I stayed in Brewood last night because I felt the need to clean up a bit between Bridges 13 & 14.
It’s a short stretch I am moored on complete with mooring rings. There are two picnic tables along the length, not just any old tables but really sturdy ones with a two inch thick top and seats. These are fixed to a block-paved floor for which the sloping embankment has been cut in a semi circle and walled with up-ended sleepers. It is I think you will agree quite nice, now.
In the past some boaters, who in the main didn’t give a shit, have used the tables as saw horses as testified by the myriad chainsaw cuts in the top and seats. Not only have they damaged the tables they have also left a copious quantity of sawdust and chippings where they fell surrounding the tables. So much so that were the weather suitable the tables would not have been unusable. One of the tables has had three of the four top planks removed no doubt cut up for firewood. If you are passing this way have a go at this one
Both tables were like this
Any way I removed about six bag of collected debris and cleaned the brickwork as best I could with my shovel. At least now one of the tables can be used in the summer.
It seems there is a certain type of boater on this canal (the Shroppie) who use and abuse the system. Who never put anything back. Who never so much as clear up after their dogs. They do have their uses. Fallen trees don’t last long in the winter, falling prey to chainsaws, being cut up almost before they hit the ground. The smaller branches and the Ivy, a big feature of the cuttings here are abandoned on the towpath waiting for some unsuspecting walker to trip over them.
How CRT deal with these people I really don’t know, but we who find this behaviour irksome must hold steadfast to the belief that we are the only people who are going to clear up after these anti-social morons. Yes I know its not right, but if we don’t do it no one else will. It is important that we do this to redress the criticism that Continuous Cruisers are a skanky bunch of ne’er do wells who leave crap everywhere. We have to do this because no one else will. We have to do this because there is no money to pay for someone else to do it. I cannot stress how important it is that we all get off our high horses and take this task on-board. Together we can make a difference. Together we can make the canal a beautiful place to come visit.
Next time you are out on your boat or just walking make sure you have a carrier bag or bin liner. Collect all the litter you see everything that is not natural. It wont hurt to have a couple of black bags on the roof until you get to a disposal point. It doesn’t take long to tidy the place where you moor up. You can clear 100 yards either way or even a mile either way. Whatever you do, do something. Don’t just say “Its about time someone cleared up,” it ain’t gonna happen. We are none of us above making an effort, even if the skankeys don’t, we must.
Despite what the CRT think it is our canal and the solution is in our hands!