h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello Sailor,
I've been taking a break from hootoo but I'm back now with my two new Springer pups in tow. Mrs WA and I have, over the years, enjoyed many of the English canals: Trent & Mersey, Leeds Liverpool, Caldon, Shropshire, Llangollen, Staffs & Worcs to name a few. I, like you, am incensed that DEFFRA's total incompetency, regarding the single farm payment, has now caused British Waterways funding to be axed.

Not only are canals lateral nature reserves but it has also been proven that refurbishing a canal is a guaranteed, permannet method of raisng the standard of the surounding country. Look at some of the tasty housing developments that have been built alongside canals and the employment that the pubs and small busineses bring to the area.

Another important benefit is the health aspect. As you know the number of cyclists, joggers and walkers that use canal footpaths is great. Also recently didn't I read that teaching young scallys to fish is proving to be a very effective way of improving their behaviour.

Right where's that Blog
WA

WA, you are so right. There was a piece on our local TV tonight, and also in the local paper. The narrowboat owners, and all the business people involved with the canals are up in arms here in the West Midlands. It affects so many people - their work, leisure and environment.

There is a meeting at noon on Sunday at the junction of the canals in BIrmingham city (all welcome) centre which is expected to be big. This decision is so shortsighted and mean. Without getting in to politics though it is what we have come to expect. I do wonder when people will really wake up and start to protest in earnest at all the cuts, and the wasted money, and the mismanagement of so many issues.

I am getting hot under the collar so I had better go, but thanks so much for your input. It is good to know someone reads my articles in !. Hopefully they will make people think, even if they don't agree with what I .

Lovely to hear from you again. Regards to Mrs WA and a pat for the springer pups. I them.


Websailor

If I was still living in Birmingham, I would come with you. As is, I'm going to keep trying to spread awareness.

It's something that angers me too. I may be new to the Waterways, but now I've found them I don't want to let them go without a fight.

Let's keep spreading the word.

Thanks, Vio,

I got the channel on the BBC wrong, but two out of three isn't bad for a !! The programme was on BBC 1, but in the local slot mid programme, so it may not have been covered nationwide. There was an excellent turnout with narrowboats clogging up Gas Street Basin, and plenty of onlookers. Manchester and Walsall had their say too and apparently there will be a big protest in London soon.

It makes me so angry after all the work that has been done, an awful lot of it by volunteers. It has been proven that re-generation of the waterways benefits localities all along the routes, not to mention wildlife. It is such a short sighted decision. I do hope the protests have the desired effect.

I am popping over to your PS so I know who I am talking to, as I don't recollect seeing your name before. Nice to see you anyway.


Websailor

It does seem an odd decision too- it seems so clear cut that the funding reaps such rewards, but perhaps there is some issues that we aren't being told (although that seems unlikely to me).

Apologies for my Space being so bare. I have seen your name around, but I don't think we have ever had a conversation or discussion together before. Good to meet you.