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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2017 21:20:07 GMT
Below is a rough draft of a letter I intend to send to every mp and member of parliament. Whilst I am under no misapprehension as to its effectiveness, I would suggest anybody who is concerned does something similar. Oh ps where do I find the mp's mailing list? Dear sirs,Madame I find my self writing to you out of concern for the future of the inland waterways. I have to admit to having a vested interest in the waterways as I live on and am in the process of restoring an old ex-working barge. But I feel that I talk to you as a tax payer and voting member of the public. I find it incredible that in everything but name the waterways ( a public asset.)Have been privatised. In that they are in the sole control of a public ltd company, albeit with some charitable aims so registered with the charity's commission. i also wonder if you are aware of the surprising lack of political oversight to the actions of the canal and river trust. Which is what worries me most about the future survival of an already 250year old public asset. The assets of the nation are being sold off at an alarming rate, to satisfy some short term aim. I would sincerely ask that you pay some attention to what is a worrying situation. Regards Kris well ive found the site listing mp's emails, but it's going to be a long job. Is there no way to automate this? Well I need to target whom to communicate with anybody know of interesting mp's or members of the lords with an interest vested or otherwise in the waterways? www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/Set up a mailchimp account, copy and paste all their addy's, and you can mailshot them regularly. It also allows you to see if the mail has been opened etc, and tells you when they have blocked you. A lot of the conservatives block you after two mails.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2017 21:22:34 GMT
I know last year, I and many hundreds of other members, protested to the RSPB about an issue relating to them selling land which had been donated in a will. The fear that they may unexpectedly lose a traunch of funds from disaffected members certainly galvanised them into action. My hope (dream?) would be that one day Friends would wield similar clout. Rog The RSPB and the NT are very currently very different organisations from CRT/CRT Friends model. I can't see the CRT Friends numbers getting anywhere near the 'membership' (a very important distinction) required to make a difference - at least until canals start being closed. I think you are right. I did say my hope (dream) was that the friends situation would progress to a similar situation. I also believe the 'hope' is as meaningful as writing to MPs. Rog
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Post by naughtyfox on Jul 26, 2017 21:30:17 GMT
Are you really going to sign it Regards Kris' ?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2017 21:30:29 GMT
The RSPB and the NT are very currently very different organisations from CRT/CRT Friends model. I can't see the CRT Friends numbers getting anywhere near the 'membership' (a very important distinction) required to make a difference - at least until canals start being closed. I think you are right. I did say my hope (dream) was that the friends situation would progress to a similar situation. I also believe the 'hope' is as meaningful as writing to MPs. Rog Their friends thing has never really taken off. It also struggles to keep anyone past 12 months. Its decreasing each year, but is artificially buoyed by new members. It's not the reliable source of income they unrealistically relied on. Personally, I think it will end up having just boat owner's on it, with maybe a small insignificant number of Joe public.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2017 21:44:16 GMT
"Total income for C&RT during 2016/17 has risen above £200m for the first time, allowing for a 6% increase in it's spending on the waterways"
"Total income of £203.9m resulted in a break even (rather than the forecast £5m deficit).......after overheads left £140m for spending on charitable activities including basic maintenance, repair, and operation of the network"
"The trust reported a 30% increase in members of it's Friends support organisation to 20,600...."
The above quotes all taken from this months waterways publication (Canal Boat).
If we can encourage the growth of friends, we would have a group with some (however minimal) financial clout to speak to C&RT.
I know we're only Friends, but as with other organisations, C&RT would not wish to lose finance.
I know it's not much of a hope, but I believe it's more meaningful than petitions and letters. Also bear in mind, I am in no way as pessimistic about the future as some on here, but putting a little cash back into the maintenance pot is a winner all round to my view.
Rog
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2017 21:52:33 GMT
"Total income for C&RT during 2016/17 has risen above £200m for the first time, allowing for a 6% increase in it's spending on the waterways" "Total income of £203.9m resulted in a break even (rather than the forecast £5m deficit).......after overheads left £140m for spending on charitable activities including basic maintenance, repair, and operation of the network" "The trust reported a 30% increase in members of it's Friends support organisation to 20,600...." The above quotes all taken from this months waterways publication (Canal Boat). If we can encourage the growth of friends, we would have a group with some (however minimal) financial clout to speak to C&RT. I know we're only Friends, but as with other organisations, C&RT would not wish to lose finance. I know it's not much of a hope, but I believe it's more meaningful than petitions and letters. Also bear in mind, I am in no way as pessimistic about the future as some on here, but putting a little cash back into the maintenance pot is a winner all round to my view. Rog If you take the time to read it properly, you will notice not all is as it seems. The actual money being realistically spent on canals is not even 11% of total income. As to the 140 million being left over for charitable means, be real roger, their bloody wages bill alone is 65 million.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2017 21:58:38 GMT
The wages bill is the largest expense of any organisation. We are expensive.
I agree with you that there is far too much management, and far too little workforce.
But that's where we are. The point is, what's the best way to encourage change.
Rog
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2017 22:08:31 GMT
The wages bill is the largest expense of any organisation. We are expensive. I agree with you that there is far too much management, and far too little workforce. But that's where we are. The point is, what's the best way to encourage change. Rog The best way to acquire change, is to motivate people like yourself into actually doing something, other than talking about it on forums. You, and many others are far to apathetic. That's not intended as an insult by the way.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2017 22:14:13 GMT
Tell me what to do.
I've told you I'm putting my money in, and doing the dissatisfied e mails thing to C&RT when appropriate, and you just belittle it.
I am up for meaningful change, although not as pessimistic as you.
If your best shot is a letter to an MP I think I'll save my stamp.
But I am willing and listening.
Rog
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2017 22:23:48 GMT
Tell me what to do. I've told you I'm putting my money in, and doing the dissatisfied e mails thing to C&RT when appropriate, and you just belittle it. I am up for meaningful change, although not as pessimistic as you. If your best shot is a letter to an MP I think I'll save my stamp. But I am willing and listening. Rog It's not my letter, and therefore not my best shot. However, Kris is doing something with solid intentions, and the more angles you aim at, the better. Also, if enough individuals involve mp's, the seeds will have been planted. As it happens, I know several mp's have recently been in touch with parry, questioning him on several issues. So it's not a bad idea.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2017 22:31:00 GMT
The w is the largest expense of any organisation. We are expensive. I agree with you that there is far too much management, and far too little workforce. But that's where we are. The point is, what's the best way to encourage change. Rog The best way to acquire change, is to motivate people like yourself into actually doing something, other than talking about it on forums. You, and many others are far to apathetic. That's not intended as an insult by the way. So you are suggesting I write to my MP. Is that it? You suggested I and others are far too apathetic and should be motivated into action. I am genuinely asking what to do, having told you what I currently do and why. Rog
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2017 22:36:00 GMT
The best way to acquire change, is to motivate people like yourself into actually doing something, other than talking about it on forums. You, and many others are far to apathetic. That's not intended as an insult by the way. So you are suggesting I write to my MP. Is that it? You suggested I and others are far too apathetic and should be motivated into action. I am genuinely asking what to do, having told you what I currently do and why. Rog Roger, pick out what annoys you on the canals. Then find others from your friends that are like minded. Write to Richard Parry, or John Dodwell. Write on CRT's Twitter or fb page. Basically, use your initiative, just like others. Kris thought about it, mulled it over, and actioned it. He didn't come to me asking what to do lol.
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Post by kris on Jul 27, 2017 6:43:20 GMT
Below is a rough draft of a letter I intend to send to every mp and member of parliament. Whilst I am under no misapprehension as to its effectiveness, I would suggest anybody who is concerned does something similar. Oh ps where do I find the mp's mailing list? Dear sirs,Madame I find my self writing to you out of concern for the future of the inland waterways. I have to admit to having a vested interest in the waterways as I live on and am in the process of restoring an old ex-working barge. But I feel that I talk to you as a tax payer and voting member of the public. I find it incredible that in everything but name the waterways ( a public asset.)Have been privatised. In that they are in the sole control of a public ltd company, albeit with some charitable aims so registered with the charity's commission. i also wonder if you are aware of the surprising lack of political oversight to the actions of the canal and river trust. Which is what worries me most about the future survival of an already 250year old public asset. The assets of the nation are being sold off at an alarming rate, to satisfy some short term aim. I would sincerely ask that you pay some attention to what is a worrying situation. Regards Kris well ive found the site listing mp's emails, but it's going to be a long job. Is there no way to automate this? Well I need to target whom to communicate with anybody know of interesting mp's or members of the lords with an interest vested or otherwise in the waterways? www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/Set up a mailchimp account, copy and paste all their addy's, and you can mailshot them regularly. It also allows you to see if the mail has been opened etc, and tells you when they have blocked you. A lot of the conservatives block you after two mails. thanks I will do that, do you know the names of the MP's who have contacted parry recently. I'm under no illusion about the effectiveness of writing to political figures but at this stage I think we need to do lots of things to try and generate some interest in the future of the waterways.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2017 6:57:57 GMT
So you are suggesting I write to my MP. Is that it? You suggested I and others are far too apathetic and should be motivated into action. I am genuinely asking what to do, having told you what I currently do and why. Rog Roger, pick out what annoys you on the canals. Then find others from your friends that are like minded. Write to Richard Parry, or John Dodwell. Write on CRT's Twitter or fb page. Basically, use your initiative. Limpet mines on all Hudson boats
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Post by Jim on Jul 27, 2017 7:01:26 GMT
Roger, pick out what annoys you on the canals. Then find others from your friends that are like minded. Write to Richard Parry, or John Dodwell. Write on CRT's Twitter or fb page. Basically, use your initiative. Limpet mines on all Hudson boats Disguised as rivets, they'd never know!
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