GGCUA Boat Jumble

Great Glen Canal Users Association

“BOAT JUMBLE”

Sunday 13th May 2012 at Dochgarroch Hall

5 miles west of Inverness just off the A82 by the banks of the Caledonian Canal at Dochgarroch Lock

Indoor & outdoor venue, free parking, light refreshments and facilities

BRING ALONG YOUR BOATING/SAILING ITEMS FOR SALE

Doors open to Sellers from 10.00am

£5.00 per table indoors £4.00 per table outdoors

Advance booking guarantees an indoor table, first come first served basis

Tables and seating provided for indoors, please bring your own for outdoors

Doors open to Buyers at 11.00am until about 4.00pm

For further information and/or bookings
Please contact David Bird at

ggcua2003@yahoo.co.uk
or telephone 07986 282184

Many thanks and we look forward to seeing you

Minutes for GGCUA AGM 31st March 2012 6.45pm

Minutes for GGCUA AGM 31st March 2012 6.45pm
Venue: The barge Loch Ness, Seaport Marina. Inverness


Introduction
Attended by 26 members of the Association.
The Chair offered thanks to Nicky and Adrian for offering their barge Loch Ness as the venue once again for the Association’s AGM.

Report from the Chair
The Chair offered his report for the previous year detailing the achievements of the Association, which included:

- Membership of the Association has continued to increase.
- The Danish Flotilla event. GGCUA was invited by British Waterways Scotland (BWS) to organize and run BBQs and catering for the evening and subsequently they donated the BBQs to the Association.
- Two quiz nights were held during the year, both in conjunction with BWS, the first with
a BBQ and the second, end of season, included a bonfire, fireworks and ‘food to share’.

Report from the Treasurer
The Treasurer reported that we started the year with a bank balance of £234.57 and that the current balance was £443.65. This will increase as membership renewals begin to come in.

British Waterways Scotland’s donation of £200 during 2012 and monies raised during the quiz evenings also helped increase the funds.

Election of GGCUA Committee

Chair: David Bird confirmed that he was happy to remain in this role for one more year. Nominated by David Bird (GGCUA member of the same name!). Seconded by Margaret Kent.

Treasurer: Jim Mallows confirmed he is happy to continue in this role.
Nominated by Aileen Bird. Seconded by Tom Kent.

Secretary: Sue Boyland advised that due to personal commitments she wishes to step down from this role. Anyone wishing to find out more about the position should contact gguca2003@yahoo.co.uk


New Discount for GGCUA Members
Gael Force Marine are planning to offer GGCUA members 10% discount at their Inverness store. This does not apply to online purchases and on some in-store purchases such as vhf radios etc. Discount cards will be issued by Gael Force to the Association and will be posted to all Association members. Please note this amendment: discount will not be available until receipt of your discount card (contrary to the statement made at this AGM).

Discounts at Caley Marina (10%) and McEwan of Inverness (15%) will continue to be offered.

Events for 2012 – Celebrating 10 years of GGCUA

- A Boat Jumble is being organized for Sunday13th May at Dochgarroch Hall. Details are in the process of being emailed to Association members and will be posted on the Blog. Sailing clubs from Cromarty, Chanonry Point, Findhorn and Nairn are also being invited to join in the event.
- Potential repeat of the 2010 Gala Day to celebrate GGCUA’s 10th Anniversary.
- Additional Quiz nights to be organized following on from the success in 2011.
- Possibility of a flotilla to Foyers with an overnight stop, BBQ, live music, etc.

Nicky Gear has offered Barge Loch Ness as a floating venue in support of planned events (weather (wind!) dependent).

British Waterways – Waterspace Strategy Consultation

The British Waterways Scotland Annual Forum will be taking place on 14 April 2012 at Eden
Court (MacLean Room), Inverness, starting at 10.30am.

The Chairman urged all those available to attend this meeting in order to voice their opinions
on the Consultation document which can be found at: www.scottishcanals.co.uk/media-centre/press-releases/draft-waterspace-strategy-public-consultation-

There is also a link on this page to download a response form with your comments. However if you email Russell Thomson directly, make sure you request that your comments are taken into account as feedback for the consultation.

The implications of this document to those members who live aboard on the Caledonian Canal include:
- An increase of approx 1.5 times for the mooring fees over the next 3-5 years.
- Increased payment reflecting the higher use of facilities by those who live-aboard, however most recycle rubbish off site and have their own facilities on their boats.
- Auctioning of residential berths at Seaport Marina to the highest bidder in order to ‘test the market’.
- Change in categorization from ‘Long term mooring (live aboard)’ to ‘Residential’. Will this result in Council Tax being levied by the council?

Also, British Waterways had been under the impression that planning permission was not required for the changes they are proposing, this appears to be incorrect. The Highland Council has now been made aware of the proposals and discussion is expected.

Several boat owners have also met with Drew Hendry, Councilor for the ward of Dochgarroch, regarding their concerns about the Waterspace Strategy. He will be reviewing this matter further.

At the moment the impact of the proposals for leisure boat owners is not known.

AOB – none.
Meeting closed at 8.00pm.
End of Minutes