Towpath Talk - March 2019 - Preview

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TTOWPATH O

The UK’s Number ONE read for all waterways users

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Issue 161, March 2019

PADDLING FROM COAST TO COAST P4

ENJOYING THE GOOD LIFE P9 AROUND THE REGIONS: PHIL MULLIGAN

P15 LOCK GATES FOR CHELSEA SHOW P17

Uplifting experience The sun shines over Anderton Boat Lift for the recent open weekend which gave around 3000 people the chance to experience areas of the lift they don’t normally have access to. Play equipment also proved popular with the younger visitors. More on page 2. PHOTO: COLIN WAREING

‘Millennials’ ditch bricks and mortar for a boat By Sarah Spencer

BOAT REVIEW: INDUSTRIAL CHIC P64 LOOKING FOR A FRIENDLY MARINA?

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P95

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AN INCREASING number of ‘millennials’ would consider living on boats as a way of getting on the property ladder, according to new data.

Triathlon filling up

Figures revealed 51% of millennials surveyed would be willing to purchase an alternative dwelling, over a house or flat, with a third prepared to live on the water. The study was commissioned by British Waterways Marinas Limited

ENTRIES are already flooding in for the Montgomery Canal Triathlon on Saturday, May 18. Organised by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal, it brings entrants from across the country to cycle, walk and canoe the 35 miles of canal from Newtown to Welsh Frankton. Nearly a quarter of the places have already been booked. Christine Palin, chairman of the group, said: “To make the event manageable we do have to limit the number of people who can join, so we encourage everyone to book early. We are asking entrants to get sponsorship to help with more progress on the restoration of this special canal.” Book at www.montgomerycanal.me.uk/may2019. html and montcanaltriath@btinternet.com

(BWML), a leading UK residential and leisure mooring provider, who found most millennials (55%) were unable to save the deposit required to purchase a traditional property. So, when asked if they would consider an alternative dwelling, 53% said they

Canal Camps opportunity

IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group has released its programme of week-long residential volunteer holidays. This year WRG is running 23 Canal Camps across 13 different waterways that all need the support of up to 20 volunteers. The largest projects that need the support of volunteers are based on the Grantham Canal in Nottinghamshire, the Lancaster Canal and the Wey & Arun Canal in Surrey and West Sussex. Across all the projects WRG volunteers will have the chance to learn new skills, meet new people and get stuck into tasks such as restoring locks, relining canals, creating towpaths, removing vegetation and uncovering archaeological artefacts. More details on 01494 783453 ext 610, or email enquiries@wrg.org.uk

would temporarily live in a caravan, 33% a boat and 14% a trailer. A boat however was the favourite longterm residence, with 27% saying they would happily raise a family on the water. • Continued on page 2

UK responds on red diesel

A RESPONSE has been presented to the EU following its ruling last year on the UK’s failure to fulfil its obligations relating to red diesel. HMRC has responded to the Commission and is planning a consultation later this year. The EU argued the UK had failed to meet requirements for fiscal marking – showing that UK duty has been paid – of gas oils and kerosene. This could affect future use of red diesel for leisure boats, with implications for boat owners and boatyards. The UK’s response pointed out the length of the inland waterway network and the need for both types of fuel to be available, as well as the safety implications if boats were not able to access the correct fuels at all ports.


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