Sharing Feedback from Building the Social Economy through the Waterways Conference
Delegates from all over the UK came to east
Leeds in March to a conference organised by Canal Connections with the National
Community Boats Association (NCBA). The conference speakers provided inspiring
examples of groundbreaking work, particularly on the canals in Scotland, in
developing social enterprises on and around waterways. The event has proved to
be a springboard for new ideas, new connections and the beginnings of new ways
of structuring how we work on and around waterways.
Those of you who were there might have
wondered what happened to all of the information added to the maps in the
workshop sessions…
Our original intention was to add this
information to an online map so that it could be shared and added to a 21st
century plan for the waterfront in Leeds between the two museums at Armley
Mills and Thwaite Mills Watermill. We decided to ditch that as a way of
presenting the information because the suggestions were mostly not linked to a
specific location or could be applied to the whole of the waterfront. In the
end, a simple list seemed the best way to present and share the information. (Please see below).
Listing the information also helps us share
the ideas offered by delegates who might not have been familiar with the waterways
of Leeds, but had really valuable ideas and information to put forward on
developing partnerships and setting up training initiatives.
Building the Social Economy through the
Waterways – 19th March 2013
Information
gathered on maps at workshop sessions
It was planned to add information gathered
on maps to an online map to share. However, most of the information put forward
was not specific to places on the Leeds waterfront, so we have decided to share
it as a themed list of feedback instead.
Strategic
Considerations
South side access to Leeds Station
HS2
Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme
Whole
Waterfront Themes
Trip for the Arts Sector to explore
opportunities
Celebrate former industries
Tidy up (whole water space and environs)
Signposts to destinations
Planting
Boat Clubs
Access
Clay signage
Training
Ideas
Two way street for management training and
trainees
Training opportunities at Middleton and
Armouries
Two way street for management training and
trainees
Community
Boat
Residentials
Boat handling training
Skipper training
Boat masters Training
RYA Day skippers training
Office cleaning – basic office skills
Cooking and gardening
Fishing
Wildlife tours
Family boat trips
Photography, pottery, spray can art,
knitting and sewing - other arts and crafts
Support local community and groups with
special needs
Work supporting recovering alcoholics
Minibus – transport to the canal could be
an issue
Opportunities
– Location based
Thwaite Mills / East Leeds waterfront Woodworking Festival
Fire
Festival
Spoon
Festival
Leeds University Boat Club (Hunslet)
Sand barges (Hunslet/East Leeds)
Gravel transport (Hunslet/East Leeds)
Tower Works access
Raft Racing
Disused railway link to Holbeck
Armley Mills better access / security
Links to Cardigan Fields (leisure/retail
park at Kirkstall)
Dunkirk Hill, Armley
Brewery Wharf – people leaving apartments
Kirkstall Valley Park plans
Knostrop Sewage Treatment Works
Planting
Boat Clubs
Access
Clay signage
Opportunities
– organisations and ideas
WYPolice funding
from POCA (Proceeds of Crime Act)
use
of police equipment – e.g. bikes
identify
young people to take part in schemes
Diversionary
projects to reduce anti-social behavior
Work
with NEETs, improve school attendance
Yorkshire Water Mentors
Skills
– Practical/operational, project management, leadership, Networks of
contractors/consultants/suppliers
Employment
– training/apprenticeship/placements
Expand “Surewater” or “Pugwash” projects
Water4Life
water@leeds (a group of
water research specialists at the University of Leeds)
Connect Housing
Cycling groups
Examples
of Other Groups/Good Practice
SCAD http://www.scad.org.uk/
Bedford Link Association
Bedford and Milton Keynes Partnership
Thanks to everyone who shared ideas. In
terms of what happens next - how should we continue the discussions, bring potential
partners together, develop plans and projects for the future and harness some
of the energy in the room to work out some next steps? Please get in touch if
you would like be involved.
In the meantime you may be interested in the Waterways For Growth Film:
http://www.waterwaysforgrowth.eu/
