NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BOAT OWNERSVoices 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 known. […]
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 […]
Calor Confirmation of 3.9kg and 4.5kg Cylinders
Just before Christmas, Calor’s Network Team reaffirmed that Calor is to continue to supply the 3.9kg propane and 4.5kg butane cylinder sizes and is working hard to return supply to normal as soon as possible. The BSS welcomes this latest announcement to continue to supply these smaller cylinders as it could mean that boaters may […]
Boaters Reps Meeting, 23rd October
Helen Hutt reports Well, folks, this was quite something. First on the agenda was, of course, the new licensing proposals. Matthew Symonds, CRT Boating Manger, made it clear from the outset that this is a done deal, acknowledging that there will be adverse reactions, no amount of complaining will change CRT’s mind. They are confident […]
