NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BOAT OWNERSSummer is a goin’ out
Chair Anne Husar writes And there went summer. Although it might have felt unremittingly cool and wet, according to the Met Office, neither temperature nor rainfall were anything other than average compared to previous years. There are numerous reports from boaters that the canals were quieter this summer than usual, with many noticing hire bases […]
Autumnal musings
Editor John Sadler writes: The ‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ has descended rapidly this year, just in time to welcome us to our home mooring. As ever, there’s a bit of damage to repair before the winter sets in and some maintenance scheduled for the cooler months. We set out in June, in winter […]
Voices for change
Expressions of dissatisfaction have featured heavily this month. The change of government brought about by the General Election may be the most momentous statement of this. A new government means new MPs to write to. Every boater with an MP whose constituency includes any of the UK’s inland waterways needs to make their concerns […]
In the Chair
It’s May and the UK’s weather has taken a turn for the better. The day boats from the local boatyard have crew that are slightly less well wrapped up as they motor past. Hire boat businesses seem to be doing a better trade too, with boats from at least ten different bases regularly passing us […]
Time for change?
Editor John Sadler comments As I was thinking about writing this editorial the news broke of a general election in six weeks time. I suppose you can pretty much ignore what legislation may have been on the books until the result is declared. Parliament will be dissolved and much will be promised before our votes […]
A Month of Meetings.
Chair Anne Husar reflects on the month Such is the lot of a chairperson as the calendar fills with some face to face but mainly online meetings these days. Convenient if chancy with the capricious wifi at our mooring, they remain a great way to maintain NABO’s reputation for keeping current boater issues on the […]
Money, Money, Money
Editor John Sadler on funding For anyone who read last month’s editorial it seems I might have put too much trust in the veracity of information published. A letter by Iain Street correcting some of the misconceptions is published in the letters section. It’s no surprise as I’m writing, accompanied by the gentle patter of […]
Seven Trent Water don’t want toilet blue.
Severn Trent Water, which operates many wastewater treatment plants in the Midlands, has started banning tankered elsan waste which contains formaldehyde. Other water companies are likely to follow. Boats with a pump out should have no need to add chemicals to their tank (unless it is a drop through). But the majority of boats, as […]
Chairmans column January 2024
Looking back, looking ahead Chair Anne Husar reflects on a sunny winter’s day As I write this, there’s a beautifully clear blue sky from which the sun is streaming in through the portholes, warming the boat even though outside there’s a smattering of snow on the towpath. The canal contains plenty of water and there’s […]
NABO News editorial January 24
A tale of two countries Editor John Sadler goes north I made a road trip last year to Scotland, spending the first night at The Kelpies, by the canal, and returning after a few days further North to the Falkirk Wheel. Of course I had to experience the canal lift. In the speech that accompanied […]
