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Hello again. A lot has been happening since I wrote my last column just a couple of months ago.
I would like to begin by thanking some of our members for their help following the apeal in my last column. Kevin Seabridge has donated cabinet which will house Martin's book collection, Bob and Jane Moore have donated lots of raffle prizes and Chris Morgan, Chairman of the Monmouth and Brecon Canal Society, who will be taking part in the Wolverhampton to Birmingham Half Marathon on 4th July, has offered to run in the event to collect money for the BCNS. If you would like to sponsor Chris you can send a cheque directly to Chris at 32, St David's Drive, M, Caerphilly, Wales, CV83 8RH. The organisors of the Half Marathon have asked if the Society could help by providing boats along the new main line to dispense drinks enroute. Cups & drinks will be provided. If you can help, please let me know as soon as possible, please. Following the success of my previous appeal, I am looking for a half container to house equipment and running gear for Atlas and Malus. If anyone knows where one could be obtained, please let me know. The journey to Ellesmere Port to pick up the old pump and shafting was succesfully completed at Easter. You may have seen articles i the waterways press about the journey so I won't go on about it here, except to thank all those who made it possible. Operating a part loaded working boat is an experience that I wouldn't have missedand I hope that all members whoare interested wil come and help to work on and operatethe boats. Ivor Chambers has devoted many hours of work to refurbishing the boatman's cabin. The boats will be at the Worcester and Birmingham and BCN Society Rallies in June, in Birmingham for the Half Marathon between 30th Juneand 6th July and also at the BCBF,Tipton and BCLM rallies in September subject to crew availability. Arthur Farge is working on the remaining risk assessments and method statements that are required for the Society to attain self supervising workparty status. In view of the increased focus on working with volunteers which was mentioned in the recent strategic review carried out by British Waterways, this will ensure that the Society will continue towork with British Waterways and our workparties will make a useful and, I hope, increasing contribution towards the maintenance and preservation of the BCN. In the past, the lack of parking at the pumphouse has caused problemswith access to the compound being blocked by parked cars. In an effort to alleviate the problem, a gate for pedestrain access has been fitted with a view to restricting parking within the grounds of the pumphouse. Understandably, there have been objections to this course of actions from some of those who moor their boats at the pumphouse. A meeting has been arranged between British Waterways, the Society and the moorers representative to discuss the problem, which I hope can be resolved amicably. I'm afraid that I have to report that the replica Toll House at the Smethwick Locks has been badly damaged by vandals. Fire has damaged the roof timbers and the interior to such an extent that it is no longer safe. The Society leases the building from British Waterways and the loss adjusters have suggested that the lease should be surrendered. The Council has agreed with this course of action. I will inform you of the outcome in due course. While on the subject of vandalism, I have contacted both the West Midlands Police and British Waterways following reports of an increase in antisocial behaviour on the Wolverhampton 21 and Coseley Tunnel. The police are going to increase the number of foot patrols along the 21 and are going to liase with British Waterways about the problems around Coseley Tunnel. Interesting, British Waterways have not noticed an increase in reports of incidents. Whether this is due to a decrease in incidents or a decrease in the number of people who bother to report incidents remains to be seen. If you are subjected to incidents of vandalism or antisocial behaviour anywhere, don't ignore it but report it both to the Police and toBritish Waterways. It may not help in the short term but if all incidents are reported a map of trouble spots can be developed and measures taken to combat the menace. Finally, the BCNS 24 hr Marathon Challenge was held over the weekend of 30th/31st May and was a great success. The weather was glorious and 27 of the 37 entrants made it to the finish at Walsall Town Arm. I hope that some of the entrants will write of their experiences for a future edition of Boundary Post.