AWCC

A few photographs of Stoke-on-Trent B C protesters at Cow Lane bridge in Chester.

A successful day, we had people queuing up to sign the petition.

You may know me from other roles past and present, the latter as Chairman of the Foxton Inclined Plane Trust.

However, it is in my newly acquired post as User Group Liaison Officer on the Save Our Waterways Steering Group and more particularly as Organiser of the Leicester Community Protest, that I write tonight seeking your help.

One of the aims of the Protest is to make the lower or non feepaying users of the waterways aware of the threat posed by the Defra cuts and to encourage them to take an active role in challenging Government to reinstate the BW and EA funding this year and to ensure that it is maintained in the future.

Although it is reasonable to assume that boaters already take this view, we believe that a major part of a waterway’s attraction is the boats that cruise and moor thereon. Therefore I am writing to ask if you could encourage your members to take part, preferably by boat, in the Leicester Community Protest, in which Sir Peter Soulsby, who led the adjournment debate in the Commons, is playing a leading and supportive role.

For your, and your members’, benefit, I append the provisional timetable for the Protest.

Boaters are asked to arrive at Castle Gardens moorings on Saturday, 3rd March, with their boats suitably adorned with protest banners, placards etc. It is intended to hold an informal ‘Boaters’ Gathering’ in the evening.

PROTEST DAY is SUNDAY, MARCH 4TH

• 12 Noon: Boats will form a symbolic blockade of the waterway, opposite Castle Gardens.
• 1.30 p.m. All protesters will move into town and form up outside the Clock Tower
• 2 p.m. Addresses to protesters and public from MPs and ?Leader of the Council ( a boater!!! )
• 2.30 p.m. Protesters to march from Clock Tower to Castle Gardens (c15 mins) led by MPs*
  and IWA Leics.
• 3.00 p.m. Event Organiser to make short speech of thanks to all participants.
• 3.10 p.m. MPs and IWA/SoW members to circulate among those present to stress the
  importance of ALL waterway users and supporters making their views about the Defra cuts
  known to Government and encouraging them to sign petition forms making their alliegance clear.
• 4.00 p.m. Protest ends.

Notes: Times are approximate and subject to confirmation.

* Sir Peter Soulsby and David Taylor have intimated that they will encourage other Leicester and Leicestershire MPs to attend and it is hoped that City Councillors will also support the event.

Further details can be obtained from me on 01530 458 257 or dj.stevenson7@ntlworld.com.

I hope you will make your members aware of the Protest and encourage them to take part.

Kind Regards,

David Stevenson

IWA Leics/SOW Leicester Protest Organiser.