The minutes of this meeting are attached as a PDF file

Minutes Sep 09

BSS has issued an urgent appeal to boaters who may remain at risk from potentially fatal carbon monoxide poisoning, to act on a safety alert from the manufacturers of Belling, Flavel, Leisure, and New World cookers.

Despite earlier warnings about the dangers and extensive efforts by the manufacturers and Trading Standards to contact affected customers, there are still around 12,000 appliances to be tracked down and boat owners could easily have one of these cookers.

The Boat Safety Scheme is advising any boat owners with the following appliances to contact the freephone number on 0800 342 3049 to have the appliance modified as soon as they can.

See also these websites

http://www.belling.co.uk/SAFETY-NOTICE_p61.aspx

http://www.newworldappliances.co.uk/SAFETY-NOTICE_p25.aspx

http://www.leisurecp.co.uk/cookersafetynotice/index.php

http://www.beko.co.uk/cookersafetynotice

The latest version of ALERT is now available on this website here as a down-loadable PDF file.

We have distributed this version in advance of the receipt of the paper versions normally delivered to AWCC Clubs and other interested parties to alleviate the possibility that the paper version may be delayed due to the current postal dispute.

If you have any comments or experience downloading or using the file, please let us know via the contact form on this website.

Hillingdon Canal Club has 2 x 20′ moorings and 1 x 28′ mooring available.

If you are interested and would like more details, please contact John Grittini, Vice Commodore on 07717 447824 or 07956 814765

The Club webite is at http://hillingdoncanalclub.website.orange.co.uk/

The IWA have launched their SOS 2010 campaign against the threat of underinvestment in the Waterways.

The campaign states:

“The aim of SOS 2010 is to encourage all local waterways stakeholders – societies, trusts, boat hire companies, businesses, local community groups – to collaborate locally and to pursue local action, such as towpath events and communication with the local media, publicising the effect of the cuts on the quality of local waterways.

We are calling upon all stakeholders to work together and in partnership with local navigation authority managers to identify issues of poor maintenance and slipping standards, especially those issues affecting safety.”

More information is available on the IWA website at:

http://www.waterways.org.uk/SOS2010

You can download their campaing poster here here and their leaflet here

David and Sue Botham accepting the prize from the AWCC Free Prize Draw, held at the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) National Waterways Festival (NWF) 2009, held this year at Redhill on the River Soar.

David and Sue from Chesterfield, members of Sea Otter Owners Club and Boaters Christian Fellowship (BCF), both AWCC Clubs, seen here in their boat “Amethyst” about to set off for a BCF gathering at Wolsey bridge.

The AWCC Free Prize Draw held at this years NWF as part of the AWCC exhibition stand drew many people to take part, the prize a “Dream Pot” thermal cooker (a modern version of the hay box of times past) was sponsored by the supplier Cobb Barbeques.

David and Sue will now be able to test their “Dream Pot” while cruising up the Trent & Mersey Canal.

TB.

AWCC to attend National Waterway Festival.

The AWCC will be attending the Inland Waterways Association National Waterway Festival 2009 at Redhill over August Bank Holiday.  The AWCC stand (J15) will be manned every day by at least one member of the National Executive as well as boat club members from all over the Country.

If you are at the Festival come along for a chat and let the Exec Members know what YOU want from the Association.

There will be a Free Prize Draw for all to enter, with a prize of the brand new Cobb Dream Pot. You’ve heard of Cobb Barbeque and now they are producing the Dream Pot, a modern day version of the hay box, thermal cooker of old.

We will 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 a Club in the area you are interested in.

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

If you want to volunteer for a short spell on the stand, then just turn up and offer yourself, the more the merrier.

You’re welcome!

AWCC Calendars are now available to buy priced at £4 each plus delivery.

Place your order now to guarantee getting one or more.

Clubs featured are :

• Wilderness at the (Falkirk) Wheel (night view on title page, daylight view inside)
• A Crisp Winter’s Day at Thrupp CC
• Broken Cross on the Thames (cruising under Tower bridge)
• South Pennine Boat Club  (Aerial)
• St Pancras Cruising Club at the (Thames) Barrier
• Bridge 27, Caldon Canal, looking into the Stoke on Trent BC arm
• Dunstable Boat Club.
• Sale Cruising Club in its 50th year
• Saul Junction Boat Owners Club moorings
• Lichfield Cruising Club, Wyreley and Essington Arm
• Sandiacre Lock Cottages, HQ of Erewash CPDA
• Coventry Cruising Club moorings
• Lea and Stort meets Cutweb, Eckington Bridge, R Avon (January 2011)

Size approx 148mm x 420mm

Orders can be placed with your Region Quartermaster or through me

Terence Balchin, on 0115 925 2917 or inkers@btopenworld.com

Collection can be at IWA NWF 2009 at Redhill, or by arrangement.

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 »