Graham Worton: Chairman's Report
Spring seems to be in the air at last which makes me think about getting out on the cut again. I'll be staying around the BCN for most of the Summer as there are quite a number of events that I want to attend, then off to Oxford in the Autumn. I have been busy sorting out the event permissions and temporary event notices for our own functions. Thanks to Arthur Farge, our Health & Safety Officer for sorting out the risk assessments.
I am trying to locate a suitable cabinet to house Martin O'Keefe's collection of books. One of those metal office cabinets which measure about 3 1/2 feet wide by 1 1/2 feet deep x 6ft high would be ideal. If anybody knows of one that is surplus to requirements I would be very pleased to hear from them.
I am afraid that no one has come forward to help with presevation of our canal heritage. It's all very well talking about preserving the canal heritage but unless people are prepared to help with the work I doubt that little useful progress will be made. On a more positive note, Ivor Caplan has agreed to coordinate the BCN Society approach to planning issues.
At the time of writing 18 enties have been received for the Marathon Challenge which is most encouraging.
If anyone is interested in participating in the Marathon Challenge as part of the crew on Atlas & Malus or as a "scrutineer", please let me know.
The Explorer Cruise will call at the Pelsall boat gathering on Saturday 15th August. If you intend to go to the Pelsall boat gathering and have the time,why not enter the Explorer Cruise and see a lot more of the BCN?.(See Events Section for details)
By the time you read this, some of us will have taken Atlas to Ellesmere Port Boat Museum to pick up the old Sulzer pump that used to work at Tiford pumphouse, which the Boat Museum has to the society. It is hoped to make it a static exhibit outside the pumphouse with information on display inside.
I hope that we can use Atlas & Malus to attract younger people to the Society. The average age of oue members is increasing and anything we can do to attract younger members must be worthwhile. If young people can be encouraged to come and learn to use our boats, those who retain an interest will become the next generation of boaters and BCN Society members.
If anyone has a small television with an integral DVD player which is surplus to requirements, it would be very useful for the Society's stand at events. Also, if anyone speaks Czechoslovakian I would be very pleased to hear from them as the Society needs the services of an interpreter to help with a problem.
I'm now off to pressure wash Atlas's hold, fit the bilge pumps & place the boards ready for the Ellesmere trip.
I look forward to meeting you all out and about on the cut.
Best Wishes
Graham Whorton
