NEWS FROM GGCUA

BIODIVERSITY AT DOCHGARROCH.

GGCUA is co-ordinating a meeting to be held at 6pm on Saturday 3rd July 2010 at Dochgarroch East aboard the Dutch Barge "Geertruida".

As a result of recent communications with British Waterways, this meeting has been organised for local boat owners, residents and any other Association member who wishes to express their concerns, interests, views and opinions on the management of canal bank and canal side vegetation along the moorings at Dochgarroch.

British Waterways has expressed their interest in hearing your views prior to a revision of the 2011 plans for cutting of vegetation along the embankments.

Perhaps these photographs may offer a contrast of possibility.

For further information, or to air your views if you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact us via email, ggcua2003@yahoo.co.uk or by letter to GGCUA, c/o Dochgarroch Hall Cottage, Inverness IV3 8JG or by telephone on 07986282184.

We look forward to hearing from you.

NEWS FROM GGCUA

THE GREAT GLEN CANOE TRAIL.

Further to the blog of 21st May, we've been contacted by Rob Robinson, Trail Design Consultant for the Great Glen Canoe Trail and were able to discuss a couple of issues familiar to Association members at this time of year, speeding craft and overstretched facilities.

Speeding on the canal by powered craft is a matter of concern for canoeists, kayakers, rowers and berth holders at pontoons. As GGCUA raised this with British Waterways a short while back, it was good to reinforce the concern with Rob. I understand it is a matter he will raise again with BW.

No news yet on when the banner re. raising awareness of speed limits will be displayed across the lock gate walkway at Dochgarroch.

With regards to toilet and shower facilities, we understand that BW are looking to upgrade those facilities that are inadequate for their level of use, but this is constrained by funding and may be some time before realization.

Rob tells us that wild camping sites with eco-toilets will be created at certain sites along the trail for the use of canoeists/kayakers. He also reports that the current system of access to toilet/shower facilities by BW key is being discussed with the possibility of a change to coded press button access (codes being changed on a regulas basis). Again, it will be some time before this happens, if at all. This at least will foil those who sell BW keys on Ebay!

Will update you with further news shortly. In the meantime, if you want access to "GGCUA Team Blog", where you can post your own news, information, sales or wants, photographs etc., please send us an email to: ggcua2003@yahoo.co.uk - we will reply through email with your link. If you are already a team blogger, 'bout time you started blogging!!