Festive Season

May I take this opportunity to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, hope that you all have a splendid time and enjoy a healthy and prosperous New Year 2010.

Help for Grantham Canal

Dear colleagues of Louth Navigation Trust,

Could we please ask for your help in a major crisis situation affecting the restoration of the Grantham Canal - a very similar project to Louth, and partly in Lincolnshire?

As many will know, there is a big redevelopment of the A46 road between Widmerpool and Newark which crosses the Grantham Canal near Cotgrave. The new road itself will cross the canal bed with ample room for navigation when the canal is restored. The feeder road from the villages of Cotgrave and Stragglethorpe to the new dual carriageway is consequently being realigned, but in this case without providing a bridge at navigable height, thereby blocking future restoration of the canal.

The salient details of the problem are contained in a draft letter in the Grantham web site at http://www.granthamcanal.com. Do please check this and support if you possibly can by writing a letter to the two people who are able to influence the matter, to seek their intervention and instruction for such a bridge to be built as part of the A46 road widening scheme.

This is now most urgent as the new road is being built and time is of the essence.
Even though a lot of activity has taken place locally, over a sustained period, to try solve this problem it is now clear that nothing other than intervention by the Secretary of State for Transport will suffice. National help is therefore urgently needed right now and please feel free to use the draft letter to aid you in writing to the two people below. Ideally, change some of the wording so that not every letter is the same but please do write or email as every individual letter will be a big help.

Please write to both:

Lord Adonis
Secretary of State for Transport
The House of Lords
Westminster
London
SW1A 0AA

Chris Mole MP
Under Secretary of State for Transport
The House of Commons
Westminster
London
SW1A 0AA

Every single letter will help, so please do use the information in the draft letter to lobby on behalf of the Grantham Canal restoration supporters. It would also be appreciated if you could let Mike Snaith (E-mail: mikeiwaplanning@btinternet.com) know that you have sent a letter so that we can keep a track of the situation.

Many Thanks, Peter Hill

Ode to 'Billy'

My children and I, we are so sad,
Daily walks to Riverhead that we've had,
Your majestic beauty, your eager gaze,
Where is Billy? My little boy says.
The ducks may be relieved at last,
How you bullied them so as they tried to feast,
We forgave you though Billy, we fed you our bread,
Alas now we feed ducks and moorhens instead.
We felt sure you were lonely and longed for a mate,
But to be a lone swan was to be your sad fate,
We'll remember you fondly as we go on our way,
We loved coming to see you; you made our day.
Sheila and Floss, they cried when they heard,
You were a naughty but lovable bird,
The walks to Riverhead will not be the same,
The children loved you; like moths to a flame.
The news travelled fast "Billy's gone" they all said,
How could we believe that you'd been found dead,
Rest in peace dear Billy the swan,
Riverhead is so empty now that you are gone.
The Lord Family

Potential sell-off of properties owned by British Waterways

Further to recent announcements concerning the potential sell-off of properties owned by British Waterways by the Treasury, we petition the Prime Minister to give assurances that our canals will be protected and recent levels of investment, a credit to Labour, is maintained.
Our canals are great source of pleasure for many people in the country, providing a source of employment through tourism and associated businesses. They're also home to many forms of wildlife. Without proper management this will ebb away and the network return to a state of decay and ruin.
We urge the Government to allow British Waterways to retain its property portfolio, protecting its essential source of revenue and ensure the sustainability of its work.

If you would like to voice an opinion and protect our waterways, you can sign the 10 Downing Street petition here

Lacey gardens pupils visit the LNT Warehouse

Thurs 26th November 2009

LNT Presentation to Lacey Gardens pupils at the Navigation Warehouse where pupils learned about the history of Louth Canal and how to tie knots with assistance from  John Stanbridge and Tim Hawson. I believe that they had a most enjoyable afternoon. More photographs on site here

Rotary Club of Louth 'Leisure in Louth Exhibition' 2009

The Rotary Club of Louth voluntarily organises an exhibition about every seven years to enable local sporting, cultural, hobby and leisure clubs and societies to present their particular interests and activities to the public. Once again this was held at the Louth Town Hall on Saturday 17th October from 10a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 18th October from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. Louth Town Council has kindly given some financial assistance and admission was free, for this none trading event. Here is a photograph of the LNT Stand at this event. By all accounts a very successful event, with lots of interest and new members joining the Trust.

Towpath Maintenance

Tim Hawson completed the mowing contract of the tow-path today with the final cut on the tow-path. The Boules Piste was also mown. The cutter will now be overhauled in time for next years contract with the LCC. Stiles have been cleared and we will be informing the LCC which ones need repair. LNT way-markers need to be replaced in some areas and we hope to organise this before the walking season gets under way in 2010.