Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Model Boating => Topic started by: CalicoJack on October 31, 2007, 01:33:06 pm

Title: Swan Invasion!
Post by: CalicoJack on October 31, 2007, 01:33:06 pm: 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?
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: John W E on October 31, 2007, 01:49:18 pm: 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
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: sheerline on October 31, 2007, 02:13:14 pm: 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
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: sheerline on October 31, 2007, 02:23:59 pm: 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.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: malcolmfrary on October 31, 2007, 02:30:31 pm: 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.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Ghost in the shell on October 31, 2007, 04:12:29 pm: 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.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Bryan Young on October 31, 2007, 04:31:44 pm: 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.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: DickyD on October 31, 2007, 04:35:12 pm: Hey guys, look and weep, not one flamin bird. O0
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: MikeK on October 31, 2007, 04:53:59 pm: 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
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: DickyD on October 31, 2007, 04:57:03 pm: Just so as you keep them down your end of the M27 MikeK. She can collect them from there, O0
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Circlip on October 31, 2007, 05:04:50 pm:    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.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: MCR on October 31, 2007, 05:49:42 pm: 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!
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: kiteman1 on October 31, 2007, 06:11:49 pm: Has anyone tried phoning the Queen........... {-) {-) >>:-( >>:-( >>:-( :angel:
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Ghost in the shell on October 31, 2007, 06:15:35 pm: Quote from: kiteman1 on October 31, 2007, 06:11:49 pm
Has anyone tried phoning the Queen........... {-) {-) >>:-( >>:-( >>:-( :angel:
"does one want some bloody big birds? come and bloody get em"
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: MikeK on October 31, 2007, 06:25:07 pm: Quote from: DickyD on October 31, 2007, 04:57:03 pm
Just so as you keep them down your end of the M27 MikeK. She can collect them from there, O0

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 ;D
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
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: DickyD on October 31, 2007, 06:36:29 pm: 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 ? :-\
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Liverbudgie2 on October 31, 2007, 07:08:05 pm: 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. 8)
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: The long Build on October 31, 2007, 07:16:04 pm: How about a fleet of Springers attached with taser Guns ??
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Ghost in the shell on October 31, 2007, 07:20:57 pm: nah, not tasers, BB guns :P
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Brian_C on October 31, 2007, 08:27:17 pm: if you have a fowl problem, (who you gonna call) GOOSEBSTERS. O0 O0 O0 O0 O0 O0 {-) {-) {-) {-) ;)
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: DickyD on October 31, 2007, 08:43:19 pm: What is a GOOSEBSTERS or should that be are GOOSEBSTERS ? :-\
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Ghost in the shell on October 31, 2007, 08:48:09 pm: goosebusters
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: CalicoJack on October 31, 2007, 08:51:45 pm: 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! >>:-( >>:-( >>:-( >>:-( >>:-( >>:-( >>:-( >>:-(
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Colin Bishop on October 31, 2007, 08:58:09 pm: Quote
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!
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Colin H on October 31, 2007, 09:31:58 pm: 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.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: CalicoJack on October 31, 2007, 09:44:27 pm: One solution could very well be the 12” replica guns…not turned onto the swans, but the silly people that feed them. I happen to like swans; they are elegant and therapeutic to watch BUT….

Although I am obviously not sitting there dreamily staring at them 24/7, I have watched one crash into the road on take off, another damaged its foot and hobble back to the lake when it crunched into the wall….lets face it the lake is too small for them to take off from comfortably, especially after they have fed to bursting on very unhealthy food. It is made worse by knowing that this ‘easy’ food, which is not doing their health very much good, is being given to them by people who actually claim to love the swans. Now that is totally bazaar isn’t it?

This purpose built concrete walled little model boating lake is not built for paddling and swimming and certainly children should never be unaccompanied whilst playing around it. In the past 2 years it has certainly become rather smelly and full of nasty things including the beer tins, but I am sure it is not the model boat people that throw them in as insinuated in one letter. On the contrary it is the club that cleans the lake out, so very unkind to suggest it is them that are polluting it.

I was sad to hear about the lake at South Shields. I think I have a very old photo taken in the 20’s of a lake up there with folks all gathered about watching the model boats. I will dig it out and show it to you. It was taken in the days when children were thrilled to feed the swans with bits of bread torn from a crust and not slices from a whole loaf, the price of which would better be given to the worlds starving children and would also be healthier for the swans too.

It was lovely to see the swans on the large marina today, but natural environments which provide healthy natural swan food, has got to be much better for them than human refined bread. The unnecessary comment of saying the model engineering is a sign of senility was totally out of order. I’ll bet you who said this, occupies the day with things that other people might find questionable. Please folks don’t get abusive….lets find solutions so everyone can be happy, don’t feed the swans at this little lake as it endangers them, let the model engineers, young and old, enjoy their hobby and viewers like you and me can enjoy both and know that the swans will live healthy long lives rather than short unhealthy lives…you eat health food, so don’t feed your refined food to them please. :D
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: MikeK on October 31, 2007, 10:41:07 pm: Cannot agree more CJ, unfortunately you are preaching to the converted hereabouts ::) ::)

Mike
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: malcolmfrary on October 31, 2007, 11:05:18 pm: I had a look at my local bye-laws, Fylde Borough Council Bye law 26, section 14C applies. Other councils might have something similar.

http://www.fylde.gov.uk/documents/original/26.pdf
"No person shall in the ground.............intentionally obstruct any other person in theproper use of the ground, or behave so as to give reasonable grounds for annoyance to other persons in the ground."
This means that somebody having paid the council for the use of a facility has reasonable grounds for greivance if somebody else takes action which impedes that activity. The penalties are minor - they shall be escorted by either a park official or constable from the area - refusal to be so escorted is another matter.

The incidence of bird feeding has dropped dramatically since the notices went up, just a few rabid feeders left. The idiots who came down in twos and threes with two full carrier bags of unopened loaves in each hand no longer appear.

"Swans don't make a mess" {-) {-) {-) She must be totally delusional. Is she totally unaware that most of what goes in one end comes out the other end within minutes?
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: sheerline on October 31, 2007, 11:13:06 pm: Reading the letter from GB has re-inforced my original post on this matter. The words 'ignorant, arrogant ,youghurt sipping left wing trendy cretins' springs to mind....... did I leave anything out??
These 'beings' are the types who swallow all the governments crap about global warming, re-cycling, child education ,discipline and immigration, hook line and sinker and spout it from the rooftops as gospel.
The big worry is that there are rather a lot of them about and sad to say, they will inherit the earth.
Oh well, off to the workshop to hang myself again!!
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: John W E on November 01, 2007, 09:52:34 am: Hi there,

Just a couple of pics of the other day's sail - I managed to find an area (just) without getting me knees full of excrement from the Geordie Swans.

It might make MikeK homesick...but I very much doubt it....but then if you have a look and you can see all the spots of s**t and it gets even worse the further around the lake you go.

>>:-(

aye
John e
bluebird
SOS - sh***y old swans {-)
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: John W E on November 01, 2007, 10:46:14 am: Bryan, I have just spied your posting. I wonder if it would be a good idea if you can refrain from copying others' postings. Instead, just add your own reply :) This is because, when people view the board to see your posting and reply all they see is the copied bit you had done, they dont bother reading most of it and are looking for your answer underneath which isnt there, what you have done this time is added it into my posting, and this is very confusing. >>:-( >>:-( >>:-(

aye
john e
bluebird
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: DickyD on November 01, 2007, 11:11:35 am: Isn't New Brighton supposed to be getting a new dedicated boating lake as part of a new development ? :-\
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Circlip on November 01, 2007, 12:23:59 pm: Calm down Calico, my comment on senility is one gained from more than 50 years of Most aspects of modelmaking
and when other people have learned about my childish hobby the statement ' Oh you're one of THOSE!' has been
bandied about. To some of them my reply has that my money has been spent in something creative and not p3333d
up against the wall of the local pub every night of the week! I you reduce your hobby to the lowest common
denominator ie TOYS, the critics are backed into a corner. When reading comments like the good lady's, one has
to modify one's earlier statement and regard ourselves as only ONE step up from senility, In OTHER PEOPLES EYES.

:embarrassed: :( Ian
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: MikeK on November 01, 2007, 01:45:12 pm: Thanks for the thoughts John, but didn't feel the slightest twinge of homesickness !! :'( :'( I seem to remember that the other side of the lake next to the miniature railway station was absolutely covered in the stuff. Do the council still run the fountains all night and switch them off at nine am ? Never could understand the logic {-)
Best regards

Mike
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: John W E on November 01, 2007, 01:48:11 pm: Hi ya there Mike

Do you know, I dont think they run those fountains at all now. Yes you are right beside the miniature railway station its absolutely thick with the owld.......you know what.

aye
john e
bluebird
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: red181 on November 01, 2007, 02:24:01 pm: Hi Dickyd,

The proposed redevelopment of New Brighton has been going on for years now, nothing ever seems to happen. For those that are not familiar with this place, its a 1960's seaside town, that has been decaying for years. I live very close, and love the place, it has a certain charm, being right on the Mersey/Irish sea estuary, The famous Liverpool waterfront as a backdrop. Unfortunately, there has been little redevelopment over the last 30 years, many of the original tourist attractions have gone, Tower similar to Blackpool, pier, outdoor swimming pool etc etc. It does however attract many many day visitors particularly at weekends, and the boating pool always has an audience for the model boats. Loads of kids are usually aroung with shop bought models, there is the beach, and large grass areas, golf, tennis etc etc
The problem is we are a small minority, in the general public eye we are big kids playing with toys, and the "feeders" will always be the majority. The lake had been drained by the local club to try and get the swans to congregate elsewhere, but I think the minute the water is back in, the feeders will return, and the birds will come back. We do have a couple of other lakes in the vacinity, and I will probably join one of those clubs so I can sail without the intimidation and ridicule the older boating community suffer at the hands of the "do-gooder bird feeders", being a bit younger, I can look after myself!, however my 2 boats are large and fast, so the swans get in my way, and being a protected bird I can be prosecuted if I hit one, imagine the press having a field day on that one! Beautiful bird hurt by man playing with toy boat!!
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: John W E on November 01, 2007, 02:56:23 pm: hi,

On reading the last post. I wonder if MikeK can recall a few years back when a swan taking off or landing (I cant remember) got itself entangled in the rigging and the sails of a large yacht. What a job they had to try and free the bird, he was quite naturally panicky and attacking everyone in his way (much to the amusement of everybody else).

I have also had a model, HMS Norfolk, wiped out by a swan crash landing on the helicopter deck - mighty big bird with a big attitude - and everyone saying ah the poor swan, poor bird, nobody cries out about the hours upon hours of building a model.

Oh well......whats the worst of the two evils - yobbos throwing stones at the models or aggressive vandalising swans! At least the swans have some use in life....what use are yobbos?

aye
john e
bluebird
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Circlip on November 01, 2007, 03:07:07 pm: John, perhaps it was myopic and mitook the H ffor an S

Ian
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: DickyD on November 01, 2007, 03:28:35 pm: Well pmdevlin maybe you should encourage these bird feeders to feed the swans more, even supply them with the bread, then when they have poisoned them all you will get your lake back. Or you could try reporting these feeders to the RSPB as feeding these swans refined food could be classed as cruelty. That is assuming you ignore my first suggestion. :-\
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Colin H on November 01, 2007, 03:32:17 pm: One of the problems revolves around the attitude of todays society.

I.E. ask a youngster where milk comes from and I would think about 50% would answer the `super market`. They are unable to relate milk to cow, or paper to tree or even cotton to plant. Everything is pre-packed bought of the shelf etc.

Therefore when they see you sailing a model that took a few hundred hours to build, they cannot relate to that fact. They themselves would expect to go to a `toy` store and buy one ready made and ready to sail. Hence the description `TOY`

The words `SKILL & CRAFTMANSHIP` are fast becoming redundant in this world and to the leftie twerps even repugnant.

Colin H.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Circlip on November 01, 2007, 04:34:09 pm: Whilst explaining to an 'oldie' how i had routed the linkage for a Tee tailer I was asked how long it had taken
to build the aircraft by a couple of 14 year olds. Oh about six weeks said I, Oh, thats too long came back.
This was THIRTY years ago, so how would you now explain this in todays age of INSTANT gratification?
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: MikeK on November 01, 2007, 04:38:24 pm: Quote from: Bluebird on November 01, 2007, 02:56:23 pm
hi,

On reading the last post. I wonder if MikeK can recall a few years back when a swan taking off or landing (I cant remember) got itself entangled in the rigging and the sails of a large yacht. What a job they had to try and free the bird, he was quite naturally panicky and attacking everyone in his way (much to the amusement of everybody else).

I have also had a model, HMS Norfolk, wiped out by a swan crash landing on the helicopter deck - mighty big bird with a big attitude - and everyone saying ah the poor swan, poor bird, nobody cries out about the hours upon hours of building a model.

Oh well......whats the worst of the two evils - yobbos throwing stones at the models or aggressive vandalising swans! At least the swans have some use in life....what use are yobbos?

aye
john e
bluebird
Yes I was down there that day, John. Cannot remember if it was a Marbelhead or 1M, but the swans were having one of their daft turns where they all try to take off and abort all in the length of the lake. One of them got it's wing inside the back stay and both proceeded to go in circles until one of the lads put the waders on and disentangled them. To add insult there used to be a bearded/sandled type who was the (I assume) self elected swan protector and he had the cheek to come up and tell us we shouldn't be sailing when the swans were there >>:-( He certainly got an earful of choice expletives from everyone !

Mike
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Stavros on November 01, 2007, 05:21:22 pm: Right simple answer to this get one destroyer not fussy which one,go and buy a large box of bangers fix to look like depth charges light blue touch paper send model out to middle of swans,fire banger off the destroyer if anyone asks simple answer well me was only trying to sink my mates u boat,what could be more simpler

Stavros
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Bryan Young on November 01, 2007, 05:52:10 pm: Quote from: Bluebird on November 01, 2007, 10:46:14 am
Bryan, I have just spied your posting. I wonder if it would be a good idea if you can refrain from copying others' postings. Instead, just add your own reply :) This is because, when people view the board to see your posting and reply all they see is the copied bit you had done, they dont bother reading most of it and are looking for your answer underneath which isnt there, what you have done this time is added it into my posting, and this is very confusing. >>:-( >>:-( >>:-(

aye
john e
bluebird
This was quite unintentional and I did'nt mean it to be that way! Don't know what went wrong. But sorry anyway. Bryan.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Martin (Admin) on November 01, 2007, 06:34:13 pm: My local water...
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: red181 on November 01, 2007, 11:14:17 pm: Here is New Brighton without the Swans!

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=6998405
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: HS93 (RIP) on November 01, 2007, 11:34:30 pm: New Brighton In its hayday.. Paul where did you get the scramble nets

Peter
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: portside II on November 02, 2007, 07:45:54 am: might not be the soloiution to the swans ,but it would be fun .have a power boat circut on the problem lake and for a trial get martno1fan
to run his new boat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPHJU6WAxHQ
notice the swans in the background .
daz
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: tigertiger on November 02, 2007, 08:18:28 am: Quote from: sheerline on October 31, 2007, 11:13:06 pm
Reading the letter from GB has re-inforced my original post on this matter. The words 'ignorant, arrogant ,youghurt sipping left wing trendy cretins' springs to mind....... did I leave anything out??

She probalby votes tory. It is the kind of misinformed opinion that could just as easily be spouted by Hyancynth Bucket. LOL
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: sheerline on November 02, 2007, 12:00:55 pm: Tiger, Hyacinth will be turning in her grave, you know her name is Bouquet!
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: malcolmfrary on November 02, 2007, 12:34:58 pm: THe words ignorant, arrogant and trendy cretin are not limited to any one part of the political spectrum. The Lytham St Annes area is one of the politically brightest blue in the known universe, and there is as high a proportion of ignorance and arrogance in the local trendy cretins as anywhere else. The yoghurt is probably from the more expensve end of the market, though.
We have, however, over time, convinced the council officers that we have the best interests of the park in mind, as have managed to get a reasonable working relationshio going with modest, but tangible benefits.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: The long Build on November 02, 2007, 01:09:07 pm: Quote from: HS93 on November 01, 2007, 11:34:30 pm
New Brighton In its hayday..

Shame the tower was taken down from the building in the background.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: John W E on November 02, 2007, 01:11:38 pm: :D :D Hi, here is one for the books - be careful Gentleman we dont know who is reading this forum, or it may just be conincidence. I went passed the Lake at South Shields this morning and there were the Council workers with their high pressure washers cleaning all the pathsides down....wonders never cease :o :o

So, I am wondering if that is the annual clean and back to square one by Sunday 8)

aye
john e
bluebird
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: sheerline on November 02, 2007, 01:29:41 pm: John, sounds like someone on the council may be a Mayhem reader!! O0
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: HS93 (RIP) on November 02, 2007, 01:37:12 pm: Quote from: The long Build on November 02, 2007, 01:09:07 pm
[]

Shame the tower was taken down from the building in the background.

This one

Peter
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: The long Build on November 02, 2007, 01:39:32 pm: Yes
Never really seen a proper pic of it.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: hobbyman on November 02, 2007, 06:44:10 pm: As if the swans dont have enough to contend with ,our polution and being attacked by foreigners who shouldnt be here ,
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Bartapuss on November 02, 2007, 07:44:18 pm: With regards to those persons that insist on feeding the wild fowl and as one member has already pointed out, that at one time in the past it was just crusts thats were used, but today you see groups with bulging carrier bags with full loafs. Back in the day those feeding with crusts probably got the loaf from the high street baker who made it fresh from local ingredients and not the processed crap we have no choice but to buy today. I recent study has shown that British households throw away a third of the food they buy and this is untouched produce I may add that one bag of groceries in three, think of the resources used to cart it away and the green house gasses given off whilst it rots away in land fill.

Now given this and these so called wild fowl lovers with their bulging bags of loafs can you blame any government want to increase our taxes, "these people have got so much money they don't know what to do with it lets help relieve them of it" I can hear those civil servants cry!!. These feeders probably needlessly drive a big fuel guzzling 4 X 4 as well no dowt.

As for the Barking mad woman in Brighton may be she could do us all a favour and do her civil duty and stop her C02 emissions altogether O0
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Brian_C on November 02, 2007, 09:48:55 pm: i tend to use this type of wildfowl repellent,, and it works well 4 me {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) :angel:
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Colin H on November 02, 2007, 10:34:53 pm: Yep good old Browning .50 cal should do the job.

Colin H
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Langsford on November 02, 2007, 10:40:23 pm: The lake has now been drained. The attached pic shows the lake prior to draining. Cheers, John
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Robert Davies on November 02, 2007, 11:57:22 pm: Quote from: pmdevlin on November 01, 2007, 11:14:17 pm
Here is New Brighton without the Swans!

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=6998405

Y'know, that boat looks remarkably similar to one that I had a swan herding duet with last time I took the Southampton tug to New Brighton.

The swans were OK, the cretins throwing bagfulls of bread on the boat however....

-Rob
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: red181 on November 03, 2007, 01:02:11 am: great pics Peter! Got any of the inside of the tower? I think it was taller than Blackpool, or so My Mum and Dad said, they used to Dance there! Wilkies indoor fair still running... ramble ramble sorry!!

Nets are floor cloths from asda in Arrowe Park, soaked in a mixture of tea and coffee, on the refurb due, I wont roll them up as tight, I thought they where like that, but on studying pictures they are much" looser"

Sorry bartapuss, but I am driving at the moment a big stinky 4x4, another reason to annoy the greenie bird feeders. I also got "reprimanded" because I had my son riding his quad bike (yep a smelly noisy 2 stroke!) in the big pit next to the boating lake that used to be the outdoor swimming pool, I suppose I am asking for trouble!!, but I love the internal combustion engine!
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: MikeK on November 03, 2007, 09:02:17 am: Hi Langsford, nice pics .........is that the dreaded pink water lurgie I see :o :o Only seems to happen in saltwater lakes ??

Mike
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Bartapuss on November 03, 2007, 04:11:22 pm: Hey Ive got no problem with 4 x 4's only those dizzy blonde's who live in the city who insist one having one to go to the shop despite living less than five minutes walk away from them. >>:-(

And I like bikes 2 & 4 stroke but the Greene Gestapo won't allow them to be used on derelict/common land (is there still a thing as common land these days) your allowed to buy these thing but your not supposed to use them or is it your not allowed any fun in this country any more. A farmer up here turned over one of his fields for the quad and mini moto brigade to use safely no the council want to close it down as they regard it as a nuisance despite being right up against a busy motorway.

You used to be able to fly models planes on the Newcastle town moor (common land) but this was stopped even gliders are banned as residents said even this was too noisy. ???
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Liverbudgie2 on November 03, 2007, 04:50:39 pm: IMPROMTU I.C. /FAST ELECTRIC REGATTA
NEW BRIGHTON MODEL BOATING LAKE

SUNDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2007

Yes the 'effings things are back in numbers, feel free to bring your biggest, most powerful and noisest powerboat. Sailing throughout the day at owners convenience
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Colin Bishop on November 03, 2007, 04:52:28 pm: Quote
Sailing throughout the day at owners convenience

From reading this thread I thought it was the Swans convenience ;)
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Circlip on November 03, 2007, 05:05:38 pm: I forsee tears before bedtime!
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: OneBladeMissing on November 03, 2007, 05:12:01 pm: At our local country park there are signs up instructing dog-owners to put their dogs on leads near the lakes, and clean-up after them. The grass around the lakes is covered (and I mean covered!) in bird droppings. It looks disgusting and must be unhealthy.
Swans are belligerent creatures. There's one on a lake not far from me that will attack anything with wings, and some things that don't have wings. I've seen swans on the Norfolk Broads eating ducklings alive, picking them off one at a time. As the swans in this country are owned by the Queen she should be told to keep them under control, or receive fixed-penalty fines.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: kiteman1 on November 03, 2007, 07:42:10 pm: How are you going to stick fixed penalty notices on swan's backs for goodness sake..............Perhaps someone should invent a 'mosquito' device similar to those made for yobs outside shops. I'm sure that frequencies could be adjusted for the little bustards. Over to you FLJ............ {-) {-)
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: DickyD on November 03, 2007, 07:56:05 pm: Now if they was Bustards then you would be in trouble. ::)
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: John W E on November 04, 2007, 09:38:00 am: OH TO BE A SWAN

Oh to be a swan on a boating lake
Of all the model boats which one shall I take
If I flap my wings I can put on a show
If I poop on the deck it might make THEM go
If I paddle with my feet - I can make the water flow
BUT if I shed a few feathers from the ones I got
it might just entangle around the offending prop
Ive a better idea which will cause some wrath
I will splatter all my white S**t all over the path

from Mrs Bluebird :)

aye
John
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Brian_C on November 04, 2007, 09:48:50 am: Quote from: kiteman1 on November 03, 2007, 07:42:10 pm
How are you going to stick fixed penalty notices on swan's backs for goodness sake..............Perhaps someone should invent a 'mosquito' device similar to those made for yobs outside shops. I'm sure that frequencies could be adjusted for the little bustards. Over to you FLJ............ {-) {-)
never mind the little bustards,,,, what about the big bustards, they r full of crap, {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) ;)
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: MikeK on November 04, 2007, 03:36:55 pm: Why John, I never realized SSMYC had a bard in its membership - at least I think that's how you spell it {-) ::)

Mike

PS Sorry - just read a bit more carefully, my congratulations to Mrs Bluebird on her poetry O0
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Langsford on November 09, 2007, 04:38:43 pm: The New Brighton Boating lake has recently been drained and cleaned, so the swans disappeared. The lake has now filled up again and when I went down today, lo and behold, those pesky swans have returned!!!
John
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: seacommander on November 09, 2007, 11:50:43 pm: I seem to remember the duty bird scarer on a local airfield used to play the alarm calls of birds to scare them off.

Does anyone know where these sound files could be found ?

I am thinking of using the guts of an old loudhailer fitted in my tug and sneak up behind them and let them have it.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Colin Bishop on November 10, 2007, 12:04:02 am: Yes, but what would frighten a Swan?
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: djrobbo on November 10, 2007, 11:54:33 am: A BOSNIAN WITH A SAUCEPAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: DickyD on November 10, 2007, 12:21:59 pm: Quote from: djrobbo on November 10, 2007, 11:54:33 am

A BOSNIAN WITH A SAUCEPAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!
{-) {-) {-) {-)Very good, that cheered me up.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on November 10, 2007, 06:24:43 pm: It might take some time but look for a recording of a "danger" call for geese or swans.

I have heard that one of the local parks plays a "danger fly away" goose call to keep the geese out of the pond.
Might be worth investigating... play it back on a large portable stereo...

However they may be too comfortable to take such a warning seriously...
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Ghost in the shell on November 11, 2007, 01:11:59 pm: they use similar tactics at airports as well, and it seems to work as well.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: red181 on November 11, 2007, 11:17:11 pm: I took a drive down to the New Brighton lake this afternoon, but didnt bother stopping, there where just too many Swans!
What are the New Brighton club going to do? The local press is still running replies to the original letter, but I would be very careful about playing any loud warning noise to scare them off, that could be inviting trouble. I wonder how long they will actually stay till the weather gets too cold? It might not last much longer?
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on November 12, 2007, 06:47:41 am: There is an alarm call posted here for geese....

http://www.findsounds.com/ISAPI/search.dll?keywords=alarm+call+geese

of course it could be a mating call.... {-)

Try looking up swan there also..

Found an interesting website for inquires...
http://www.bird-x.com/products/gbuster.html

And I like the alligator head version shown here,.... shouldn't be to hard for a modeler to mock up...
http://www.gotgeese.com/ ;)
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Arrow5 on November 12, 2007, 10:41:22 am: Reckon you were looking for diesel engine sounds Umi ::) but the southern UK(England) problem birds are the Mute Swans, don't know if they have any kind of alarm call. Here in the north of the UK (Scotland) we get hundreds of thousands of migrating geese from across the Atlantic and from Siberia. The island of Islay is now almost all protected by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) but prior to them acquiring land there I was part of a trial to scare geese off farmland using R/C aircraft. Three geese eat the same amount of grass as one sheep, they also alter the Ph of the soil. Model boats boats were used to scare Eider Duck from the commercial mussel beds offshore. The aircraft were fast noisy glo-powered un-silenced deltas and slower flying vaguely hawk shaped models. Didn't do much with either except move the geese to the next farm ! The Eider Duck experiment was mistimed as the birds were in moult and couldn't fly to escape the R/C Common Grey Seal, a bit like the Aligator head on one of your links. They just parted and allowed the dummy seal to pass through. The boffins wanted some reaction so we took the bodyshell and silencer off the 40 glo powered Cigarette hull and scared the living guano of of a lot of nice birds. They couldn't fly but to see them running on the water at speed was a spectacle I`ll never forget. All under the instruction of Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and paid by them too. Of course in today`s PC climate it would be forbidden by the same officials. Interesting to note that the RSPB has a Royal warrant but the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Children (SPCC) doesnt. Odd little country.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: MCR on November 12, 2007, 06:04:05 pm: H5N1 the end to Swan problems?
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Circlip on November 12, 2007, 06:08:22 pm: Irony eh Reply No 10
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Arrow5 on November 13, 2007, 12:09:27 pm: Re the previous post on gauno making seal for wild goose chases..I mean swan deterrent. Here she is from under 20 years of dust. Might put it top of a Springer hull and head for Loch Ness to see if local tourist board want to boost figures ::)
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Arrow5 on November 17, 2007, 02:08:18 pm: Took one of the Springers and put Seal on top....whaddaya `tink?
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: MikeK on November 17, 2007, 02:13:33 pm: Must be good - I cannot see a swan anywhere ::) ::)

Mike
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Arrow5 on November 18, 2007, 11:19:18 am: Aha, but then I started with a small advantage....there were no swans on the loch before :P
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: MikeK on November 18, 2007, 01:35:33 pm: Ah shucks - you've spoilt the magic !! {-)
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on November 18, 2007, 06:37:32 pm: Perhaps the seal model would be more believable if you sailed it in the pond upwind of the swans. Once upwind,
Someone starts splashing water madly around the seal head, Someone else sprays a bit of duck blood into the air from a mist bottle, and then proceeds to destroy a down pillow and toss feathers everywhere All while playing loud bird in distress calls... ???
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: malcolmfrary on November 18, 2007, 09:46:31 pm: http://www.lep.co.uk/news/39Feeding-the-ducks-fuelling-rat.3497030.jp
A link to a local paper. It seems that the rabid bird feeders in Preston have created a rat infestation.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Tom Eccles on November 19, 2007, 10:13:31 pm: This is an interesting thread and it is obvious to anyone that the viewpoints expressed are deeply held.
I guess we at Southport are lucky, we sail on a small pond less than half a mile from the marine lake and most of our bird life and bird feeders stay there (although during the period of the build of this pond after the council kindly sold our existing one without telling us we actually used the marine lake for a while).
The marine lake is full of swans,geese, ducks, coots and even the odd water skier as well as flotillas of yachts from the sailing clubs and to top it all off there is a jet boat and a "paddle steamer". Guess what? we all got along.
Building and sailing model boats is my hobby, it is NOT my life. I know from personal experience that swans can be a pain but hey, they probably think our models are interfering with them doing what IS their life - surviving.
I am not suggesting that we all adopt a swan but we really should try to chill a little and let them live as well. When all is said and done and when we are all pushing up daisy's the swans will STILL be paddling around annoying the next generation.
I do not ask that anyone agree with my sentiments, just allow me to express them. The great thing about this forum is that we can at least make our polite opinions known.

Regards to all
Clegg

'OWM REWL FER LANKYSHUR
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: MikeK on November 20, 2007, 09:18:33 am: As can be seen, this appears to be a country - wide problem that was not there in years gone by. It has come about by a man made ancient law that has given these birds immunity, coupled with the modern affluence of the citizens of this country that make the throwing of a full loaf of bread away of no consequence - and can only get worse (natural diseases and hungry Polish immigrants notwithstanding ;) ;) )

MikeK
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Circlip on November 20, 2007, 01:03:00 pm: And don't forget mans quest to turn every piece of spare land into a legacy of new dwellings at the expense of reason.
Within 50 metres of my house there used to be an ex industrial dam and at lunch time and tea time a couple of guys who
worked locally used to 'float their boats' on it. One day with a single honk a Canada goose hit the water like a bomb to be
followed in rapid succession by the rest of the migrating flock. Despite a couple of dozen 'cannon balls' hitting the water
neither of the boats were damaged or sunk, and every year at migration time the same thing would happen as the dam
was a rest stop for them. they only used to stay for about half an hour and would rise en mass and carry on their journey.
About fifteen years ago the dam was filled in and a storage building put on the land, the first year after, the lead goose
plummeted onto the building thinking it was still water. This has only happened once as they now overfly to another dam
about 2000metres away, but although their flightpath to this has a more direct route they are still imprinted with our detour.
Soooo I would ask if they weren't a problem in the past, what piece of water has been filled in to generate their now
nuisance value, it doesn't solve the problem and short of drastic action, which cannot be condoned, until the local council
extracts its digit and does something to stop people discarding vast quantities of food into the pond your on a hiding to
nothing cos as I wrote on an earlier reply, if one of the birds is injured by a model boat there will be merry h3ll to pay.
It could make a difference if ALL the boat users EN MASS lobbied the local council, but I wonder how many councillors
read this forum? ?
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: The long Build on November 20, 2007, 01:19:57 pm: I like swans but in the right place , and the New Brighton BOATING lake (Hardly) is not the right place. It is not Suitable for Swans END OFF
How long would it take for action to be taken if some child is attacked by one..It will happen.
And the result will probably be that they demolish the pond for good.

There also used to be lido in new Brighton , I could not see the council allowing the swans to stay there if they had taken a shine to it.

TLB
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Arrow5 on November 20, 2007, 03:15:55 pm: ...and on a lighter note. After extensive tests i can confirm that the Seal Deterrent didnt work, at least with native Mallard......no wildlife were disturbed by these tests.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Colin Bishop on November 20, 2007, 03:18:21 pm: You mean that they just laughed at it? ;D
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Bartapuss on November 20, 2007, 03:40:04 pm: Funny you should say that Long build, I can remenber being attacked but two of the buggers when I was a little kid cos they got the right hump that I'd run out of bread crust, repeat BREAD CRUST I was feeding them, they're bite bloody hurt and when they start flapping them wings at you it was very scary seeing as seemed huge at the time. :'( :'(
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Colin H on November 20, 2007, 04:35:01 pm: A full grown cob would easily break a small child's arm or leg with a single beat of its wing.

A bite would certainly break the skin and depending on what the bird had been eating could lead to a serious infection.

In todays world of `no win` `no fee` that would lead to a compensation claim against the local authority.

Has anyone thought of pointing this out to the powers that be, it might just get you some help.

Yours Colin H.
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: John W E on November 22, 2007, 01:38:42 pm: hi all

as we have said before, be careful because you never know who is reading this :) MikeK was asking me if I had heard anything about the rumours about the Council going to give South Shields lake a revamp - and this is what has turned out; apparently the Council have been awarded a Lottery Grant to revamp the park, lake and buildings and one of the pursuading factors was that the South Shields Model Yacht club had been there from 1886 - and the Council are definitely going to restore the Boat club building to its original former glory where at the front of the building it had seats etc., the other thing they are going to do, and this is the bit I have got to see, they are supposed to build a dam across the lake, draining one half so that they can work on the surrounding sides and the other half, which will still have the water in, is going to be for the use of the Modellers and THE SWANS.

Apparently if this does not work, they will have to drain the full pond and send the swans elsewhere - there are several other clubs around the area to which everyone can go and sail, so that will not cause too much problem.

Time scale: 6-8 months to do, so watch this space.

aye
johne
bluebird
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: MikeK on November 22, 2007, 02:54:25 pm: Just realized, John, if they return the clubhouse to its former state, that means Mr Minchella will have to relocate his ice cream stall. Unfortunately every silver lining etc etc 'cos I believe he used to pick up the electricity tab for the club :( . Still no news on the possible redesign of the banks so that the birds (large white things mainly !) can walk and not have to jump into the water then ?

MikeK
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: John W E on November 22, 2007, 05:32:34 pm: hi ya there Mike

Well, at the moment, the plans are Mr Minchella is being relocated next to where the steam locomotive is housed O0 Also, on the left hand side of the boat club there is talk of putting a public convenience there. They must be expecting wild bears there, because they are going to put a Park Ranger in there too.

Mind, what really does amuse me, is the thought of them building a dam across the lake, I must go down with my camera! I dont know if you know the story from last time, when they drained the lake a few years ago, they put a small JCB in there, to remove some of the caked swan droppings/sludge, the JCB became stuck :-\ .

But, time will tell and if they do build a dam I will defiitely take pictures. O0

aye
john e
bluebird
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: DickyD on November 22, 2007, 05:49:38 pm: You take pictures John ? No change there then. {-)
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: MikeK on November 23, 2007, 03:46:40 pm: Yo John !!
If they do build a dam - please, please get some pictures to show us. Half a lake is a hell of a lot of water to hold back, for some reason I can't stop hearing the Dam Busters Theme in my head as I write this {-) {-)

Mike
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Arrow5 on November 23, 2007, 08:22:02 pm: DAM you say...I should have been a Beaver {-)
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: MikeK on November 24, 2007, 09:22:31 am: Thanks Arrow5, you have helped to get the dam buster theme out of my head - and replaced it with BOOM BOOM in the style of some fox glove puppet who's name I've forgotten O0 {-)

Mike
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: John W E on November 24, 2007, 09:24:59 am: Do you mean Basil de Brush ???

aye he might have the Rangers job sweeping the park.

Mind, I cant see that little Otter surviving here in South Shields swan muck lake {-) {-)

aye
john e
bluebird
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: DickyD on November 24, 2007, 12:05:14 pm: I dont believe it John, you even have a photo of Basil Brush !!! ::)
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: John W E on November 24, 2007, 12:08:07 pm: BOOM BOOM Dicky :P :P
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: John W E on November 24, 2007, 07:37:11 pm: hi ya, just a quick update, they have started on the lake, passed it today. They have fenced the top half of the lake off - with metal 6foot railings - 3 foot in from the lake edge it looked like to me. They have portacabins and what looks like to be hardcore material at the side of the lake and a few ton of it too. The wans or even swans were looking a bit worried ::) once they do start damming, which looks like it may be this week - I will get some photographs if I can.

John
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: DickyD on November 24, 2007, 08:12:52 pm: You think you have trouble with swans ? You should try these. :-\
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: malcolmfrary on November 25, 2007, 11:39:24 am: Could be a bit thrilling at landing and take off. :)
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: DickyD on November 25, 2007, 11:42:41 am: They reckon swan droppings are bad. ::)
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: John W E on December 13, 2007, 03:46:16 pm: hi ya - this is for MikeK - this is what is happening toSouth Shields Lake now......start humming 'The Dam Busters' ;) Looks like an earth and sandbag dam, right across the lake with a big pump keeping one half empty, so down with the model Lancaster tomorrow maybe, with a few toy bombs :) :) bomb gone......

John, aye
bluebird
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: DickyD on December 13, 2007, 05:33:11 pm: So wheres the boat John ?? :-\
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: MikeK on December 13, 2007, 05:48:23 pm: Thanks so much for the pictures John,
I didn't think they they would manage it, but I was wrong. I still wouldn't feel too safe on the drained side but if Health & Safety are happy it must be ok ! Hope the bearded one doesn't complain about swan overcrowding :police: I wondered what those plastic islands looked like under the water, never knew they were on stilts. So what is the plan now ? that's the end that the council planned to make into a 'natural' bank receding into the tree line so the swans didn't have to jump !

Looking forward to updates, please pass on Season's Greetings to the lads at the club and of course to your goodself

Mike
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Philipsparker on December 24, 2007, 06:19:37 pm: All this fuss over swans, I used to think we were badly off with a huge number of carp in our water !

Anyway, here's a couple of constructive suggestions:

1) Get every model boater to get hold of their local Councillor. I know everyone is going, "But they don't do anything", well they don't if you don't hassle them. I've spoken to loads of people in the past who think local democracy means writing to the local rag. Don't bother, they have their own agenda. Working for the council here, I know that if you can get members asking questions, things get done to shut them up and get them off the chief officer's backs. And you can find the details including addresses, phone numbers & emails on-line. But you ALL have to do it to get some momentum. Anyone who doesn't take part is on the side of the swans and a traitor to the cause.

2) Put up some "Please do not feed the birds" signs. Get them printed off on a computer & laminated down at your local copy shop. Someone in our street (not me but I have an idea who) did this to stop people feeding the birds on a nearby green space 'cos the rats were attracted to the leftover food. Mention disease, dirt and rats as reasons on the sign. That will scare the parents.

Ideally if people must feed then they need to be doing it away from the launching area. then the birds will get used to congregating away from the launch site.

Hope this helps someone. Good luck.

Phil
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: funtimefrankie on December 24, 2007, 07:48:19 pm: This what you get at the Southport lake on a quiet day
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Tom Eccles on December 25, 2007, 08:33:09 pm: I recognise the one at the back, He was at the pond this afternoon.

People may not like these guys but at least they keep the swan numbers down!

Clegg
Title: Re: Swan Invasion!
Post by: Bryan Young on December 28, 2007, 06:55:14 pm: Oh how I wish that North Tyneside council would spend a little of their recently acquired cash windfall to do something with our lake. I could ( and probably am) wrong in thinking that the South Shields lake has always been designated a "Marine Park", whereas Tynemouth was built as a Model Boating Lake. But Tynemouth has suffered from years of silting up and sweet nothing to help from the "owners". I am beginning to wonder if our council just wants to see the whole thing silt so far up they can use it as a car park.