Our New Website: www.canal-connections.com

We are currently in the process of building a new website to share our journey to this point and to introduce our plans for the future.

Please feel free to explore our new site as we develop it: www.canal-connections.com

Thank you.

Alive and Kicking...?

Image courtesy of Yvonne Roberts

I was recently walking through Leeds  when I met a former colleague. 

“Hello,” she greeted. “It’s good to know you're still alive and kicking – how’s the business doing?” 

This struck me as strange as I haven’t seen her in years - well in my world, Canal Connections is doing very well, but I do have a rose coloured glasses view, as I am constantly told by Howard.

”It's OK but how do you know about that?” I replied.      

“I used to love reading your blog but it went quiet about Xmas - 3 years ago!!”   

 Some said that was the only time of year I worked because I had the figure to imitate Father Christmas and I was grumpy.

Again the comment about the blog struck me as strange as I used to enjoy doing it but it took a lot of time and who was really interested? Also, I could never grasp this new technology!

I went on to explain about our forays:

Internationally:

Building on my experiences with the EU funded “Waterways for Growth” – Canal Connections was highlighted as an outcome from that project,

Nationally:

We were a Creative Community partner in the AHRC Connecting Communities funded “Hydro-Citizenship -  using waterways to envision and (re-)connect Communities,

Regionally:

We were a delivery partner in a Yorkshire wide Heritage Lottery funded Kick the Dust programme – engaging 14-19 year olds in a Heritage focused environment,

Locally:

We have been commissioned by Time to Shine to deliver “Float your Boat”  - a 3 yr programme of engaging older people (over 50!!!) with a focus on men who are at risk of social isolation.

This does not take into account our other work on the Heritage Canal Zone (a stretch of waterway connecting Armley Mills and Thwaite Mill Industrial Museums) which includes  work with the Corporate sector, our transition into a Community Interest Company,  involvement with the Leeds Waterfront Festival and our week cruise as a floating studio for BBC Radio Leeds plus other bits and bobs.      

“Wow you have been busy!“ 

But her eyes were glazing over and she was trying to find a way to extricate herself … until I mentioned I had a second grandson - well he is now over 4 years old. Her interest was re-kindled particularly when I mentioned his mother was going to home learn him. I explained that I wanted to spend more time with him and my family but so much was happening at Canal Connections…. “perhaps you could involve him with what you do? That it is very educational. ” 

We said our good byes – “Don’t forget to update your blog – people are interested in what you do.”

That set me off thinking, how could I spend more time with my family? keep involved with my business? and document my journey into this fascinating canal environment?  - write a blog…….

Thanks To Canal Connections...

I was in a bit of a jam. I needed help as Rudolph was a bit off colour. Canal Connections offered me a lift on one of their boats. They picked me up at Granary Wharf at the back of Leeds railway station on one of their boats. Could this be true!! I was in the middle of Leeds. We travelled along the River Aire at 12 midday on a Friday Lunch time – I could not believe what I was seeing.

We passed Asda and saw a few workers taking some time out for a cigarette – I could not resist waving and shouting Merry Christmas – sheepish waves were returned – is that because they were having a cig “behind the bike shed” ! or just could not believe that Santa was passing on a boat -  which was more unusual? a moving boat or Santa?

We approached Victoria Bridge – iconic landmark bang in the centre of Leeds. On the bridge a group of young high achievers, business people laughed and waved  - on their way to a christmas office party?

I looked to the left and saw a multitude of rubbish collected against the bridge – street cones, take away boxes.  I looked to the right and saw a kingfisher – sat on a branch ready to pounce on an unsuspecting fish. We passed under the bridge and the kingfisher swooped in front of the boat, its beautiful colours glinting in the sunlight. It landed on a branch in the mouth of an underground water  drain. 10 yards further along I saw a “rough sleeper” huddled in his sleeping bag under the cover of an arch. I waved but could not shout Merry Xmas.

A short trip on the boat but showed so many images of Leeds each not seen by the other.

We continued along passed bars with closed doors and windows facing onto the waterfront. We passed many iconic residences with balconies overlooking the waterfront but could only see 4 people to wave to. I waved to the passing crowds walking on the waterfront but it amounted to less that 2 dozen !

The rest of the trip raised similar question marks as I went to my grotto at Thwaite Mills where a “room for the night” had been set at the visitor moorings.  There was no room at the Inn – 2 fishermen had beaten the boat. 1 laughingly gloated “we beat you here” the other dangled his 6 metre pole in the centre of the navigation as if goading the skipper to alter his course – moving it at the last second and muttering obscenities.  I could not wave and wish a Merry Christmas.

We did not stop at the visitor mooring but glided into a quiet spot.  I asked the skipper if there was something he would like for Christmas. A quiet reflection “ Today we are celebrating Nelson Mandelas life. I would love to bring meaning to his speech – “If we can learn to hate why cannot we be taught to love”.

The waterways are a wonderful resource in the centre of our city – “surely there is room for all to learn, to relax, to enjoy?"

Santa's grotto at Thwaite Mills

Guest Blog by Marie Millward of Dandelion Environment and Community

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 21^st 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 – 19^th 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/  

The Value of Community Boating

Image courtesy of Yvonne Roberts, captured during the Multi-Story Water Project

I have had an extremely busy week and one of the highlights must be the NCBA AGM. This was the culmination of some hard work by a small dedicated group of people which was designed to showcase the value of community boating, generate discussion about the future and build on the successful conferences of the past.

We responded to comments that for the previous three years the conference had been held in the South. We therefore tried to make it more accessible to our Northern members and through profiling the potential of the waterways for community benefit to the non-boating sector, extend its appeal.

It was encouraging that the conference venue had been set for 100 delegates and in the morning sessions there were very few empty seats. This led to some very inspiring presentations and generated much thought for the future. It also generated conversations with boat members which constantly reinforce my belief in the value of community boating, but we keep it a closely guarded secret.

I have heard golden nuggets of stories about the effect of a single boat trip and how this has led to life changing events for both individuals and also families. I have heard how the commitment of a small, dedicated group of volunteers provide boat trips to some of our most physically challenged individuals providing respite for both them and their carers. I have particularly been struck by the number of stories involving the Olympics and how our members have been involved in activities, such as, torch carrying to more lasting involvement. I have not yet found anybody who has benefited from the Legacy which was indicated to the NCBA way back in time, however!!!

This weekend I went to the Boat Museum at Ellesmere Port and as always I was struck by the commitment and enthusiasm of volunteers in preparing for the forthcoming events of the season. No more so was this so clearly demonstrated by talking to “the youngest volunteer” on the board of the Wirral Community Narrowboat Association. He was able to show me their first boat, now sold and in private ownership, to their most recent acquisition “an all singing-all dancing” boat equipped to enable access for the physically disabled. He showed me an instrument, which enabled limbless clients to drive by using their nose!! 

Simon demonstrates how to control a boat with his nose

 Most importantly he was able to demonstrate how their organisation is responding to the potential use in supporting members of our Armed services, following their action around the World. The disturbing fact is that he is 69 years of age and was reflecting the concern so often said as to how do we involve young people.

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Looking across the stern of our latest boat to "Over The Rainbow" which is in the very distance

The Log Book to record the contribution of community boating

We came away from there with another boat for Canal Connections, which will carry on providing community benefit, but more importantly we came away with a need to find a way to engage young people in the future of community boating.

Image courtesy of Yvonne Roberts, captured during the Multi-Story Water Project

 

Barriers

Image courtesy of Yvonne Roberts, Artist In Residence

Another full day but not a boat in sight. We are not even on the water, but that very subject is central to everything we talk about.

A meeting with the Environment Agency caused amusement within the school as the subject was salmon ladders. The conversation was opened with me expressing my desire to get salmon along the River Aire as far as Skipton. The salmon can get as far as Thwaite Mills but they face barriers – the weirs have to have fish passes. 

  

You may be thinking: “What does that have to do with Canal Connections?”

We quickly established the relevance. The River Aire flows through the centre of Leeds and there is an abundance of opportunity for it to be a training ground for the development of so many skills to suit all abilities and interests, a leisure opportunity, plus it presents a connection to commercial, heritage and nature centres. It travels close to communities whose residents face many challenges in their everyday lives and in order for people to appreciate its value to them, they have to understand its relevance and it has to bring ‘added value’ into their lives. The conversation was very much about this.

 

The day finished with a seminar at the Lifelong Learning Centre at Leeds University. The subject was ‘Positive approaches to supporting families’. The speakers gave very clear and disturbing facts and case studies about the issues that people face in their every day lives. Sylvia showed how the words we use hide some harrowing facts. “Young Carers” brings the media image of young people as ‘little hero’s’. This may be true but it softens the issues and impacts on their life. A ‘dodgy maths’ formula showed how in reality they were actually contributing over £10million in social benefit. The actual cost of caring shows itself in poor educational outcomes, poor emotional health outcomes and poor family outcomes, often demonstrated through low self esteem, lack of self confidence and social isolation. 

This is nothing to do with water so what is it to do with Canal Connections?

The seminar was all about working with families as a whole and I raised the awareness of the under realised asset in the centre of Leeds – The waterway. A community boat provides an opportunity to explore innovative ways to work for social benefit – important in these times of economic recession.

Canal Connections cannot provide the answer but we want to be a part of the solution. We want to show through examples from across the country how we can make more use of assets within our midst.

Image courtesy of Yvonne Roberts, Artist In Residence

It was certainly a thought provoking day but hopefully we will open some of the barriers too.

Canal Connections Conference