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WE ARE told by the people wanting to construct yet another marina on the Trent & Mersey Canal, this time at Northwich, that the proposed 40 berths marina development will create—wait for it—'up to 230 jobs'.
And still another ridiculous statistic—'A total of 82 per cent gave their full support for the plans with 14 per cent expressing support with reservations'.
They are trying to tell us that a colossal 94% of Northwich are in favour of another marina. Do you believe it?
Hold on a minute, the developer H20, we are told, is 'a joint venture company owned by British Waterways and private developer bloc.
That explains it!
Best of the lot
But it still does not beat British Waterways and Inland Waterways Association continuing claim that there are 300,000,000 annual visits to the waterways—that's six visits for every man, woman and child in the country!
I've asked relations and acquaintances how many times they have visited a waterway last year, and with very few exceptions they say none. Do the same, ask the people you meet in normal everyday life how many times they have visited a waterway last year. You'll be surprised that for the huge majority they just don't exist.
Missed the point
The rather involved article by one Philip Ridal, proclaiming the attributes of the finances of British Waterways Marinas Ltd I thought rather missed the point.
Okay, nothing wrong with investments, but surely the whole point of investments is to provide cash for the waterways, not to spend it on itself and keep buying.
Under no stretch of the imagination can something that has been soaking cash up for eight years yet given nothing to the waterways be deemed an investment. Bottomless pit is my description.
It is now, when the waterways are is such a parlous state, that the so-called investment should be providing some return. Or will it be another eight years, or ad infinitum...
I wonder why
When Sawley Marina first went into the yachting scheme, it was only our Thomas, out of all the media, who attended giving publicity, and even supplying photographs.
But now I see an article by old buddy Harry Arnold, especially invited to Sawley to record the presentation of five gold stars, or whatever they are, as part of some yachting scheme or other, with ner a word to Thomas—so much for loyalty.
What the four gold stars were awarded for is not mentioned, other than Rod Grant telling that BWML would continue to invest in services at all its marinas.
Not at all sure about these services, it has nothing like the services of either the new Mercia or Aston marinas, and doesn't even have the customary facility of DIY blacking or anywhere to do a bit of painting.
Another rather suspect award—perhaps that's why Thomas wasn't invited!
Ahh—but...
 One good thing Sawley Marina can boast of is the Old Chandlery Restaurant, with definitely none of the plastic 'two for £10' meals so prevalent in the area.
Chef Jerome (pictured with Chris) turns out some excellent fare, which is why we can often be seen there. If you haven't tried it, you will be in for a treat. And for you who like your fish and chips, Jerome turns them out all day Fridays.
A sacred cow?
All that narrowboatworld did was quote a councillor from Derbyshire County Council who stated "Tourism is an integral part of the Derbyshire Dales economy and the work will enable boats to be run on the canal for the first time in many years." Referring to the Cromford Canal.
This was part of the silly BBC statement that 'A Derbyshire canal is set to open to boats', as just over a mile of the canal at its terminus was to be dredged.
 Well, we all know that is absolute rubbish, there's no way that boats will use that small section of the Cromford that is still in water, a canal that is mostly derelict, and to my mind has little chance of being restored. (The picture shows part of the tall embankment carrying the dual A38 that has to be crossed.)
And out went the teddies—with email after email complaining—yet all we did was quote a councillor, and point out he was wrong.
Missing
 Most sorry I have been missing for a few weeks—I don't care for the ice and snow of England.
Anyway, here's a picture I took whilst on holiday of She Who Must, etc, etc sunning it, would you believe at the top of a lighthouse...
Have you voted?
I wonder how many of you bothered to vote for the the minuscule four who will be representing boaters out of the 35 on the proposed Canal & River Trust council?
Mind you, with so few, perhaps you should at least get the right candidates. Not being a licence holder I couldn't vote, but She Who Must, etc, etc could, and brought me her voting form that we went through.
She picked out four, but none who had any connection with any association, as like I gather many others, she thought such candidates will obviously toe their association's party lines.
So none from either the Inland Waterways Association or the Resident Boaters had her vote. Mind you, with candidate Clive Henderson being both boss man of the Inland Waterways Association and British Waterways Board observer, there's no knowing which party line he would be toeing. Anyway he didn't get She Who Must's vote.
It has to be said...
All over the country, relatives and friends of intoxicated people who have fallen into the waterways and drowned, are blaming those who serve them drinks, those who let them walk home, lack of fencing, lack of lighting and God knows what else, but never it seems the persons themselves. But remember...
Your safety is your responsibility.
Victor Swift
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