NN Editor John Sadler speaks The ‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ has rapidly given way to winter, hopefully not of discontent. Meetings have recently taken place at which the Canal and River Trust seem to have taken note of boater’s opinions and produced an action plan based on improving navigation. This is very promising […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

First they came for the continuous cruisers Editor John Sadler on the inequity of CRT’s current funding model “Every movement that seeks to enslave a community needs a minority group to use as a scapegoat, which it can blame for its distress and use as a justification of its own dictatorial powers. ” Although in […]

Editorial I have now finished my summer cruise and am pleased to say back at my home mooring. It’s hard not to sink into a depression, Autumn on its way, lack of funds, increasing structural failures, lack of dredging, looming canal closures…… I started to think about the reasons behind the current canal network demise. […]

Editorial As the scent of honeysuckle wafts through an open window and is subsequently overpowered by the inimitable odour of barbecue from a neighbour, I realise summer has indeed arrived. I have received over 50 notices of works and other stoppages in the last week, the presentation of the notices is not great. The headline […]

Editors Column On November 22nd 2022 in a commons debate Michal Fabricant (MP for Lichfield), made an impassioned speech, in support of Canal and River Trust, volunteers and their efforts to maintain and restore the network. However, there was a distinct warning in his summary of what is to come: ‘Everyone here realises the importance […]

What a time to take up the challenge of editor! Following an experienced editor of many years, I have a lot to learn, not least hundreds of new acronyms. At first sight there seems to be innumerable committees and guidance groups, each with their own agenda and abbreviations. I have some experience of inland boating […]