WITH reference to your issue of 9th November 2012 and the coverage of the new moorings for the Middle Level Watermen’s Club.

I was somewhat amused and amazed to read that 100 boats had attended a special event two years ago.

The event referred to was the Association of Nene River Clubs’ annual rally, to which MLWC are host every six years or so. The first such rally, hosted by The Watermen, was in 1968, in the days when boaters actually attended by boat.

I have served as Harbour Master at every March based rally from and including that occasion, and only once did we attract 100 boats, approximately 30 years ago.

The attendance by boat, two years ago, was around 30, and the majority attended by car or caravan. A sad, modern practice from my viewpoint.

The “gentlemen’s agreement” which existed between The Watermen and March RBL Club for nearly 50 years was no longer working to the advantage of either. Consequently, our old base has been abandoned in favour of the new one.

I can understand the euphoria of some of our members at obtaining club moorings, with security, but I fear one or two might have got carried away by both the occasion and the mistaken purpose of the moorings.

BRIAN GOWLER

West End

March