Your webmaster has uploaded all the 2025 editions of the AWCC newsletter 'Alert'.
They can be found on the members website, just look for the Alert 2025 menu option at the top left.
There are lots of interesting articles in there, I even contributed one of my own from our first trip on the tidal Thames.
We are pleased to announce the launch of our new, modernized website. We have completely redesigned our online platform to provide you with a more efficient and user-friendly experience.
The updated site features several key improvements:
Modern Design: The new layout is cleaner and more intuitive, making it easier to navigate.
Mobile Optimization: The entire site is fully optimized to work seamlessly on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
Streamlined Navigation: We have simplified the menu and search functions to help you find the information you need quickly.
This redesign is part of our ongoing commitment to enhance our digital services and provide a better experience for our users.
We invite you to explore the new website and see the improvements for yourself.
Richard Parry opens the AWCC 60th. Anniversary Rally
This year is the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the AWCC, The Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs.
The Association, which was initially formed by just four clubs, St. Pancras, Dunstable, Lee & Stort and Uxbridge, has expanded to include 83 member clubs which comprise nearly all of England's Inland Waterways boat and cruising clubs. Between them they have around 6,000 affiliated boaters.
When founded, the initial purpose of the Association was to give support to their member clubs’ boaters when cruising away from their home waters or base, whether in need of safe moorings, technical support or help in a family or other emergency.
As times have changed this role has since expanded to include the representation of the interests of leisure boaters with regular meetings with the Canal & River Trust at both Regional and National level. The AWCC has a nominated seat on the C&RT council and an elected member serving on the Trust's appointments committee. The Association is also represented on the Technical, Advisory and Management Committees of the Boat Safety Scheme, again safeguarding its members interests.
To celebrate the Anniversary the Association held a Rally hosted by the Lichfield Cruising Club over the weekend of the 10th and 11th August which was officially opened by the Canal & River Trust's chief executive, Richard Parry. In his opening address Richard complimented the AWCC on its work over the sixty years since its founding. He said “I’m delighted to have been invited to the AWCC 60th celebrations. The Canal and River Trust will continue to work hard towards keeping all the waterways open for you to cruise. The AWCC are a fundamental organisation who work closely with CRT”. Richard was accompanied by CRT boating manager, Matthew Symonds.
The highly successful weekend, which also benefitted from good weather, was attended by over 100 AWCC members and their boats from twenty clubs from all over England. There were thirty visiting boats while some members, unable to attend by boat due to navigational issues, came by camper van or car. They were entertained with various activities and entertainments plus a performance from the excellent and appropriately named band “No Direction” who donated their fees plus a collection from the audience amaounting to some £600 to the Parkinsons UK charity.
Although individual boaters cannot join the Association, they can become members for free by joining one of the AWCC's affiliated boat and cruising clubs.
Being a member of a boat club brings numerous benefits including advice and help from experienced club members, in most cases an active calendar of social events outside of the cruising season and the opportunity to safely moor your boat at other member clubs while on an extended cruise to return home or to attend to other important activities. Clubs are always ready to help a member of another boat club whenever they have a mechanical of family emergency.
A number of clubs are also able to offer permanent leisure moorings at extremely competitive rates in return for help and regular support in maintaining their club’s facilities. Some clubs even have dry docks for the exclusive use of their members, again at very competitive rates, and other facilities often as good as those available at commercial marinas.
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, it has been necessary to change the date and location of the AWCC 60th Anniversary Rally. This will now be held at Lichfield Cruising Club from Friday 9th August to Sunday, 11th August, 2024. For further details see the Events page. Booking forms for members of AWCC clubs are available from the members area Events page at:
https://awcc.org.uk/members/events.php?year=2024
I am happy to report that after fund raising, T.C.C. has had two defibrillators installed. One is by the main gate to the site and the other is on the blockhouse by the railway bridge. Both use 'What 3 Words' to help emergency services find us. The main gate uses 'senior,learn,space' and the one on the blockhouse uses 'mirror.hike.pulse'