Around 20 people spent Sunday afternoon clearing litter from the towpath and the water between Bradford on Avon and Bath. Using boathooks and fishing nets, and carrying the rubbish in wheelbarrows, bike trailers and boats, the group took about four hours to do most of the canal and also Warleigh Weir. Well done to everyone who took part, especially as it was such a hot day. Another clean-up has been suggested for the winter, when it will be easier to find any litter that’s hidden by the undergrowth at this time of year, so watch this space…
Events
Says it all really, anything, everything, if it’s happening we want it here.
Please let us know of anything you want publicised, meetings, gigs, parties…
Done and dusted!
Thursday, May 27th, 2010Kennet and Avon Bi-Centenary at Bathampton
Friday, May 21st, 2010Hello everyone… KevThePipe calling all artists and performers!
The K&A Bicentenary event is taking place at Bathampton Wharf, Saturday 17th July all day, kids stuff in the daytime, bands and films in the evening.
I know word is getting around about this event so now is the time to start getting our arses in gear!
The event is basically being organized by Bathampton residents with the Parish Council providing funding, insurance etc. I’ve been involved from the beginning and I’ve made sure boaters are well represented and we’ll be providing lots of infrastructure but I now need to know who’s up for doing a turn on the stage.
I’ve spoken to a few but need you all to spread the word and get me definite ‘acts’ so I can schedule them in… I’m stage managing the event so my word is law!
contact me in person on ‘Stanley’, by email kevaitch@hotmail.com, by phone 07796 560476 or get me on FaceBook.
Great efforts have been made to repair the relationship between Bathampton residents and boaters and now’s our chance to shine… so come on you stars!
Towpath and water clean-up, Sunday 23 May 12.00
Thursday, May 6th, 2010There will be a towpath and water cleanup organised by boaters on Sunday 23rd May starting at 12.00. The cleanup will start in two places – at Bath (by the 72 hour moorings near Sydney Gardens) AND below Bradford lock by the Lock Inn, meeting in the middle at Dundas. Afterwards we plan to have a barbeque at Dundas.
Bring a wheelbarrow and/or boathook if you have one, and protective gloves. We will provide bin bags, and handwashing facilities at Dundas. We plan to load most of the rubbish onto a boat as we go along, and offload it at Dundas. All towpath users are welcome to participate, whether boaters, cyclists, anglers or walkers.
Boaters’ carol service
Thursday, April 8th, 2010It’s ben a while since Christmas, but we’ve recently been given this photo of the Dundas carol service. Peter Attwill, who led the service, made a point of acknowledging the number of boaters’ children
Read more…
Kennet and Avon Bicentenary Celebrations
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010Plans are under way for a K&A Bicentennial Celebration run jointly with Bathampton Village. Preliminary date is Sat 17th July. We need art for an exhibition and music for a concert so please get some stuff sorted and see me/ring/mail me in the next few weeks. Also need help with lights and electric and sound and setting up and taking down… if you can help in any way then please let me know… thanks people.
KevThePipe on ‘Stanley’
kevaitch@hotmail.com
07796 560476
Your response, your future
Monday, November 30th, 2009Bath
Tuesday 8th December 8pm Love Lounge @ the Bell
Bradford-on-Avon
Thursday 10th December 8pm Canal Tavern
Two meetings, one in Bradford, one in Bath to discuss our collective and individual response to the consultations. As with true sneakiness and contrary to government guidelines on public consultation (yes, there will be a complaint) this consultation straddles Christmas and New Year we feel it is important to get our voice heard as soon as. For the last moorings consultation 8% of the response came from the Western Kennet and Avon. We know that you want to make your voice heard, come along and gather the information and resources to make your response as effective as possible.
There are two consultations running:
1. Moorings Policy for BW’s network in England and Wales, deadline 31 January.
2. Proposals for developing local mooring strategies, deadline 11 January (You may have received a letter about this one, delivered to your boat).
Please be there – BW want to introduce mooring restrictions that could severely restrict our way of life, so responding to these proposals is important for the future of our community! You can read the consultation documents online at:
http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/listening-to-you/consultations-and-reviews/current-consultations
If you can’t come to the meeting, please respond to both consultations. You will find some of our thoughts about the proposals on this website. If you don’t respond your future will be decided without your input.
We cannot emphasis enough how important it is to respond to this consultation, this meeting is a good place to do that.
If you need help getting to either venue, let us know and we’ll co-ordinate lifts.
BW Answers
Saturday, November 28th, 2009well, kind of.
Here are the answers emailed by Damian Kemp to question submitted to the Users Meeting in Devizes, already answered in our post before the meetings is a desultory and content-free way.
Read more…
The Ignoration
Friday, November 20th, 2009Waterways User group Meeting November 19th Wharf Centre Devizes
An opportunity for British Waterways to finally find out what we think?
Or a piece of corporate blandwash?
You decide….
Read more…
Kennet and Avon Users Meeting 19th November Devizes
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009A reminder of the meeting next week – you do want to be there don’t you? Email if you want a lift or can offer a lift.
Questions that require a written answer should be submitted in advance of the meeting to the new Kennet and Avon manager Mark Stephens, mark.stephens@britishwaterways.co.uk and it would be advisable to get them in sharpish.
We have had word of a few of the questions to be asked, these are listed here;
Read more…
Your turn now – User Group Meeting
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009Kennet & Avon Canal User Group 19 Nov 2009 1930 hrs
The Canal Centre, Couch Lane, Devizes , SN10 1EB
This is a real chance to put your point of view to British Waterways. Whereas there is no excuse for the actions and behaviour of British Waterways it is also true that you, the boaters, need to put your side across and here is the opportunity.
Unfortunately any questions will probably be met by political non-answers but the sad reality is that if you are not there then BW will take this a sign that you are happy with their policies and behaviour and any complaint will be that much more difficult.
It is also necessary to have the voices to contradict the false allegations floating around.
If there is enough interest we will arrange a minibus. Email if you would be up for this, or using one of your big vans to take a few people.
You will find an archive for previous meetings here.