Graham Worton: Chairman's Report
I was pleased to see that the AGM in the marquee at the bonfire rally was so well attended. We have now put this venue on the programme for our next AGM.
It was most generous of Martin O'Keeffe to offer to donate his collection of books on BCN history to the Society. As soon as the Council has decided how best they should be stored and used I shall contact Mrtin to make arrangements for their transfer.
It was clear at the AGM that many members shared Martin's concern about the fate of heritage buildings on the BCN. The Objects of the Society included:
"preservation of the Birmingham Canal Navigations... and all works appertaining thereto"
so it is well within our remit to do allwe can tp preserve the canal heritage buildings. To this end,Vaughan Welch, Chairman of Birmingham, Black Country and Worcestershire branch of the IWA, is forwarding IWA responses to planning applications to me and I am endorsing them as BCNS Chairman and sending them on to the relevant planning authority. I am sure that more could be done, given time. I suggest that we need a heritage sub committee to carry out this work. Perhaps some of those members who voiced their concerns and anybody else who is interested, would be prepared to help, please let me know.
I hope you all had a good Christmas & New Year. Caroline & I went for a walk on Christmas morning along the Stourbridge Canal to have a look at the repair of the breach. Britishn Waterways have done an excellent job and are to be congratulated. No boats were moving but we met Jenny Maxwell on Black Cat who was moored by the boat yard. Thanks to Jenny for providing drinks & good company. She sent us on our way back home suitably warmed.
The Christmas Social meeting at Hawne Basin was a great success, with all tickets being sold well before the event. I apologise to those who were unable to obtain tickets. If the event continues to be so popular we may have to consider moving to a larger venue. I wouls like to thank Phil and Dot Clayton who organised such a good quiz. Lap tops and overhead projection no less! I would also like to thank everyone else from BCNS and Coombeswood Social Club who worked so hard to make the event go so well. It's the hard work that people do, to prepare for events, that make them such a success.
To encourage more boats onto the lesser used parts of the BCN, the Council has agreed to reintroduce a simplified version of the 24 Hour Challenge. Roy Kenn & I have been working on the project. The Marathon Challenge will be held on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May 2009. Further detailsare given on page 24.
Continuing on the same theme it is hoped to run a bi-annual Summer Rally, probably at Pelsall, to raise public awareness of the Northern BCN and benefits of restoration of the canal to Hatherton Junction, Lichfield and Huddlesford Junction. The rally will be co-ordinated by the Siciety but it is hoped that other organisations will be involved. The intention is that this rally will alternate with the Summer Rally at Titford Pumphouse.
The Summer Rally will be held at Titford this year, Pelsall in 2010 and so on. A smaller boat gathering will be held at Pelsall on 15th & 16th August this year and the BCNS Explorer Cruise will call there on 15th August. This gathering is being organised by a group Chaired by Patricia Higgs. I'm sure that she would welcome helpers.
Atlas & Malus are now moored at Hawne Basin and have both been surveyed. Malus is in excellent condition, Atlas will need work on knees and bottom. I'll let you know more details when I receive the survey report. It would be good if Atlas & Malus could participate in the Marathon Challenge with a combined crew from BCNS and CCT. Please let me know if you are interested.
Graham Whorton
