A couple of episodes ago we featured the Fund Britain’s Waterways flotilla passing through Thorne. If you missed it, FBW is a coalition of organisations representing hundreds of thousands of users and supporters of inland waterways. who are campaigning for national and local government to act now and protect the public benefit and natural capital of Britain’s waterways.
The funding situation is already causing deterioration and will only worsen with the challenges of high inflation and the impact of climate change, which are both at a level unforeseen when current funding was agreed. In July 2023, a year behind schedule, Defra announced future funding for the Canal & River Trust and the announcement confirmed fears of further substantial cuts to the already inadequate level of funding.
With this in mind, a large flotilla of boats will be travelling in convoy to the River Thames and standing off the Palace of Westminster on 7th May to both lobby the government and raise awareness of this shortfall in funding. If you are in the area then please do pop down to Westminster Bridge and show your support. If you can’t make it but would like to help, please sign the petition.
IWA Canalway Cavalcade on 3-5 May
The flotilla will gather at IWA Canalway Cavalcade in Little Venice over the Bank Holiday weekend 3-5 May. This annual canal festival celebrates the best of life on the waterways in London and its community and entrance is free. Further details here.
Support after 7th May
The boaters will not have finished when they reach Westminster, and we need to keep supporting them and helping them to spread the message further afield. From Westminster the flotilla will head downstream again to West India Docks for a debrief onboard the ship belonging to new FBW member Theatreship.
The boats will then turn north again and make their way to Boston before crossing the Wash to Wisbech and the Anglian waterways, drawing attention across the country to the ongoing need for investment and support for our inland waterways.
The schedule for the cruise to and beyond Westminster can be found here and a photo report on its progress to date here. You can follow the flotilla by joining the Facebook group Fund Britain’s Waterways – Cruises for 2025.
Request for Volunteers
The FBW is looking for volunteers in two areas as detailed below. If you may be able to help please do email info@fundbritainswaterways.org.uk.
- FBW will have a presence at the 2025 Crick Boat Show. The public days at the Show are Saturday 24 – Monday 26 May, with a Trade & Preview Day on Friday 23 May. If you would be able to spare some time to help promote the campaign at this event we would be delighted to hear from you.
- The FBW steering group is looking to extend its membership beyond boating-related organisations, in order to give a more accurate reflection of the varied value and appeal of the inland waterways. If you would be interested in joining us or can suggest a possible candidate, please do get in touch.
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