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Local organiser Brian Green writes:-

The Thrupp Canal Cruising Club joined the national weekend of action against the DEFRA imposed funding cuts to British Waterways by creating a blockade of the Oxford Canal at Thrupp.

In atrocious weather conditions on Saturday banners were put up and 9 boats formed the barricade across the canal. A tent was erected and a stalwart team of club members approached any walker, cyclist, angler or boater that passed by to persuade them to sign the petition that will be delivered to the Government . More than 200 signatures were obtained over the weekend. The canal blockade was only 'breached' by three boats over the weekend and only after the crews had signed the petition. One boat was a working boat carrying coal, diesel fuel and gas to boaters and canalside properties, another was a hire boat with a German crew that sensibly turned back when they saw the River Cherwell in full flood. The third was another hire boat with a crew of Australians that were not going to be deterred by a little water (pity there was not more of that in Brisbane). They were delighted to hear of the rally in support of the British Inland Waterways that was organised in Sydney Harbour, obviously some 10 hours before the UK events. They carried on up the canal, through the section where the canal joins the river, but on their return trip yesterday had an 'exciting' (their word) ride downstream with the current.

There was a good turnout of local stalwarts but weather detered the usual towpath walkers and cyclists, even so we gave out about 150 leaflets, copies of Towpath Talk etc.

Sunday produced better weather but there were still not many folks about.

BBC Radio Oxford reported the blockades in their news every hour on Saturday. The blockade was visited by John Stevenson, the Vice President of the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs and photographers from waterways magazines.