AWCC

Crews getting a soaking

Boat crews from Worsley to Runcorn all made their way to the heart of Lymm  village to celebrate the 46th annual rally of the Federation of Bridgewater Cruising Clubs. Over 220 boats attended for a weekend of fun, meeting old friends and with non -stop entertainment for all of the weekend. This year the rally was hosted by Lymm Cruising Club and took twelve months in the planning. Boat crews dressed themselves and their boats in the theme of the ‘circus’ this meant lots of clowns walking around and with the big marquee decorated to match and it proved to be a very colourful weekend.

The Saturday weather held out as everyone watched the dog show, the Commodore’s games (not for the faint hearted as this meant getting soaked with water) and listened to Lymm Samba Band, and the Chadderton Brass Band. After live entertainment in the evening the boaters watched illuminated boats compete for the Coupe de Lumiere Trophy when they sailed through Lymm Village all ablaze with thousands of lights giving a fantastic display to all that watched.

Sunday being the highlight of the weekend started with a church service in the marquee followed by an Official Sail-past including the Mayor of Warrington and the Mayoress, Mr. Mike Webb and his wife, from the Bridgewater Canal Co., also representatives from British Waterways, the Inland Waterways Association, the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs, the Officials of the Federation of Bridgewater Cruising Clubs and Canal Watch.  Over the years the Federation have been very active on the issues which affect boating on the Bridgewater Canal they are involved with Canal Watch, Bridgewater Canal Users Group, the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs and the Inland Waterways Association.

You can see more of their rally pictures on www.flickr.com/photos/fbcc

Whilst we now have many Restored Canals on our waterways nationally, proud to say we another brand new canal has opened in the AWCC North West Region, the Liverpool Link. Read the rest of this entry »

The AWCC will be manning a stand at the Crick Show again this year. If you are coming to the show, you’ll find one or more of the AWCC Exec are on hand to talk about what the AWCC should (or shouldn’t) be doing for their members.

Of course we’ll have full information available on all AWCC Clubs for anyone who is interested in visiting other clubs, finding out what the Clubs have to offer both boaters and social members, or to put you in touch with your local Club if you are interested.

If you’d like to order any of the AWCC regalia, perhaps pick up a special offer for Club Members, or just enjoy a natter like we all do, drop by the stand and say hello.

You’re welcome!

Malcolm Jones

In 2008 we lost a very good family friend to cancer, my Uncle Malc. For those of you who knew Malcolm Jones, you will know what a fabulous person he was. He did so much for various charities and associations - along with huge support from his wife Brenda. He is greatly missed by our family. Read the rest of this entry »

The AWCC London Region Annual Outing this year is a visit to The Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation. It take place on Saturday May 30th.( weekend after Bank Holiday ) including a 2 hour cruise from 12noon-2pm, and Ploughmans Lunch.

Our hired narrowboat is from Papercourt Lock. Ample car parking on site and tea rooms. We have just a few places left @ £17.00 inclusive.

Cheques (payable to:- AWCC London Region ) direct to Bob Langley, 4 Auckland Road, Potters Bar, Herts. EN6 3ES

Tel: 01707 646876

Full details to get there will be advised.

David Pearce, National Chairman of the AWCC, has written to Gerry Grimstone and Yvette Cooper, expressing concern at the possibility of BW losing control of it’s Non-operational Property Portfolio and the income that generates for BW. Copies of the letters are attached below.

We understand that a number of AWCC members have also written to their MPs and to other Government Ministers in a similar vein.

The Budget on Wednesday 22nd April will tell all.

Gerry_Grimstone.pdf

Yvette_Cooper.pdf

John Edmonds,Chair of IWAC, has written to the Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, expressing his concern about an adverse outcome of the Treasury Review being carried out by Gerry Grimstone which could result in a reduction to BWs income, and arguing that BW should allowed to retain the control of and income from, the property and investment portfolio. Full information and the text of his letter are available on the IWAC website here http://www.iwac.org.uk/news/#news61

John Edmonds spoke on this subject at the AWCC AGM held at Stafford Boat Club on 14th March 2009.

The BSS have just released the attached alert on a specific type of portable stove with an integral gas canister.

“The release is made following incidents where people have been seriously burnt and is issued by the Boat Safety Scheme in association with Hampshire County Council Trading Standards.

There are many variants of such stoves and no single model or brand is implicated.

We have attached a generic image for your use and which is intended to reflect no one brand or model, but just a typical design.”

The alert discusses the possibilty of incorrect assembly which can result in the integral gas canister overheating with the possibility of a subsequent explosion.

The full information from the BSS is downloadable here nr00109-portable-gas-stoves-safety-alert-apr-09

At the request of a number of members, I have added the old Club maps under the Club Finder whilst I work on getting the new Club finder in place.

Note that the information on these maps is not fully up to date - some flags may be shown on the map indicating Clubs that are no longer part of the AWCC, and some Clubs may not be shown on the maps.

Please check with the handbook and the 2009 updates for the latest information on a Club

Brian Rich
AWCC Communications Officer

The Federation was formed in 1963 to link the six Bridgewater Boat Clubs, socially, on Bridgewater Canal affairs, and in their dealings with Peel Holdings, the Authority who control the Bridgewater Canal. The six Clubs, all AWCC members, who all give a warm, northern type welcome to visitors, are, from east to west:

Worsley C.C. situated on the Leigh branch of the Bridgewater, which runs north, from its junction with the Main line at Waters Meet, to join the Leeds Liverpool Canal at Wigan . Nearby are the famous but closed underground canal workings which serviced coal mines. Quite an historic area.

Watch House C.C. in the Stretford Area, with handy adjacent shopping, and easy access to Manchester Centre. An atmospheric club house, part of which is an old stable block.

Sale C.C. Long established, active, friendly club, good facilities. Access to fast Metrolink tram service into City Centre.

Lymm C.C. next, situated near the picturesque Cheshire Village of Lymm, a village well worth a visit. with good walks in the surrounding areas. Again another active, friendly club.

Preston Brook Boat Owners Association is situated near to the Junction of the Bridgewater Canal, Trent and Mersey Canal, and the Runcorn Branch Canal.

Bridgewater Motor Boat Club is at the end of the Runcorn Branch, well worth a trip, not only for the welcome you will receive at their club house, but you can walk down and visit the site of the Runcorn Locks, at the bottom of which is the Manchester Ship Canal.

There is now a society working to restore the Runcorn Locks, which will add more adventures in the NW. Down the locks onto the Ship Canal, west towards the Weaver River at Marsh Lock, or further down to the River Mersey, or East up to Salford Quays, then up the Pomona Lock back onto the Bridgwater Canal.

Roland Dotchin
NW Region AWCC