AWCC News

Richard Parry opens the AWCC 60th. Anniversary Rally

This year is the 60^th Anniversary of the founding of the AWCC, The Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs.

The Association, which was initially formed by just four clubs, St. Pancras, Dunstable, Lee & Stort and Uxbridge, has expanded to include 83 member clubs which comprise nearly all of England's Inland Waterways boat and cruising clubs. Between them they have around 6,000 affiliated boaters.

When founded, the initial purpose of the Association was to give support to their member clubs’ boaters when cruising away from their home waters or base, whether in need of safe moorings, technical support or help in a family or other emergency.

As times have changed this role has since expanded to include the representation of the interests of leisure boaters with regular meetings with the Canal & River Trust at both Regional and National level. The AWCC has a nominated seat on the C&RT council and an elected member serving on the Trust's appointments committee. The Association is also represented on the Technical, Advisory and Management Committees of the Boat Safety Scheme, again safeguarding its members interests.

To celebrate the Anniversary the Association held a Rally hosted by the Lichfield Cruising Club over the weekend of the 10^th and 11^th August which was officially opened by the Canal & River Trust's chief executive, Richard Parry.  In his opening address Richard complimented the AWCC on its work over the sixty years since its founding. He said “I’m delighted to have been invited to the AWCC 60th celebrations. The Canal and River Trust will continue to work hard towards keeping all the waterways open for you to cruise.  The AWCC are a fundamental organisation who work closely with CRT”.  Richard was accompanied by CRT boating manager, Matthew Symonds.

The highly successful weekend, which also benefitted from good weather, was attended by over 100 AWCC members and their boats from twenty clubs from all over England. There were thirty visiting boats while some members, unable to attend by boat due to navigational issues, came by camper van or car.  They were entertained with various activities and entertainments plus a performance from the excellent and appropriately named band “No Direction” who donated their fees plus a collection from the audience amaounting to some £600 to the Parkinsons UK charity.

Although individual boaters cannot join the Association, they can become members for free by joining one of the AWCC's affiliated boat and cruising clubs.

Being a member of a boat club brings numerous benefits including advice and help from experienced club members, in most cases an active calendar of social events outside of the cruising season and the opportunity to safely moor your boat at other member clubs while on an extended cruise to return home or to attend to other important activities. Clubs are always ready to help a member of another boat club whenever they have a mechanical of family emergency.

A number of clubs are also able to offer permanent leisure moorings at extremely competitive rates in return for help and regular support in maintaining their club’s facilities. Some clubs even have dry docks for the exclusive use of their members, again at very competitive rates, and other facilities often as good as those available at commercial marinas.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, it has been necessary to change the date and location of the AWCC 60th Anniversary Rally. This will now be held at Lichfield Cruising Club from Friday 9th August to Sunday, 11th August, 2024. For further details see the Events page. Booking forms for members of AWCC clubs are available from the members area Events page at: 

https://awcc.org.uk/members/events.php?year=2024

I am happy to report that after fund raising, T.C.C. has had two defibrillators installed. One is by the main gate to the site and the other is on the blockhouse by the railway bridge. Both use 'What 3 Words' to help emergency services find us. The main gate uses 'senior,learn,space' and the one on the blockhouse uses 'mirror.hike.pulse'

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

Date: 12 February 2024

Fund Britain’s Waterways (FBW) to provide members the opportunity to quiz Navigation Authorities

FBW was launched at the end of June 2023 in response to the inadequate funding and deteriorating state of Britain’s network of canals and navigable rivers. Despite the widespread appreciation of the value of this unique and well-loved national asset and the benefits it delivers, the Government appears intent on significantly reducing its funding. Through FBW more than 110 organisations are campaigning together for national and local government to act now and protect the public benefit and natural capital of our waterways.

FBW’s activities to date have focused on raising awareness of the challenges facing our canals and rivers and the message that increased and sustainable funding is needed. Three well-reported Campaign Cruises were held in 2023, in Birmingham, Gloucester and past the Palace of Westminster on the Thames. In 2024 there will be a weekend of action over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend (4 to 6 May 2024). This will comprise a series of events across the country on waterways managed by different inland navigation authorities, in addition to IWA’s annual Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice in London. It will culminate in a second Campaign Cruise past the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday 8 May, when Parliamentarians will be invited to view the event and express their support for the continued maintenance of the waterways.

At the same time as campaigning for increased funding for navigation authorities, FBW recognises the importance of those navigation authorities being able to explain how they are making the best possible use of funds for the waterways. FBW will therefore be holding sessions with major navigation authorities, starting with the Canal & River Trust on Wednesday 10 April 2024. 

The sessions will be chaired by FBW and live streamed to FBW members, with a recording and written notes of the meeting to be made publicly available at a later date. FBW members are invited to submit detailed written questions, which will be collated and submitted to each navigation authority two weeks in advance of its meeting. FBW will then ask the questions in the meeting and the navigation authority will provide detailed answers, both in person in the meeting and also in writing.

Les Etheridge, Chair of FBW said “By arranging these sessions we are enabling FBW members to ask questions on any area including those where reservations are publicly expressed.  These will be positive and constructive sessions which we hope will benefit both the navigation authority and FBW”  

About Fund Britain’s Waterways (FBW): FBW brings together a wide range of organisations with the sole purpose of campaigning collectively for an increase in government funding of Britain’s inland waterways to avert their decline, and to promote awareness of the huge economic, environmental and social well-being value they provide. Established in June 2023, it already has over 110 members representing hundreds of thousands of users and supporters of inland waterways. 

Contact:

For further information about Fund Britain’s Waterways, or to submit a question for the Canal & River Trust session (by 13 March 2024), contact info@fundbritainswaterways.org.uk

Dear Members and Supporters, 

  Update on Fund Britain’s Waterways (FBW) including the public petition and the Westminster Campaign Cruise Tuesday 14th November  

FBW continues to bring all those interested in our inland waterways together and is attracting wide public support for its campaign to safeguard the future of Britain’s unique network of inland waterways.  This email is to remind all members of the key messages FBW is working to convey and to alert you to next month’s Westminster Campaign Cruise on 14^th November which is still open for boat registration.

Now with almost 100 organisations as members FBW is not only seeking an increase in future funding of the waterways managed by the Canal and River Trust and the Environment Agency but also assurance that there will be adequate investment to safely maintain the network, including those waterways managed by smaller navigation authorities.  FBW’s key message is that Britain’s inland waterways are a highly valued national asset for all and must be safeguarded for future generations to come.  As you know, they are enjoyed by millions of people each year and their associated businesses provide crucial employment for communities up and down the land. However, without sustainable funding arrangements going forward all is being put at risk.  Therefore, please continue to use every possible means, including social media channels, to help raise awareness of #FundBritainsWaterways and encourage people to sign FBW’s public petition which is set to soon exceed 50,000 signatures.    

Maintaining FBW’s momentum in the run up to the next General Election is essential. It is why we will continue to plan further events for the Spring following next month’s Westminster Campaign Cruise which will build on the recent success of campaign cruises in Birmingham and Gloucester.  The November Westminster Campaign Cruise will involve a good variety of boats including narrow boats and working boats. The flotilla will make its way along the Thames from West India Dock to Westminster Bridge for around midday on Tuesday 14^th November subject to weather conditions.  The boats are expected to hold position for a short time off the Palace of Westminster before returning to West India Dock where all mooring fees have been waived for this campaign cruise.  Boats can still register up to 24^th October to join the cruise and there are also some spaces left for competent crew. 

If you are unable to participate on the water but would like to show you support by joining others on Westminster Bridge that day please contact Frances Phasey on Tel 07734 038 297 who can sign you up to the supporters WhatsApp group.  In this way you will be kept fully up to date on the progress of the boats and their expected time of arrival at Westminster.  For more details, including on registration and itinerary, please view FBW’s website page: www.fundbritainswaterways.org.uk 

With best wishes,

Les Etheridge 

  Chair

  Fund Britain’s Waterways