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Mort's Riverwatch

An occasional look at the ebb and flow of the Thames

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Tag: river users groups

History Recent developments

Lock keepers get backing from users

05/11/201102/12/2012Mort SmithComment(0)

More than 100 people turned up to a meeting of the River Users’ Group, section eight (RUG8) at the Thames Motor Yacht Club at Hampton Court last Tuesday (November 1) and sent a clear message to the Environment Agency demanding a rethink on its proposals to freeze the recruitment of lock keepers and to rent out lock side houses left empty by retiring keepers.

Recent developments

Will plans raise risk of flooding?

23/10/201102/12/2012Mort SmithComment(0)

I do despair sometimes when hearing about the Environment Agency’s plans. The current proposal not to replace resident lock keepers along the non-tidal Thames and to rent out their vacant homes – including those at Chertsey and Sunbury Locks – is a case in point.

The annual Beaulieu Boat Jumble takes place in Hampshire this weekend
Recent developments Rules and regulations

Remember landing?

10/04/201103/12/2012Mort SmithComment(0)

It always worries me that, bit-by-bit, our public rights can be eroded away simply because we don’t know when – or how – to protect them.

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To contact Mort, email him at mortsmith32@gmail.com or call him on 01787 226974. He’s always pleased to hear from old friends who provided such a wealth of information and great stories for Riverwatch.

These columns appeared in the Surrey Herald.

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