will never again make the effort to attend the National by boat and, probably not, by road. Phew, must go and lie down. Agreeing with Steve *and* having a good rant all in one day........it's all getting too much ;-)) Roger
