Click on a picture to see a bigger version.
Historic working boat Radiant blocking the bridgehole
with the other boats behind her
|
Christine Russell, MP is wearing the black coat and Paul
Roberts, Leader of the Chester City Council is on the right in the
mac
|
Local organiser Gillian Bolt writes:-
The Chester Protest Event far exceeded our wildest
expectations ! We selected Cow Lane Bridge site as a place where we could
hopefully engage with as many members of the public as possible and it proved
to be perfect for that. Banners from various organisations including waterside
businesses Midway Boats and Nantwich Canal Centre (supporting the protest) were
emblazoned across the bridge itself. Boat Museum Society members kindly brought
Nbs "Gifford" and "Radiant" to be the centre piece and with other local boats
in attendance we had sufficient numbers for our symbolic "blockade". Half way
through the day the local restaurant boat joined us for half an hour to show
solidarity!
As well as local supporters, a mini bus full (plus baby)
came from IWA Stoke on Trent branch and others from Shrewsbury so there were
probably up to 50 of us carrying placards, giving out leaflets and asking
people to sign our petitions. A PA system meant that we could tell people why
we were there and what the protest was about. Live radio interviews on Marcher
Sound, Radio Merseyside (Friday & Saturday), Dee 106.3 and front page
coverage in the Chester Standard meant that many people already knew about the
protest and some said they had specifically come into town to sign our petition
and get further information. BBC Manchester had also sent a television
freelance cameraman along to film us in action. Chester MP, Christine Russell,
joined protestors along with Paul Roberts, Leader of Chester City Council and
several of his colleagues.
The aim: to engage with the general public, make them aware
of the funding cuts and encourage them to write to their MP's and sign our
petition.
Number of leaflets given out - 1350 (we ran out by 2.30 pm
despite a valiant effort by one of our party who cycled home, photocopied
another 100 copies and pedalled furiously back again!).
Number of people who signed our petition: 1656 people !!
They were queuing up - we had FIVE petition points in the end.
Two of the park & ride bus drivers even stopped their
buses, opened the door and invited our petition holders in so that they could
sign up too.
A plentiful supply of tea, coffee and mince pies kept
protestors in good spirits and in good voice for our "Protest Chant" - "What
do we want?" "Cut the Cuts !!"etc. |
