Terry Waldren writes :-

I attended the Skipton Rally in support of SOW. The boats that attended were moored in the entrance to the Springs Branch and opposite on the visitor moorings. There were about a dozen in total, many having the large SOW poster in a window and further supporting documentation.

A gathering of about 15 supporters mustered at just before 1000 and photos were taken beside the restaurant boats.

We all went to find good positions in the town (it's also market day and lots of visitors) to try and give an awareness of the problem and to get the petition forms signed. Numerous people had read the Craven Herald and had seen the article on Friday and many more had heard news on TV or radio, many others were aware but did not know the details. Many took fliers so that they could find out more.

I had numerous people who signed my petition forms want to talk of their experiences on the water, some were fishermen who were woried about their costs for fishing going up, some were cyclists who were woried that the towpaths would go into disrepair and others wanted to talk of their holidays on the cut.

One of the boaters was beside his boat and getting the towpath users to sign the petition, the towpath at this point gets many dog walkers and people walking to the shops.

From talking to some of the other supporters betwen us all we have got a good number of signatures on the petition, and will hopefully get some more to write to their MP's.

Dave Dix adds:-

The day started wet and windy, this may have had some effect on the number of boats which attended. However it did not dampen the spirits of the people who turned up in numbers to support the campaign by carrying posters, leafleting and getting people to sign up to the petition and they were rewarded by a lovely sunny autumn afternoon. A steady stream of volunteers arrived all day to make sure most people got a break at some point.

The event was a great success; the residents and visitors to Skipton were very aware of the threats to their waterway by the DEFRA cuts (the publicity in local and national media seemed to have worked) and were all too ready to sign the petitions. The local paper sent a reporter/photographer.

Many thanks must go to the members of the AWCC clubs and IWA local branches for sending members to support the event. Also to the local businesses who lent their support and last and not least to the Skipton residents and visitors for their support on the day.