Tewkesbury Gossip

Positive Stories: Tewkesbury is changing for the better with the the historic grade 11* listed Black Bear public house which is now complete & operational with some talented artists playing live music out on the lawn, with further investment in the riverside property that is also now looking stunning, further planning permission granted in 2024 for the investors for some of the Healing Mill development after 12 years of negotiation so hopefully the Healing Mill will follow... which should help with the regeneration of Tewkesbury Town & Towns waterway & the derelict vistas of this lovely riverside location could complete the beautification process at this gorgeous riverside location.

Tewkesbury info/ We are interested in supporting entrepreneurs of all ages interested in building better spaces on Tewkesbury's quay front & Bathurst's Island & Avon waterways, improving the local leisure activities on water, for day trips & days out on the water on King Johns Island designated picnic area. yes it is a real challenge to build better spaces, A drive for investment in the Town & riverside with a fair chance for everyone to compete & operate a small business on the waterway for a new generation to enjoy & not just those with friends in the right places of local Authority or Avon Navigation partnerships.

Fair for all?

People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones	Support all investors large & small	Mill Avon June 2024 Help & support?
Love added, Wow 5yrs hard work leading by example!	Love added, Flowers & a small budget	12 years of planning 2024 still waiting...
Rear end help!	Years of hard work ahead Support Investment

The first meeting with the AVON NAVIGATION TRUST (ANT) it is confirmed they were the other bidders for king Johns Island Moorings, at this meeting we offered help for ANT Volunteers & the idea of a floating museum with any ticket proceeds going to the Trust funds for that purpose? Another very awkward meeting! Navigating the Problems for success, obstructive, obvious obstacles made clear from the outset, no support, refusing to discuss scope of operation, much mention of being scrutinised in the meeting their main focus! & their annoyance at our purchase, we are assuming spoiled plans with others set up to trade there? So delays in information, we are told, staff are on holliday, off sick or working part time hours or working one day per week, every time we ask for information? all delayed responses, obstruction in carrying out improvements with the insistence of work permits for even simple works all to be checked & agreed by the CEO & trust board! every detail! Minimum 8 weeks to respond each time note maximum 12 weeks! which is what happens with us, intentionally adding months & months for simple information requests Or works, then directed to the CRT website for any information they do not know or have online? funnily enough then your told the CRT info does not apply! The Canal & River Trusts (CRT) system is an open & fair system so fair for all (open to public scrutiny) ANT is a closed trust in control, aged outdated overbearing procedures & controls systematically prevents anything happening at all outside the clique of partnerships! Obvious purposefully circular correspondence, to add difficulty a council member mentioned at our 1st meeting! we later find out is the director of a competitor business, which opens up just 6 weeks later & opening with full ANT support!

Healings Mill development so far has taken12 years .....lots of extra burdens & costs makes starting or running any business an almost impossible task before you can even start, never mind develop a road for success, which in turn helps in the costs of constant improvements & regeneration, one constant required for the towns quays to stay attractive, we still wait for information on many issues from the Avon Navigation Trust (business) Many issues, land that is not theirs just one of many..

Tewkesbury one of Englands Finest assets:

Love & passion: For the attention of those with the power to make positive changes for everyone who loves Englands rich history, Tewkesbury Town & the Waterways, a large dose of healing is required.

Town Councillors, County Councillors, Clive Mathews (ANT), Nick Salice (Planning Authority) Environment Agency, All those in the process of regeneration & levelling up.

10 year Tewkesbury Town regeneration plans.

The last three 10 year Tewkesbury Town regeneration plans have all stated the importance of Town’s historical waterways being a key part for Tewkesbury Towns success, Originally like the previous owners we were enthused to make a difference in Tewkesbury & inspired by Englands historical past & inspired by the passion that makes Stratford Upon Avon a jewel in the crown, The Big problems in Tewkesbury, Planning & the Healings Mill area with the entrance to the river the most run down areas of the town, recordings of drug dealing, anti social behaviour rife & reported in many areas on the town crime map, theft from shops sometimes now hourly not daily, groups of drunken males threatening or intimidating others as with many areas of the uk, assaults, drunken night time anglers & further threat from those involved in the lucrative illegal fishing for Elvers, the more you dig deeper into the issues at the riverside & try to resolve the issues around the quays & then notify others to try to get support in some positive action...there is a realisation point! a wall of denial! Open discussion to resolve many issues is simply an accepted standard of disrepair & crime, The Healing Mill remedy hopefully does not take another 12 years…never mind any action be granted to improve the run down riverwalk, quays or crime & the councils iron bridge could be painted while we wait if anyone really cares about positive change.

We would like to address everyone working hard & involved or interested in seeing positive changes in the area or involved in the regeneration processes of Tewkesbury Towns long term planning for levelling prosperity, where good people love to return & make a difference, can a plan of action be reached or agreed upon? we wrote to Clive Mathews Avon Navigation Trust (ANT) some 3 years ago now... No reply! discussing the scope for the quays area & of Bathurst’s boat yard, (see secretary of states planning inspectors view, who protected the importance of Bathurst’s boat yard & riverside history for Tewkesbury towns long term planning, The Secretary of states comments on the benefits to local people & leisure activities, also the benefit & importance to businesses within the town & long term town planning for the future, we still await a response from the Avon Navigation Trust (ANT) after repeated requests for information & support on scope as stated by the Secretary of State, No more restrictions! (See many previous letters sent on plans for the area sent to the Avon Navigation Trust (ANT Business)

A plan of action without squabble would be the first hurdle to create a good plan for the future of the town & area, with an agreed scope of operation for the areas, resolve Issues with deeds of the river bed & also finding the Planning documents that are still missing??? 3 years on..after many many requests..... so all very obstructive & non productive? we have suggested many ideas for improvement to the waterways with the ANT, similar to improvements in Gloucester docks which are reaping many rewards & awards, where everyone is enjoying the waterway & the investment that brings results for everyone around the docks & riverside, supporting initiatives attract those who have the driving passion to improve a waterside location.

The Big Issue INVESTMENT IS REQUIRED Now seems simply outside the clique of accepted partnerships? the very intention seems all about preventing other businesses competing or being involved creating better spaces like the ANT's business partners! so alarming for any free enterprise to try and make a difference? A free economy? non leaves a stagnating economy at riverside... nothing getting done all controlled by a few people with all the power!? everyone should have a fair chance? which the ANT states as its purpose in the rhetoric & monthly magazines? Positive PR? create investment & opportunity for everyone on the river, support & regenerate the riverside? we are still waiting for many issues to be resolved 3 years on... The partnerships obviously receive any full time effort with support in processing the requirements of any permits to operate easily & quickly without issue? licensing, regulations & legislation, supported on scope of business etc issues quickly resolved so they make sure the partnerships stay afloat, so how does the riverside ever achieve the extra sparkle of yesteryears free formed & now liquidated businesses of Bathurst's, Shakespeare or Robinson's boat yards that did so well before the scope of operation was defined for them by the Avon Navigation Trust (Business)! begs another question? Did they get genuine support to survive? (any new stories please get in touch) as they failed no chance of beating off the failure! Three once thriving working waterside businesses? How do we attract young brave & bold entrepreneurs with the drive and passion to get the required work done in the dilapidated areas of riverside with a paid wage! which is the only option for a resilient future & functioning river for licence payers.

Help without the help of a Navigation Authority that States it is designed & set up to help regenerate the waterway & all businesses (what's best for the river?) when the Avon Navigation Trust has a https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00857695

Avon Navigation trust (ANT): Nature of business (SIC)

The only stated SIC code is 50300 - Inland passenger water transport! that begs another question in the validity of such statements of conservation & preservation? lots of positives in the monthly magazine....truth also has a calling for fairness...when the original setup is a very clear statement of intention! When you are seeking fair treatment to trade without any intentional obstruction! it is clear as other trip operators who have shared with us when hearing of our position through the very negative lockside gossipers! the same very issues of obstruction in trading. Sometimes you have to dig deep! to understand why this would be the case? looking into the issues with the Avon Navigation Trust as a Navigation Authority & the unfair control!!! if it is a competitor how can that ever trade fair? especially when you purchased the moorings they wanted for whatever reason? possibly a Trip boat? like at evesham

Two sides to every coin & awareness is the key to a positive change in attitude? Expect Fierce opposition when lucrative cash only boat trips have operated on the river in various places for the same period for over 75 years... there will always be a wall of protection. How do new entrepreneurs brave enough for a water life get the chance to at least try to regenerate the riverside with a fair scope to operate issued! those requests denied by the master in charge every time! when that information holds the Quay to success & he knows exactly what he is doing! that control remains firmly in the hands of the trust & CEO! resolution of the ongoing issues of fairness is the one constant constraint of control that protects this position! & prevents regeneration & fair competition.......no price fixing!

The intention set from the out set is clear, it is clear in the business registration SIC: Inland passenger water transport! that focus rather than the SIC code the Canal & River (CRT) Trust use: see below as I want to raise those concerns with the ANT trust now in the open! instead of private email, as they leave us no options other than chase a resolution how ever long it takes......

Canal & river trust (CRT): Nature of business (SIC) codes

36000 - Water collection, treatment and supply
52220 - Service activities incidental to water transportation
91020 - Museums activities
91030 - Operation of historical sites and buildings and similar visitor attractions

What is really going on..... Scrutiny was promised us! on our first meet up! so we are returning that favour so there is no choice other than to dig deeper to find out what's actually going on in the background, as you are searching for integrity & a true body that offers equal opportunity to all which is required for progress in a modern waterway to make it future proof against dereliction? may be change to the long term leaders well protected safe seat? so you have to dig deeper...especially when the river has so much disrepair 75 years on since the trust was created by Dudley Mathews & others members? which again begs a focus of attention? of those benefiting the most from the ANT business & whose family set the business & others up? A long period of time has passed & Clive Mathews still paid £110,000 plus expenses per year when perused the online accounts....after being informed by an ANT member after sharing his & others opinions on this matter...

To as much as £8250.000 yes £8.25 million pounds in today's money not spent on regeneration of the public's rivers & locks & services?...as the volunteers operate with free good intentions...Now with lots of license payers complaining of constant lock closures & derelict structures...as they try to navigate even in the summer months is a bitter pill to swallow! for honest licence payers, when you pay your licence fees & pay your way to try to do your bit to pay for the regeneration because you love the waterway, Building on the trust difficult we are sure? though the trust seems for us to operate under it's own set of rules for itself as a business & to boot that is a huge sum on repairs lost!

When the good volunteers workforce work without even simple expenses paid? at this moment in time begs the final question after recent discussion with some disgruntled members in conversations about fairness & equality for all members if it is truly a trust! so for us seems the same standard of inequality that still rules with the iron fist.....those old style rules will apply for the foreseeable future...& detrimental to progressing the river into what the forfathers set their goals out to do on the surface at least, for the good of everyone to enjoy the river & be part of Shakespeares river Avon & build better spaces for everyone.....

Humour is always required though when seeking Equality for all those interested in making a difference in a life on the water? the future seems as ugly as the large scale effluent left to float down stream in this beautiful River Avon Navigation & others, sewage, millions of gallons of shit to sift & wade through & just another battle tewkesbury is known for & not all smelling of roses, there will always be a third! that gets away.

TEWKESBURY RIVERSIDE WAS ONCE GREAT!

Healings, Bathurst's, Beecham's & Shakespeare!

Though the positives are many supportive minds all working hard fighting the regulation & legislation system that holds community spirit back from actioning anything for them selves, The Black Bear took five years of investment & dedication, jumping through all the legislative hoops to open... so we expect long delays... there are always those with a disgruntled, jealous or preventative type tyrant mindset working hard in the background focused on prevention & looking after themselves!?...though far more good people investing time & effort in Tewkesbury, many for free, Passion drives their intentions...as crime is rife & rising like the river... so the town needs some good repairs & hard work by everyone allowed to be involved... can good intentions overcome all the evils at bay! only time will tell...investors are on the way & more good people doing their best & leading by example looking to create better spaces for everyone to enjoy.