In the Chair March 2023 By the time you read this, we hope that there might just be some clarity about the future funding of both CRT and the Waterways part of the EA – I say “we hope” as it has all been so delayed, and the opinion being expressed in both organisations is […]

I must start by welcoming our new NABO News Editor, John Sadler, who has bravely stepped forward to take over from Peter Fellows, who is leaving the waterways and decamping to live in Ireland! And what a hard act he will be to follow – each year, Peter has somehow managed to develop NABO News […]

Annual Report 2022 A busy year for the Association and an uncertain future for the waterways. Mike Rodd addresses the AGM. There is a vital role for NABO in these times, when the continuing state funding of both CRT and the EA is coming up for review – right in the midst of a totally […]

A critical time for the canals Mike Rodd is concerned about the very existence of some of our waterways. This is THE most critical time – not only for the future of the present canal operators, the Canal and River Trust – but indeed for the whole future of our amazing waterways. I was shaken […]

Mike Rodd contemplates future CRT funding, BSS examinations and ‘composite’ lock-gates during an extended cruise. How good it was to have another real meeting at Alvechurch, even if a few folk couldn’t make it – damn nuisance this boating! Good to see the pub flourishing and many boats moving. But strangely on the K&A we are […]

In the Chair Effects of ‘bonfire of the quangos’ start to hit home Mike Rodd analyses how DEFRA policy is driving the change in emphasis by CRT and the EA away from boating. We’ve seen many intriguing responses to our appeal for members to write to their MPs asking for support for CRT to continue […]

Crunch-time soon? Mike Rodd peers into a very uncertain future for the waterways. The coming months are going to be absolutely critical for all of us who boat on our inland waterways, as it is clear that reports into the futures of both CRT and the EA – as I have mentioned in my previous […]

In the Chair Mike Rodd takes part in the Defra consultation on Government funding. So far, a very mild winter has meant that we can all go out and do some lovely, quiet winter cruising. For my wife and me this always means – after her hectic Christmastime as our vicar – diving out straight […]

Mike Rodd’s 2020-21 Annual Report to the AGM This has been a particularly interesting year and especially a real joy to be working with so many new members of your Council, even if the bulk of meetings have had to be via the internet. It has also been encouraging to see a small increase in […]

Mike Rodd believes that this is what the new words in CRT’s terms and conditions are saying, even though CRT denies this. At last we were able to have a real NABO Council meeting and it was such a pleasure to meet our new councillors physically! It is amazing how we have coped over the […]