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Select Committee seeks testimony from people excluded from Energy Bills Support Scheme – send your story to Parliament before 25th August!

July 29th, 2023

The Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) Parliamentary Committee is to carry out an inquiry into Preparing for the Winter, including the continued exclusion of boat dwellers and other itinerant or off-grid households from the Government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS). The Committee will hear verbal and written evidence in September 2023. You can send your own testimony to the Committee by email to commonsesnz@parliament.uk or by post to-Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. You can also submit evidence online here: https://committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/3185/

The deadline for submitting your evidence is 25th August.

Kennet and Avon Floating Summer Fayre, Bath, July 29th and 30th

July 27th, 2023

The Kennet and Avon Floating Fayre will be at Darlington Wharf, Bath this weekend on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th July 2023 from 10am to 5pm with a fantastic array of traders and entertainment.

Dog Rose Crafts will be at the Floating Fayre. Photo: Dog Rose Crafts

Healthwatch advice sessions to help boaters get access to healthcare

July 19th, 2023

Healthwatch Wiltshire is to run two advice sessions to help boaters get access to the healthcare they need. These will be on Friday 21st July 12pm to 4pm at the Canal Tavern, Bradford on Avon (below lock 14), and Saturday 29th July 12pm to 4pm at the Barge Inn, Honey Street. Come along if you need any advice registering yourself or your child with a GP, getting hospital treatment, and other issues.

Last chance to get your Covid-19 vaccine free of charge before 30th June

June 18th, 2023

The NHS has provided Covid-19 vaccinations free of charge to all adults and children aged 5 and over. After 30th June 2023, vaccinations will only be available for people who are at higher risk from severe Covid-19, and for most people they will usually only be available seasonally. If you’ve only had one Covid-19 vaccination, or none at all, make sure you get yours before 30th June.

Boaters invited to meet local MP and press to raise exclusion from Government energy grant, tomorrow 16th June, 3pm, Caen Hill Marina

June 15th, 2023

Liveaboard boaters, both with and without a home mooring, are invited to a meeting with Danny Kruger, the MP for Devizes, tomorrow Friday 16th June 2023 at 3pm at Caen Hill Marina to continue to lobby for liveaboard boaters to be included in the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS). The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald will attend from 4pm; BBC Radio Wiltshire is also interested in covering the exclusion of liveaboard boaters from the EBSS. The meeting has been organised by Devizes Food Bank.

Julian House fortnightly Drop-In Sessions

April 24th, 2023

Julian House Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Boater and Showman Support Service is running fortnightly drop-in sessions providing advice and guidance on benefits and other financial support, healthcare and mental health services, housing and other council services, boat licencing and liaising with CRT, drug and alcohol support, No Fixed Address issues, help with paperwork and more! No need to book, just drop by!

You need photo ID to vote in 4th May local elections

April 23rd, 2023

There will be local elections in England on 4th May 2023. The Elections Act 2022 brought in the requirement to show photographic identification for voters at these and all future elections. If you already have the right ID document, remember to take it when you vote.

If you don’t have one of the accepted forms of photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

If you want to vote on 4th May and you don’t have any of the accepted forms of ID, you will need to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate by 5pm on 25th April or you will be unable to vote.

See https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

CRT rubbish collection by boat, Bath to Bradford on Avon, 25th April

April 23rd, 2023

On Tuesday 25th April 2023 between 10am and 3pm, CRT work boats will be collecting rubbish between Bath and Bradford on Avon. If you have any bulky items such as mattresses, barrels of oil, waste from boat fit-outs etc, just give them a shout as they pass. They will also be doing some litter picking as they go, and boaters are welcome to do their own litter picking and dispose of it as the work boat passes.

Boaters’ showers every Tuesday in Devizes

April 6th, 2023

The St James Centre in Devizes is offering showers (suggested donation £3) and free tea and coffee on Tuesday mornings at 8am to 10am. The centre is in Estcourt Crescent, postcode SN10 1LR, close to the London Road bridge no 138.The shower is on the ground floor and is fully accessible for people with disabilities.

BaNES Council funding for boaters’ fuel costs if you cruise all or partly in the council area

April 5th, 2023

We have heard from a contact in the BaNES Council Public Health department that the Council hopes to continue to offer discretionary payments for fuel in the coming financial year from April 2023. The funding is administered by Citizens Advice.

Kennet and Avon Boating Community Website