IML quiz night

Quiz night
Hosted by Caley Marina
7pm sharp Saturday 14/06/2014
Held in the Inverness Marina building
Bring your own booze n munchies

Would be good to have a couple of GGCUA teams !!!!

Gael Force Discount Card

Gael Force haven't got the 2014 cards printed yet , just use your 2013 for the moment!
(Provided you've rejoined of course!)

Tips for starting the boating season

The sun is breaking through the clouds and winter has finally released its grip on Britain – meaning there’s no better time to start preparing for the new boating season.

We’ve rounded up some tips to get you set for some sublime sailing in the coming months.

1) Inspect your boat thoroughly and rectify any problems you spot. Following last winter’s flooding and high winds, it’s important to check there is nothing wrong.
2) Create a plan of the key DIY jobs that need completing and aim to do at least one a week.
3) Clean your boat from bow to stern and air it out thoroughly. Just like a home, all boats need a good spring clean once a year.
4) Get your boat’s engine serviced – the last thing you want is it cutting out when you’re halfway down Loch Ness
5) Stock the fridge and cupboards with necessary items.
6) Update your boat’s chartplotter using the wifi at home. Trying to use 3G onboard the boat will be much slower.
7) Make sure you have all the required safety equipment on board and that its in good working order.
8) Make a plan of all the sailing or cruising you intend to do this season. Even if you don’t tick everything off, it’ll motivate you to get out on the water in the first place.
9) Finally, make sure you use your boat. Don’t waste time doing jobs that aren’t necessary, get out on the water!

If you've got some good tips Email GGCUA@btimternet.com

Dates for your diary

Saturday 29-3-2014
RNLI  North Kessock Boat Jumble

- 5/6 July Foyers Flotilla

- 30 August BBQ with Scouts and maybe Waterways Trust at Muirtown Basin

- 15 November quizz night at Dochgarroch

Quiz night
Hosted by Caley Marina
7pm sharp Saturday 15-02-2014
Held in the Inverness Marina building
Bring your own booze n munchies

New chairperson

Just a short post to introduce myself as the new GGCUA chairperson.
I'm a boater,Vidas is usually berthed in Caley Marina so if you are passing drop in for coffee!

LATEST NEWS from GGCUA

 

WELCOME TO A NEW SAILING AND BOATING SEASON! 

Well it's been a relatively quiet winter along the Caledonian Canal and Great Glen. We seem to have largely escaped the vast quantities of snow others have had the misfortune to experience though temperatures have been very, very low, often sub zero for weeks on end. And of course, now the degrees celcius are on the way up, here comes the wind and rain! But it can only get better [sic], probably and hopefully!

On a much brighter note, "A BIG THANK YOU" to those who have already renewed their membership and those who are in the process of doing so, and "A BIG HELLO and THANK YOU" to our new members. We wish you all have a most enjoyable year ahead.

For yet another year we have capped our membership fees and trust you will agree this continus to represent great value. Along with your membership discounts at Caley Marina and McKewan of Inverness, we now offer you a new discount card for Gael Force Marine at their Inverness store as well as free membership to The Inland Waterways Association with access to their member offers and deals.

This year, our AGM will take place in June onboard the barge "Loch Ness" moored at Seaport Marina. We have yet to set the date though it will be on a saturday, early evening. We hope you'll be able to attend and we'll contact you asap with the details.

We are also planning a few social events over the summer months, starting off with one of the ever popular quizz nights at Dochgarroch Hall. Again, we'll be in touch as soon as a date is set.

A definite date for your diary is "The Caledonian Canal Customer Forum", an annual event held by Scottish Canals (nee British Waterways Scotland). This will take place at The Moorings Hotel, Banavie on Saturday 11th May commencing 10.30am, ending 12.15pm-ish with sandwiches and beverages. Here's the opportunity to meet the custodians of our Scottish Canals, hear their plans for our canals' future and have an opportunity to ask any questions you'd like answers to. If you would like to attend but haven't had an invite yet, please contact the Caledonian Canal office on 01463 72550 and let them know you wish to attend, or email enquiries@scottishcanals.co.uk marking your email subject as "Caledonian Canal Customer Forum" and do likewise. We look forward to seeing you there.

In the meantime, many thanks for your continued support.

 

 

 

LATEST NEWS from GGCUA

THREE ITEMS of GOOD NEWS!

Firstly, GGCUA have joined The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) as a corporate member.
This means that all current members of GGCUA are now also members of IWA and can access IWA's member benefits and offers through their website using our membership number. This is at no extra cost to you and members have been sent an email with the relevant details.

Secondly, all GGCUA members will shortly receive a 10% discount card for use at Gael Force Marine, Inverness. It's for use in-store only at Inverness with some conditions but still represents great value.

Thirdly, come along for a fun-packed evening at Dochgarroch Hall on Saturday 17th November from 5.30pm for the latest GGCUA Quiz Night. Your £2.50 admission per person (15yrs and under free) includes a bonfire, some fireworks, Dave's special mulled wine and, of course, the Quiz! There's also a prize raffle (prizes to be announced) at just £1.00 for a strip of five tickets. As usual, bring some food to share for a great buffet and also bring your own beverages.

We look forward to seeing you!

18 August Seaport Fun Day / Car Park Info

Please be aware that on Saturday 18 August The Waterways Trust are holding a family fun day 'Go Wild on the Canal' at Seaport Marina in Inverness.  Details of the event can be found at http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/our-canals/caledonian-canal/events-/go-wild-on-the-canal!

As a result of the event the car park at Seaport will be closed from 10am on Friday 17 August until 9pm on Saturday 18 August. 

Waterways have advised that any vehicles remaining in there may be removed at the owners risk.  Therefore if you are planning on leaving your car there whilst away on your boat please advise the office at Seaport, they may require you to provide a set of keys so they are able to move your car for the event. 

Alternative parking is available in the Canal Trail bays on the opposite side of the road, round the corner from Muirtown Pet Suppies store. 

GGCUA 10th ANNIVERSARY

"QUIZ NIGHT"

 SATURDAY 28th JULY 2012

DOCHGARROCH HALL

Doors open at 6.30pm, quiz commences at 8pm

£2.50 admission per person

£100 First Prize

Prize Raffle

Please bring some food and drink for yourself

and a little food to share

Plates, cutlery etc are provided

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU FOR

A GREAT EVENING OF FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT

for further information

please contact David Bird on 07986 282 184

or email ggcua2003@yahoo.co.uk 

 

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

Great Glen Canal Users Association AGM 2012

6.30pm Saturday 31st March aboard the barge “Loch Ness”
moored at the entrance to the Seaport Marina, Inverness

Parking and refreshments available

If you are able to attend, please RSVP to ggcua2003@yahoo.co.uk or by
telephone/text to 07986 282184

We Look Forward To Seeing You

-----------------------

The Agenda for the meeting will be as follows:

1. Report from the Chair

2. Report from the Treasurer

3. Election of GGCUA Committee

4. New discount for GGCUA members

5. Events for the year ahead - GGCUA's 10th Anniversary

6. British Waterways Scotland - Waterspace Strategy Consultation

7. Any other business

End of Season Event Pics

Just thought I'd add a few pictures from the end of season bonfire, firework and quiz night on Saturday. Hope everyone enjoyed themselves. It was a great night.

GGCUA End Of Season Bonfire and Quiz Evening 12 November

To mark the end of the boating season we would like to invite you along to an evening of fireworks, food, fun and quizzing at Dochgarroch on Saturday 12 November, starting at 6pm.

Entry to the evening is £3 per head (under 14s free). Please bring along food to share e.g. Cheese and crackers, sausage rolls enough for yourself and another and your own drinks for the evening.

The plan is as follows:

6.00 Bonfire Lighting

6.30 A chance to watch some fireworks whilst partaking in mince pies and warm mulled wine.

7.00 Move into Dochgarroch Hall for food to share.

7.30 Take your seats for the evening's Prize Quiz.

Don’t worry if you haven’t enough people for a team as you can make up one on the night with other Association members or British Waterways staff. Team size limit is 8 people. The quiz will cover a variety of subjects, with something for everyone.

There will also be a Prize Raffle (list of prizes to be announced soon).

We look forward to seeing you on the night, and remember to wrap up warm for the start of the evening.

UPDATE TO DISRUPTION OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY AT DOCHGARROCH

Further to the previous blog, we can now inform you that the disruption to electricity supply at Dochgarroch on Tuesday 11th October is scheduled to take place between 9am and 12mid-day though it is hoped that works will be completed by 10am.

URGENT NEWS FOR BOAT OWNERS AT DOCHGARROCH

CUTS TO ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

Assuming you received notification from British Waterways Scotland, you should all be aware that on Monday 3rd October, there will be a temporary loss of electricity supply to the bollards at Dochgarroch due to annual maintenance. Though BW did not inform you of how long power would be off for, I understand it could be up to six hours but hopefully works will be carried out in much less time.

You may have been aware that yesterday, Thursday 29th September, there was a loss of electricty supply due to quaterly maintenance. Apparently, about a year ago, we were sent a letter asking us to inform BW if we wanted prior notification of quarterly maintenance power cuts. Can't say I remember such a letter but may have overlooked it (hence no notification). I understand BW received only one reply from said letter (who did receive notification). If you did not receive the letter or overlooked it, or forgot about it and want future notification, please let us or BW know about it.

What you won't know is that on Tuesday 11th October, there will be a further power cut at Dochgarroch, this time by Scottish Hydro. No further information is known about the timing of this, but am working on it. BW informs me that they have just received notification themselves and will stick up a poster. What a load of bollards! Not good enough! am working on that one too!

If you have any appliances, or whatever on timers, or live aboard, or are planning a visit - Be Aware.

Please feel free to leave a comment, the more that can be fed back to BW the better.

Strength in Association!

Will update asap.

'This is not a restaurant' event on Loch Ness Barge

'This is not a restaurant'

an open studio /open boat afternoon

celebrating the Brazil - Scotland art residency

Saturday 17 September 2011

5-8pm

6pm performance, tea and cake

Nicola Gear Fabiano Marques Mary Somerville

Loch Ness Barge

Clachnaharry jetty, Clachnaharry, by Inverness

for more information go to;

lochnessbarge.wordpress.com

or phone 07847 630464

Inverness reveals a new contemporary art hub ... on a boat!

• The first international art residency is taking place aboard a converted steam dredging barge on the Caledonian Canal.

5 weeks ago a Brazilian artist and two Scottish artists moved aboard to live and work together in this unique studio environment.

• On Saturday 17 September the boat will open its doors to the public, in an event that will include a tartan-like raft released into the canal, animated creatures inhabiting the engine room, sound installations lurking in unusual spaces in the lower decks, and tea and cake served as part of an installation of unusual tables.

JOB OPPORTUNITY IN INVERNESS

A Temporary Position for a Full-Time Sales Assistant at Gael Force Marine is available from September 2011 untill June 2012 (covering matertiny leave)

INTERESTED?

If you have some sales experience and have an interest, knowledge or experience in sailing, boats, watersports or general marine, then this could be for you.

A 40 hour week, a competitive salary over a six day period, Saturdays worked on a rota basis.

For more information and to apply, contact Paul Maclean at Gael Force Marine : 01463 229400

Scottish Coastal Rowing Project & St Ayles Skiffs

Slightly off subject as I'm going to talk about coastal rowing, not canal business, but as we're all boaty people....
I am trying to get together a group of people interested in building & rowing a St Ayles Skiff, as part of the Scottish Coastal Rowing project- you may recently have seen articles on TV & news about the project-
Nearby places such as Ullapool & Achiltibuie have already got boats in the water & have even recently hosted a regatta, and there are upwards of 40 other boats either being built or up & running. The idea is that the boats are sold in kit form, so relatively easy to put together, and with an emphasis on team work, community spirit & enthusiasm- no specialist skills are required (though always useful!).
Once the boat is built & in the water ; there are now numerous rowing events happening around the coast, including participation in the Portsoy boat festival, as well as regular rowing sessions locally if that's what the participants want- for fun or for practice to hone your rowing skill & win races!
I have rowed in the Ullapool skiff myself a lot, and it is great fun, a great way to meet new people, get fit and inevitably involves post-rowing pub meets too. If you'd like to find out more, do a search on 'Scottish Coastal Rowing Project', Jordan Boats, or come & see me on Raingoose at Dochgarroch.......... Julie