AWCC News

Islington Boat Club, a registered charity, is now offering RYA accredited Inland Waterways Helms courses suitable for either narrowboat or cruiser helms. They also offer RYA Diesel Engine Maintenance courses. The revenue generated from the fees for these courses goes to support the work of the youth club that is part of Islington Boat Club. Further details can be found on their website at:-

https://www.islingtonboatclub.com/rya-inland-waterways-helms-course and

https://www.islingtonboatclub.com/rya-diesel-engine-maintenance-course

The AWCC is pleased to be able to support this initiative by publicising these courses.

Midlands Region held their AGM at Derby MBC when the five officers were re-elected, unopposed.  Graham Myatt [Vice Chairman], Howard Smith [President], Erica Martin [Secretary], Jon Jones [Chairman] and Graham Churton [Treasurer].  

Lichfield Cruising Club has now been granted planning permission for the construction of a new mooring basin and dry dock facility to replace the moorings and slipway being lost due to the imminent construction of the HS2 railway line.

The line of the new HS2 passes directly through the existing Cappers Lane bridge which was rebuilt in 2006 as part of the restoration of the Lichfield (ex Wyrley & Essington) Canal. It also obliterates the existing slipway and, along with the consequent realignment of Cappers Lane, causes the loss of 12 of the Club's moorings and the associated car park. The new development, funded by HS2, will provide replacement for these facilities on a like-for-like basis. It is hoped that construction will start soon so that the moorings can be relocated before work starts on the construction of the rail line.

Stoke on Trent Boat Club was involved with an event organised by the village of Endon to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of peace in 1918.

The club displayed large poppies on the entrance gates, on various internal sites and on the bridge carrying the towpath over the entrance to our premises.  We also had a display of poppies with the floral display in an old boat, which marks the club's entrance.

In the evening, a beacon was lit with the help of an Endon resident, a veteran of 102 years old.  The last post was sounded, church bells rang, and the town crier gave out the Cry for Peace. This took place on a field adjacent to the village hall, into which the huge gathering of villagers then made their way where they could examine the many displays - memorabilia from the village, and work from the three local schools, including poems and artwork.  Refreshments were enjoyed before the audience settled to enjoy performances from the local community choir, and many other contributors.  There was music from solists, harmonica, accordion and guitar; readings both light hearted and serious, including contributions from two Young Poets Laureate [both Endon girls].

Representing Stoke on Trent Boat Club, past Commodore Erica Martin delivered The Sailor's Prayer.  Erica, her husband Brian, and Barbara Wells were the official photographers for the event, and prepared a portfolio of several hundred images to mark this one-off event.

Many clubs of the AWCC are involved with the communities in which they are based offering social and fund raising events. It is sometimes possible to extend that cooperation onto the international stage. One such event took place recently when Black Buoy Cruising Club provided a day on the water for children from the Chernobyl Area who, aged between twelve and fifteen, are in remission from cancer. Following the day's boating the children were provided with a barbecue supper at the clubhouse. The outing was funded by Solihull Lions Club.

Each year, a group of children are hosted for a month by families in the Knowle-Solihul Area as part of the Chernobyl Children’s Project UK. Keith Yeomans, commodore of BBCC said, " We are delighted with the success of this joint venture. The Chernobyl Childrens Project provides recuperative holidays for cancer sufferers. Doctors say this helps boost their immune system helping them resist or recover from serious illness".