Continued from yesterday.
Carrying on with the predjudice theme.
We are capable of displaying prejudice to our own
kinsfolk on and off the canal. To lighten the tone a little bit, I've
taken a light hearted view of the IWA looking all resplendent in their
'kings new clothes.'
Well, I suppose in all fairness it was bound
to happen. We all know that the age profile of boaters is much closer
to octogenarian end than it is to the teenage end of the age profile.
But it should also be remembered that the make up of the rank and file
of the IWA (Inland Waterway Association) is also towards the top end of
the life expectancy spectrum.
Realising that the writing in this
case is on the lock gates - so to speak - as the IWA membership
continues to plummet ever downwards. In something of a throwback to the
days of 'dads army'. Time has finally caught up with the grey granddads
of the IWA. We all know that when you leave a group of the old greys
unattended. The Rupert's and Rodney's will soon be reminiscing about
their days of hand to hand fighting on the the Rochdale Canal. Wanting
to put the rusty boated denizens of the cut to the bayonet. Because as
the Corporal said to the Captain the moorings usurping fuzzy wuzzies
don't like it up'em - so to speak.
It seems that the geriatric
nurse (probably foreign) forgot their medication again. And the
granddads have stayed awake long enough to hold a council of war. It's
been a while since the 'granddads' discussed placing the IWA national
policy regarding boats without home mooring, into the public domain.
This was then closely followed by a show of hands and then followed by a
unilateral declaration of hostilities. The Grey Granddads know it will
make them unpopular - so there's not much change there then.
The
IWA has now singled out a group of boaters - these boaters who are in
the main - towards the younger end of the boating age profile. These are
boaters who will be trying to hold down a job and get their kids to
schools. So they want to move around within a reduced area of the
waterways. These are the very people the IWA need to join-up, because
more and more of the greys seem about to take their last boat trip
across the River Styx.
The grey granddads now see themselves
taking over from CaRT and its enforcement team. So its a case of where
CaRT has failed, the grey granddads don't fear to tread. The grey
granddads spokesperson who is obviously fluent in Gonads said [we will
be working to] ‘Resolving the issues caused by congestion especially in
urban areas where large numbers of boats remain in the area in
contravention of the requirements of their licence'.
So I'm
thinking of holding a collection to purchase some raffia and beads for
the afternoon macramé sessions in the old boys playpen. Plus a large
load of senna pods which might go some way to helping nurse with
releasing the grey granddads urban congestion.
Read the full story Here.