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[CalicoJack]

Ok, heres a topic that you all might be interested in! If you live in the north west you'll know about New Brighton model boating lake. Recently there has been some major conflicts between the "Animal Rights" activists and "Model Boaters" as to the correct use of this "Model Boating Lake". Here's some comments that have been made in the local newspaper:

Original Article -
ONCE again, as last year, the model boating lake in New Brighton has been invaded by swans. Although this may appear to be nice, pollution in the water and the filth around the pool is surely a health hazard. People feeding the swans and pigeons obviously leave behind decaying bread and other foods. Hence, it makes it hazardous to sail model boats due to the pollution and the possibility of infection. Will Wirral Council be doing anything to address this and discourage the feeding of birds - or do we have to wait until someone is seriously ill?
- Michael Fox
- Heswall

Reply 1 -
Why dont you torpedo the swans from your submarines or blast them out of the water with your replica 12" guns or even tow them out of the way with your tugs or indeed if you are that concerned about disease and pestulance move to Gautby Road.
- Dave Rimmer
- Wallasey

Reply 2 -
Really, Mr Fox, use your common sense and stop being so petulant; it is not the council’s responsibility to put signs up stating the obvious. Take responsibility for yourself by simply wearing a pair of water-proof gloves and making sure that you wash your hands afterwards. It’s the same advice given to children and so is good enough for you, too. As a resident of New Brighton I am delighted to see such a fine bevy of swans harboured safely and in tranquillity, especially during these occasionally drab months. If you cannot abide such a pleasure, Mr Fox, and if you are so selfish as to begrudge sharing, then please do the decent thing and go elsewhere. Perhaps once you have matured enough to have as much grace as the swans you decry, then we’ll welcome you back in spring.
- Jeremy Burgess
- New Brighton

Reply 3 -
I would like to reply about the Swans surly these lovely birds dont throw the beer cans in the boat pool? and these model boat people might get their pleasure sailing their boats but the decent people get great pleasure in feeding the swans.
- Dave Pyke
- Wallasey

Reply 4 -
The swans and 'boat people' can, and have lived graciously together for many years, if it aint broke don't fix it...
- Jack Frost
- Wirral

Reply 5 -
i would like my say about the Swans Approximately one month ago I took my RC boat To the pond and I was not happy it is a small boat pond not a big lake my boat stopped as did my Dads and when wee pulled them out are bots had clusters of feathers the one on mine was about ½ foot long and It stunk like dead animals and there is no way that pond is healthy for them or use and you try keeping kids from dipping there hands in the water it is impossible.
- John
- Moreton

I am just wondering what you all think about this?

[John W E]

Hi there mate, if you think this is bad, you ought to try the Marine Park Lake South Shields - there are approximately 120 swans on this lake, along with Canadian Geese - havent seen the Mountie there yet though  you name it, seagulls etc., they are there.

The paths where you walk around the edge of the lake are in a horrendous state, it takes you 20 minutes walking around the lake, trying to find a clean area where you can put your boat in the water withinout kneeling on bird excrement.   So you can well imagine the stench around the paths.  Complains go unheeded by South Tyneside Council and it has been brought to their attention that the lake was originally built to sail model yachts on.   

You have to live hand in hand with the birds, but, if you are going to encourage the wildlife, the Council has to clean up and make sure the water insnt contaminated.

One thing South Tyneside Council tend not to listen too is during the war, the clubhouse was bombed and when it come to rebuilt it/repair it after the war they were just going to turn it into a cafe and they were stopped by Government officials because it is written in their records that any building on that particular piece of land or anything of the lake must be for the use of model boats and model yachts - and, so the Council rebuilt the clubhouse as it was and the lake is there primarly for the use of model boats and model yachts.

aye
john e
bluebird

[sheerline]

Reply 2 was interesting, that person obviously thinks that the only people wishing to put their hands in the water are adults who might have the foresight to take hygene precautions. What about toddlers and kids who wish to play around with the water ..and even possibly paddle in it? Not all youngsters are accompanied by adults and would be oblivious to the potential health hazards.
As a model enthusiast, you will be regarded as sub-human by the 'worlds a wonderful place' left wingers. Perhaps if  you had belonged to a wildlife protection organisation and had approached the council re- the health hazards to people and birds alike, they may have stuck a sign up prohibiting the feeding of birds on that stretch of water.
I love swans, they are beautiful creatures and we should care for them but the world is for humankind also and if the boating hobby does not interfere with the swans well being, there should be room for all and the health of both should be considered.
I am afraid you are up against it when it comes to the attitudes shown in the replies and as a modeller, will be regarded as way down on the list of people who have a voice.
I hate to sound negative but people do become vehemently opposed to anything model related and will always fail to see reason or commonsense when opinoins of modellers are expressed. Looking at the replies, some of them are just downright rude and ignorant!
Good luck with it, you will need it.
Regards... Chris

[sheerline]

Just as a postscript to my first posting, and perhaps I shouldnt say this: One of my customers had problems with swans attacking his boats.......then he bought a submarine. The swan made a bee-line for the boat when it was first put in the water, he dived his sub and left the swan circling the area looking for it. The sub inadvertantly surfaced right next to the swan and scared the living
 cr-p out of it.. so much so, it has never gone near a model boat again. Now the boaters and swans alike enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the lake...swans on their side and boaters on the other.
Now I am not suggesting you do this ::) as I don't want to wind the lefties up but I merely relate it as a point of interest.

[malcolmfrary]

Both at Fleetwood and Fairhaven, the local councils, having been lobbied to clean the mess on a regular basis to reduce the health hazard, put up request signs in conjunction with the RSPB pointing out that feeding wild birds is not a good idea.  The sign at Fleetwood gets my vote as it explains why in rather graphic detail. The incidence of bird feeding, and the total population at Fairhaven, has reduced greatly in the past couple of years.  The bird dropping minefield is no longer the problem it was, but the population of ducks, moorhens and coots has increased.
The population of swans at Fleetwood dropped very suddenly about that time, but this was due to an outbreak of illness.  This could have been brought about by the habit of local cafe owners dumping unwanted sandwiches at the endof the working day.  As virtually no modern sandwiches are mayo-free, I suspect that some elderly mayo infected them.
The RSPB disaproves feeding wild migratory birds as it teaches them to go to and depend on humans, and the next human might not regard the bird as a feathered friend so much as a potential meal.
The large number at New Brighton probably have Fairhaven accents.  Thanks for looking after them for us, but we dont want them back, either.

[Ghost in the shell]

as for fowl foul the council asks you to "clean up after your dog" thing is you know what comes out of your dog, not what comes out of a bird. 

[Bryan Young]

The paths where you walk around the edge of the lake are in a horrendous state, it takes you 20 minutes walking around the lake, trying to find a clean area where you can put your boat in the water withinout kneeling on bird excrement.   So you can well imagine the stench around the paths.  Complains go unheeded by South Tyneside Council and it has been brought to their attention that the lake was originally built to sail model yachts on.   

You have to live hand in hand with the birds, but, if you are going to encourage the wildlife, the Council has to clean up and make sure the water insnt contaminated.
Hi, John. The problem is just as acute at Tynemouth. But as a "rider", the hazard is not just to humans. Dogs take a delight in "diving" into the lake. The water is so polluted with both "run-off" and bird muck that dogs must be in danger, and then they pass on all sorts of stuff to their owners. We try to warn the owners and some take heed....others, well, enough said. Swans are a menace though. Big and very territorial so attack other "visiting" swans. Its like watching Concorde aborting a "take-off". Councils take notice? Nah. Too busy claiming their "expenses" (our "elected" mayor apparently claimed over £50.000 in expenses last year).

One thing South Tyneside Council tend not to listen too is during the war, the clubhouse was bombed and when it come to rebuilt it/repair it after the war they were just going to turn it into a cafe and they were stopped by Government officials because it is written in their records that any building on that particular piece of land or anything of the lake must be for the use of model boats and model yachts - and, so the Council rebuilt the clubhouse as it was and the lake is there primarly for the use of model boats and model yachts.

[DickyD]

Hey guys, look and weep, not one flamin bird. 

[MikeK]

After years of putting up with the Geordie swans, along with John. I moved 'darn sarf' and joined Gosport MYC - again two lakes designed for model boats and again a growing colony of swans. The smaller lake where the swans mainly hang out regularly turns a weird shade of pink and stinks to high heaven, and the banks and surrounds have taken up the coating of swan/bird crap. The Gosport Council do take their responsibilities seriously and treat the lake with barley bales and post notices around the border asking the public not to feed the swans as they are part of the cause. The notices last about a week before being torn down and it was overheard a remark by one of these stalwarts to the effect "What right have they to tell us not to feed the swans"  Hopefully one of these days HRH will exercise her rights and start eating the bloody things again as they lead a charmed life under her protection  >:(

Mike

[DickyD]

Just so as you keep them down your end of the M27 MikeK. She can collect them from there,

[Circlip]

     Now come on lads we all know that playing with toy boats is only two levels up from senility in 'normal' peoples
     eyes.   50 years ago we had a raging correspondence in the local rag about 'SCREAMING JET BOATS' on our
     local park lake, - ED Racer and ED Hunter.  Have thought about taking Airboat - Silenced OS 40 up and giving
     it a whiz to see how long it will take for mounties ( our park rangers are now on motor bikes ) to arrive and turf
     me off, cos i've no doubt there'll be a new byelaw against it. We had Ducks to contend with, one reason for US
     not to play 'It might upset the ducks from breeding'   Re Swans, did bird flu disappear? bet the authorities would
     do a clean up if that started again, but  they'd probably fence the pond off.

[MCR]

During a visit by Princess Ann to Saltwell park in the none too distant past Gateshead council spent hours jet washing the footpaths before the visit. They have never been seen since!

[kiteman1]

Has anyone tried phoning the Queen........... :angel:

[Ghost in the shell]

Has anyone tried phoning the Queen........... :angel:

"does one want some bloody big birds? come and bloody get em"

[MikeK]

Just so as you keep them down your end of the M27 MikeK. She can collect them from there,

Now if only I could find a way of enticing them on to the M27, that might sort it - providing it isn't the rush hour of course, you have to have moving cars to squash 'em 
I did see an article on tv recently about some nasty swan ailment, something to do with red feathers, that the Americans have found in their birds and now also over here. Maybe nature might take a hand in it bye and bye  ::) ::)

Mike

[DickyD]

When there used to be gaps in the traffic on the M27 swans used to land on it in the rain thinking it was a river-----------------ssplaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatt. Could this be something to work on hmmmmm ? :-\

[Liverbudgie2]

Anybody with an IC powered boat is duly invited to use the lake - the more the better.

I may well put an ad in the Wally news, The Globe and the Liverpool Echo in Polish, Latvian and other other eastern European language I can think of informing the nationals of such countries were they might find their dinners.

[The long Build]

How about a fleet of Springers attached with taser Guns ??

[Ghost in the shell]

nah, not tasers, BB guns

[Brian_C]

if you have a fowl problem,  (who you gonna call)  GOOSEBSTERS. 

[DickyD]

What is a GOOSEBSTERS or should that be are GOOSEBSTERS ?   :-\

[Ghost in the shell]

goosebusters

[CalicoJack]

So back on topic --> Here's another reply from the paper today:

Gill Barker, New Brighton -
     I read with semi amusement Mr. "Fox's" letter to the Globe on 17th October about the mute swans who use the small boating lake in New Brighton. The model boating lake was built in 1927 for children to sail their toy boats.
     Mr. Fox implies that the swans carry Zoonoses diseases (diseases which can be passed from animals/birds to humans).
     Infact, there are no known diseases which can be passed from mute swans to humans, through contact or contact with their faeces. I live around the corner to the boating lake, I pass the boating lake at least twice a day and can tell you that many, many more people get the pleasure from visiting the lake to feed the swans than use the lake for sailing their model boats!
     The swans make no mess. I can also say that whilst the swans are in the lake there are no pigeons present, there are numerous gulls in attendance competing for the food which is an offer from visitors old and young.
     What I think the "cunning Mr Fox" is trying to do is convince Globe readers that the swans are dangerous so that the minority who occasionally float their boats on the lake are not inconvenienced. I think that instead of Mr. Fox suggesting that Wirral ratepayers use their hard earned cash to get rid of the New Brighton swans so that he can play with his toy boat, he should remember that swans, their nesting and feeding areas are protected by law and each time they drain the lake they could be breaking the law.
     I suggest he stays in Heswall and leaves our swans alone.

Where do you start with this one???

# Whats with the toy boats? Some of these boats take long hours to build!
# Where did Mr Fox say about Zoonoses diseases?
# It's true that people get pleasure from feeding the swans, but it's always bread which isn't good for them! Not to mention the stuff they dont eat...
# "The swans make no mess"!!!
# Draining the lake is breaking the law! If it wasn't drained it would be public health hazourd, look like pea soup and smell like a rotting flesh!

In other words she's off her trolley!

[Colin Bishop]

e should remember that swans, their nesting and feeding areas are protected by law and each time they drain the lake they could be breaking the law.

So prosecute the swans then, they shouldn't drink so much!

[Colin H]

Hi Guys,

Is it Gill Barker or Gill `Barking` mad.

As an aside as an ex wild fowler (not fit enough these days) I can tell you BB guns won't work you need a bl--ding cannon.

Yours Colin H.