This is a new feature on the Save Our Waterways website. You, the reader, get the chance to make comments and say what you think!
This first posting is to get the ball rolling. Please feel free to post a comment to say what you think of the idea!
Comments and suggestions are also welcome about the new version of the website.
Just click the "Comments" link (on the left or below) to write a comment or read other comments.
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8 comments:
originally posted 13th Dec
I think this is a good idea. Is it possible to add photographs? For example, I could see supporters taking pictures of more D&E assets and adding some comments.
We could recruit ‘correspondents’ via the news group/lists!
originally posted 13th Dec
It is not possible to put a photo into a comment. If correspondents want to send us images, they should email them to the address on the Contact Us page.
Or, if the photo is on something like a Flickr site, they could email us the link to the image.
originally posted 19th Dec
Prompt action now will save money in the long term.Suggest you take more pics after the winter frosts. Remember the Marple aquaduct in the 60s the frost blew it apart for the want of attention.This is our heritage they are not looking after.
CKP
originally posted 19th Dec
My next column under 'canaldrifter' on www.narrowboatworld.com should include some images of bridges falling apart and towpath overgrowth etc., once Tom gets around to publishing it.
It will also give details of my thinking on SOW becoming, or at least supporting, a new membership fund-raising organisation that will include anyone with interest in the waterways. My cruising this year under SOW banners has uncovered a desire for membership of such an organisation, and a willingness to contribute financially.
This could give us a substantial fighting fund, but could also be a means of raising more income from towpath users that could be donated to something like the WRG to get some of the work done.
originally posted 12th Jan
The government plans dont take the fact that people want to be able to follow in the foot steps of their families and have more leisure time on their hands. Destroying our heritage should not be their priority protecting it should be. And they should be leading the fight not letting the public show them the way.
originally posted 13th Jan
So true, Karen…… but we have to tell them that they are letting us all down, particularly at the approach of the next election when they might start to take notice of what we say.
originally posted 16th Jan
Tony Haynes idea of a new membership fund-raising organisation that will include anyone interested in waterways is a good idea, however, the IWA already run under the banner of “waterways for all” which is seen by many as being woolly and open and therefore people cannot relate to it.
When NABO was set up I suggested that it would be seen as elitist and a navigator’s organisation would be a better idea as it would include everybody with an interest in waterways being used for their original purpose.
The Historic Narrow Boat Owners Club campaign for the retention of historical waterways features and have even produced a booklet called “Our Disappearing Heritage” yet HNBOC is seen by many as even more elitist than NABO.
May I suggest that any new organisation must have a purpose or purposes that large numbers of people will relate to such as;
1) Waterways being used for their original purpose i.e. navigation.
2) Saving our waterways heritage.
Anyone interested in waterways must be able to relate to one of the above if not both.
Just look at the success of CAMRA with their "Campaign for real ale". What we want is a "Campaign for real canals".
originally posted 12th Feb
This is no more than thinking aloud.
SUPPORT OUR WATERWAYS The membership drive.
Further to my brief discourse at the last SOW meeting, my proposal on a SOW membership is this.
1. The membership organisation should be called SUPPORT OUR WATERWAYS.
The campaign should remain SAVE OUR WATERWAYS.
2. membership should be sought from towpath users of all kinds, and those boaters who wish to join too.
3. This would not conflict with IWA membership as those who have said they want to join something do not want to join the IWA. It is regarded as too expensive, and (wrongly) as a boating organisation amongst other things.
However, it is hoped that SOW membership would be officially recognised by and maybe affiliated with the IWA eventually.
4. It is my experience from last year’s 1300 mile cruise that folks on the towpath want to join SOW, and want to donate to the cause, usually about £10. I did not collect last year. This money would be used to further the SOW campaign, and perhaps even to help fund some urgent safety related repairs by the WRG.
5. I now have a dozen private boaters willing to carry banners on their boats, and to hand out membership brochures. As the season approaches the list is growing.
6. I have a reliable person willing to act as treasurer (A Quaker clerk).
7. Initially we would need sponsorship donations for banner and brochure design and production. This would not be sought from the SOW steering committee, who are doing enough already. Other interested sources are out there.
8. I would suggest initially a minimum of 40 banners and 20,000 brochures (1000 per boat at 20 boats total).
9. The brochures would be both informative on SOW and include a send-in recruiting form and url for an online membership form.
10. Thus the campaign would be highly visible and continuous throughout the 2008 season and throughout the network instead/ of being for a few weekends in specific places.
11. Whilst writing to MPs as individuals is valid, it is also limited in effect. We keep getting standard replies. A large membership organisation has clout and could work hand-in-hand with the IWA. It may also include other powerful groups such as SUSTRANS, anglers and hikers, as well as waterway workers.
12. 'Support Our Waterways' would seek a united front in the campaign to 'Save Our Waterways' by lobbying at the highest levels. As a membership organisation it would allow SOW to be represented at User Group meetings alongside the IWA RYA NABO RBOA etc. The more the merrier and the more the clout!
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