smokey
27-01-2009, 04:55 PM
A quite large-ish group of us from Leeds University Canoe Club paddled the River Leven on Sunday morning, and all who paddled (apart from one girl who lost her boat - look out for this on a separate topic no doubt!) had a fantastic day by all accounts, with high levels making Backbarrow Bridge partricularly "sporting" to say the least.
At the get-out at Haverthwaite, with the van and minibus loaded we were approached by the landowner of the estate for the majority of the lower section of the Leven downstream of Backbarrow: a Mr. James <surname escapes me> but will update soon, out walking his labrador. Of course, that heart-sinking feeling was our immediate reaction, but to our surprise and extreme satisfaction, James was an extemely courteous and well-mannered chap who was keen to talk to us on developing the access situation on the river for canoeists and took our details for further discussion on how we could help in any way.
It seems James would like to end the bitter dispute between Anglers, who he regularly chats to and indeed many of his friends are fishermen; and canoeists who he believed should be able to paddle what he described as a "fantastic river for canoeing" whenever they wished, and increase parking facilities etc. to stop overcrowding. He suggested he'd like to play a big role in developing a firm access agreement for the river.
He did seem however to be unsure on a few things:
- How access on rivers was actually brought about - is the best way for an annual fee to be paid etc.? He seemed to know little about the BCU and River Access campaign.
- Were there any other rivers in the area with similar access problems?
- He also had some knowledge, but not in great detail, of Cumbria Canoeists and the "open days" that are held throughout the year.
In our brief chat, myself and Captain Andy J attempted to steer him the right direction:
- Consider getting in touch with both BCU, River Access campaign, Cumbria Canoeists
- The nature of access for lakeland rivers in general
- Continue chatting to local and regular paddlers and collecting details (as he was doing with us) to get a feel for access, and I explained that local top level coaches and instructors can paddle this river weekly if not more, and these people are good to chat to.
Critically, we were extremely praisworthy of his efforts to get an access agreement sorted once and for all for the Leven, and explained how refreshing it was to have such a well-mannered discussion with a supportive landowner.
The reason I am posting this is:
- If you are a regular paddler of the Leven, or indeed a coach, don't be surprised to see James keen to chat to you supportively (assuming you are not doing something silly)
- If you are involved in the access campaign DIRECTLY(!), I would urge you to attempt to get in touch with James: the landowner of the estate (again surname I have forgotten, but will update soon), because if he receives some guidance, I believe this could potentially be a big milestone for access on the Leven.
- Has anyone else chatted to James - and had similar discussions with him?
One way or the other, a great days paddling was all the better for this chat!
Matt H,
LUUCC
At the get-out at Haverthwaite, with the van and minibus loaded we were approached by the landowner of the estate for the majority of the lower section of the Leven downstream of Backbarrow: a Mr. James <surname escapes me> but will update soon, out walking his labrador. Of course, that heart-sinking feeling was our immediate reaction, but to our surprise and extreme satisfaction, James was an extemely courteous and well-mannered chap who was keen to talk to us on developing the access situation on the river for canoeists and took our details for further discussion on how we could help in any way.
It seems James would like to end the bitter dispute between Anglers, who he regularly chats to and indeed many of his friends are fishermen; and canoeists who he believed should be able to paddle what he described as a "fantastic river for canoeing" whenever they wished, and increase parking facilities etc. to stop overcrowding. He suggested he'd like to play a big role in developing a firm access agreement for the river.
He did seem however to be unsure on a few things:
- How access on rivers was actually brought about - is the best way for an annual fee to be paid etc.? He seemed to know little about the BCU and River Access campaign.
- Were there any other rivers in the area with similar access problems?
- He also had some knowledge, but not in great detail, of Cumbria Canoeists and the "open days" that are held throughout the year.
In our brief chat, myself and Captain Andy J attempted to steer him the right direction:
- Consider getting in touch with both BCU, River Access campaign, Cumbria Canoeists
- The nature of access for lakeland rivers in general
- Continue chatting to local and regular paddlers and collecting details (as he was doing with us) to get a feel for access, and I explained that local top level coaches and instructors can paddle this river weekly if not more, and these people are good to chat to.
Critically, we were extremely praisworthy of his efforts to get an access agreement sorted once and for all for the Leven, and explained how refreshing it was to have such a well-mannered discussion with a supportive landowner.
The reason I am posting this is:
- If you are a regular paddler of the Leven, or indeed a coach, don't be surprised to see James keen to chat to you supportively (assuming you are not doing something silly)
- If you are involved in the access campaign DIRECTLY(!), I would urge you to attempt to get in touch with James: the landowner of the estate (again surname I have forgotten, but will update soon), because if he receives some guidance, I believe this could potentially be a big milestone for access on the Leven.
- Has anyone else chatted to James - and had similar discussions with him?
One way or the other, a great days paddling was all the better for this chat!
Matt H,
LUUCC