Click on a picture to see a bigger version.
Left to right:
David Lomax, Leader, Whaley
Bridge Council;
Roger Olver, local event organiser;
Tom Levitt, MP for
High Peak.
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Tom Levitt MP addresses the protesters
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In the foreground:
Tom Levitt, MP for High
Peak;
Roger Olver, local event organiser;
David Lomax, Leader, Whaley
Bridge Council.
In the background:
Sue Day with boathorses Queenie and
Bonny, who both said "Neigh" to Defra Cuts.
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Local organiser Roger Olver writes:-
The Bugsworth event on Saturday was a great success despite
the appalling weather forecast. After some early rain the day was dry and sunny
until 5 minutes before the photo call when the heavens opened, typical!
This didn’t deter the local leader of the Whaley Bridge
Town Council, David Lomax or Tom Levitt, MP for the High Peak who both gave
encouraging speeches to the gathered protesters. Sue Day came hot foot from the
Castlefield event with her two boat horses, by horsebox of course, and joined
in the photo session.
We had an amazing turn out of boats considering the distance
most boats had to travel to reach Bugsworth Basin. We had a total of 44 boats
at the photo call with a couple of others coming along later. The basin would
normally be empty at this time of the year.
The pedestrian element was lacking on the day, probably due
to other local events taking place and of course the Saturday pre-Christmas
shopping, however plenty more were about on Sunday morning offering their
support/petition signing etc. as the majority of boats were leaving the event.
We managed to produce roof top signs for almost 30 boats
from our in-house sign making facility and everyone wanted to take them away to
keep on publicising the campaign and to be used at future events.
The evening entertainment was provided by a group of boaters
who put together a 5 piece band in the Navigation Inn. This was really
appreciated by boaters and locals alike.
Media coverage was down to local press and radio. We
didn’t expect to get national TV coverage at such a remote spot as
Bugsworth Basin but everybody involved felt that they had been part of a really
worthwhile event and are now hungry for the next stage in the campaign.
John adds:-
Just back from Bugsworth where I would estimate 40 boats
(although how many were moored there before I know not) and possibly 60+
people. MP and leader of Borough Council both made encouraging speeches. The
weather was cold and overcast which didn't help and the only rain coincided
with the speeches. Sue Day (and equine friends) put in an appearance but I
didn't see anything of a half-promised Coronation Street Star.
Bruce Napier adds:-
I made it about 46 boats. We were also graced with presence
of a member of BW staff from down south, in a purely personal capacity of
course,
Congrats are due to Roger Olver of Crown Narrowboats who
worked hard and fast to put it together. |
