If you or anyone you know would like a helping hand and could do with a bag of coal or wood from Pay It Forward, please fill out this quick form below or get in touch with floatyboatfund@gmail.com
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNgbB3d5oJBtKPvXiCiiD9fonHDhQ8CbaPHX0ZA4XcvUIDNg/viewform
The second meeting of the new Kennet & Avon Boaters Association takes place tomorrow, Thursday 7th December 2023, at 6pm to 11pm. There will be a Community update on the activities of the association; family-friendly films between 6pm and 7pm, and more boater-orientated short films later. The meeting will take place at the Party Spot at Horsefield, below the towpath between Smelly Bridge and Avoncliff aqueduct.
The lane where boaters park their vehicles in Wilcot has been ‘landscaped’ to make parking impossible, according to boaters who are moored there. On 24th October, rubble and earth was piled up along the whole length of the lane on both sides, making a steep bank as shown in the photographs below. This was done even though there were some boaters’ cars parked in the lane at the time.
Julian House Travelling Communities Support Service will be visiting Bradford Lock on 7th November 2023 and Caen Hill Marina on 14th November 2023 with nb Litania at 11am to 4.30pm. They will be providing Covid 19 and Flu vaccinations to boaters who are in the eligible groups: age 65 and over and other people who are eligible due to specific health conditions etc. There will also be support and information on welfare; other health matters, and free Boat Fire Safety packs and first aid kits.
BaNES Council is recruiting for a project manager with knowledge of boating to lead its Better Moorings Project. The closing date for applications is 5th November. See https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/ and search for Better Moorings Project Manager.
BaNES Council says that the Better Moorings Project is:
Public Health Wiltshire is running a boaters’ survey to find out about the health and other needs of liveaboard boaters who live or travel in Wiltshire. The purpose of the survey is to determine what boaters’needs are and how they can be met. The more boaters who complete the survey, the more evidence there is for extending or setting up services such as Julian House Travelling Communities Support into Wiltshire and the K&A canal.
You can complete the survey online here
https://surveys.wiltshire.gov.uk/s/boaters
There will be a boaters’ meeting to discuss the CRT surcharges for boats without a home mooring; lack of facilities; lack of waterway maintenance and other issues that affect the community of liveaboard boaters on the K&A, and what we can do to protect our way of life.
The meeting will take place at 5pm on Sunday 15th October 2023 at the Wallington Hall, Church St, Bradford on Avon BA15 1LN. Church St is opposite the Dandy Lion pub; the hall used to be called the Masonic Hall or the Church Hall.