News

As it happens, we will get it out to you.

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

Sunday, 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.

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

Thursday, 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.

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

Sunday, 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

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

Sunday, 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.

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Boaters’ showers every Tuesday in Devizes

Thursday, 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.

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Help Bristol Harbour boaters fight huge mooring fee hikes

Monday, April 3rd, 2023

Bristol’s harbour community is seeking a Judicial Review against Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees’ Cabinet decision to implement unreasonable new harbour fees and charges, without conducting stakeholder consultation.

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K&A Floating Fayre, Bathampton 8th and 9th April

Sunday, April 2nd, 2023

The K&A Floating Fayre is coming to Bathampton for its spring outing! Come to the canal by the George Inn and the nearby Jubilee Gardens on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th April 2023. Roving canal traders will be selling unique art, crafts and jewellery; also records, bike repairs, gifts of all kinds, food and drink. There will be music and buskers, including the Towpath Singers.

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Court cases started over denial of energy bills support

Wednesday, March 29th, 2023

In spite of extensive efforts by all boater organisations, and even by CRT, to get the Minster and senior Government officials in the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (now called Energy Security and Net Zero) to include itinerant liveaboard boaters in the Energy Bills Support Scheme, our community has been excluded, along with itinerant vehicle and caravan dwellers. The Government web page for the scheme says that the grant is “under review” for both communities, but there is no information on the reasons for the review or how long it will take.

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Only 9 days left to respond to CRT’s discriminatory Licence Fee ‘Consultation’

Tuesday, March 28th, 2023

CRT’s consultation on future boat licence pricing proposes to impose higher fees for boats without a home mooring. Have you filled in the consultation survey yet? Please oppose this attack on our community by rejecting it in the questionnaire! The deadline is 4pm on Thursday 6th April 2023. You have only 9 days left to respond!

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Oppose licence fee increases for boaters without a home mooring and widebeams!

Wednesday, March 1st, 2023

Canal & River Trust’s consultation on future boat licence pricing proposes to impose higher fees for boats without a home mooring. Please oppose this attack on our community by rejecting it in the consultation questionnaire! The consultation runs until 4pm on Thursday 6th April 2023.

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