John Evans writes:-
It was difficult to find a waterside location between
Leicester and Lougborough which would attract boats and members of the public
in large numbers; hence the change from Mountsorrel to Thurmaston and
Loughborough. (Would that the Loughborough Wharf development were a few months
further advanced and it would have been ideal, except that there is little to
be gained by "blockading" a dead end!)
In the event, heavy rain over the preceding days had brought
the river level up two or three feet closing it to navigation so that only one
or two locally moored boats were able to reach each site.
Nevertheless, we erected our 'gazebo', bedecked it with
banners and placards and entertained and informed a constant stream (well,
trickle!) of walkers, all of whom signed the petition and practically all of
whom were genuinely interested and keen to support the cause. Many of them
vowed to write to their MP and I have since had a call from one couple who have
spoken to their MEP who has asked for more information.
Overall I was agreeably surprised by the "quality" of those
approached. The total number of signatures obtained was about 350 which begs
the question should we, with hindsight, have positioned ourselves in a busier
spot, but away from the navigation?
Two local newspapers sent photographers and in a piece that
I have written to go with any published pictures I took the opportunity of
"regretting the absence of large numbers of boats but that this is not entirely
relevant as well maintained waterways are as much for dog walkers, anglers,
naturalists etc. etc. etc. as they are for boaters". (I don't feel that this
point is getting enough prominence in mass publicity) |
