IWA NATIONAL FESTIVAL 2007 TO BE HELD AT ST IVES
As you know, the 2007 IWA National Festival will be held at St Ives
Several of us spent the recent Bank Holiday at the 2006 IWA Festival held this year at Beale Park on the Thames. As well as viewing the show in depth, and enjoying the evening entertainment, we supported Huntingdon District Council and Fens Tourism on their stand giving information to potential visitors – and gauging how many are likely to come, and for how long.
There will be a detailed article for the Winter GOBA News, but there is some important information that local boaters need now.
There were about 400 boats at Beale Park, the majority of which were narrowboats, but certainly a lot of cruisers present. Interestingly, there were about the same number of tents/caravans/motor homes on the camping field where boaters – like us – attended for the 4 days but camped.
Here are some facts that we gleaned for next year. Firstly, boaters who intend to go next year to St Ives by boat really need to apply NOW. The festival site will be on Hemingford Meadow next to the Dolphin Hotel, and boats will potentially be rafted out along the whole length of the meadow. Note that Nobles Field, The Waites and Town Quay will almost certainly be allocated to the Festival as Festival moorings. This means that if you have not booked you will not be able to moor in St Ives during the festival period. Applications for next year were being taken at this year’s festival, and moorings are being allocated by a lottery in NOVEMBER this year. After that, you get what is left until the site is declared full.
In order to ensure that you are moored next to/rafted to your friends/club/group you need to apply in a block booking – ie one form for each boat, but all the forms posted in the same envelope (Condition 11). Otherwise, position is allocated by lottery with no guarantee of being close to a friend. Obviously narrowboats are separated from cruisers, and it is likely that only cruisers will be on Nobles Field. My best advice is get an application in before November
I have uploaded a copy of the application form to the GOBA website, and you will find it at:
http://www.goba.org.uk/medialibrary/IWAFestival2007EntryForm.pdf
Further information will come as we get it.
CAMBRIDGE CITY MOORINGS
After a threat of legal action by GOBA, Cambridge City Council has caved in and re-instated visitor 48 hour moorings in Cambridge.
Full details are on the GOBA website.
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Cambridge City Council has overturned part of
its new mooring policy and has, in effect, banned visiting boats from mooring
in the city.
The council's published policy had been formulated after wide consultation
in which 79% of all respondents had said that these visitor moorings should
be retained. The 48-hour moorings at Jubilee Gardens, below Jesus Lock, were
to be reserved for visitors. Instead, they have now been allocated to six
additional residential boaters whose applications for one of the seventy
licences to moor in other areas designated solely for residential use were
unsuccessful.
The Cam Conservators were appalled about the complete lack of consultation over this ban and will be sending their protest to the City Council.
The Environment Agency has also voiced their opposition and indicated that there could be serious consequences for funding.
Camboaters www.camboaters.co.uk (the residential boaters group) stated that they are against the ban and will do everything possible to ensure that the visitor moorings are kept clear.
GOBA www.goba.org.uk has issued a forceful press release condemning the decision. It is understood that other boating groups, including the IWA will join them in this protest.
If you wish to make an individual protest then you should write to:
Cambridge City Council, The Guildhall, Cambridge CB2 3QJ
or contact:
Joye Rosenstiel, Executive Councillor for Community Development and Leisure
joye@rosenstiel.cix.co.uk 01223 457231
Ben Bradnack, Labour Spokesperson
ben.bradnack@cambridge.gov.uk 01223 457240
Eric Barrett-Payton, Conservative spokesperson
eric.barrett-payton@cambridge.gov.uk 01223 457225