RCTA New Year Newsletter

Dear Member,

I hope you had a fabulous Christmas & satisfying end to 2023.

The committee would like to wish all our members a very happy, enjoyable & prosperous 2024.

In an effort to help that materialise our new markets team have done a great job of putting together an extensive list of Floating Markets for the 2024 trading season. Every year a lot of thought & planning goes into the dates for our markets so they hopefully work around other big canal events that way you can maximise your income, this year is no exception but with some new venues too.

I asked Lorraine how she was coping since taking on the enormous task of Markets Coordinator;

“My first time planning markets has been a lot trickier than I first thought. Trying to make sure that there is a location that is suitable for all types of  traders should they want to attend that is also appealing to the General Public and most importantly safe. Keeping within all the rules dictated by third parties ie CRT, licensing, insurance etc.

This year you will see that we have added a few new ones to our routes, mostly have been suggested by members.

Market Drayton, it was suggested this be brought forward again to a warmer time as a stand alone Market without Ginger Spice.

Willington, 2 locations were suggested for this one. So members advised on which one to choose.

Apsley, this is a very busy location close to the Marina and near a very busy pub, but this does come with a down side. The market, dependant on numbers of boats will be broken up by a set of locks but  with inventive signage we can overcome this as it is part of a natural walk through from car parking to the pub and Marina.

Startops Marsworth, this is right beside an extremely popular reservoir with its own car parking. There is a small eatery down by one of the locks and a very boat friendly pub nearby. Down side it is on a curve.  So to compensate the local fishing club will be settled in between us if necessary offering free fishing.

I live and trade from a widebeam so there are a lot of  canals that we can never get to so I have no idea if there is passing room or exactly what the tow paths like, that is where I need you.  I have so many ideas but alone they are not enough we need you and your experience and knowledge . Every little helps (where have I heard that before).

Your feed back is so important to help us try and get things right. Every comment, or feed back form will be read and investigated.

Each new location validated.  No idea is a bad idea.”

Lorraine Parker.

CRT Council Elections.

We have three members standing in the Canal & River Trust Council Elections, voting closes on 10th January so if you would like to vote for either Jane Seeley, Tim Allen orStephen Barker so traders have a voice on the council, do it now.

RCTA Featured Trader.

We have a new Featured Trader for the start of 2024, thank you Dawn Hales, Hooked Afloat.

Februarys’ slot is also booked but if you would like to take the slot for March which is a great time at the start of the trading season just email Tim Clarke at canaltraders@outlook.com with some details of yourself, your business & a few great photos, you could be featured on the website for all to see.

Membership.

Teresa Tunnicliffe has asked me to remind all of you especially those that will be booking markets to make sure your details ie: copies of your Traders License, PLI & Scores on the Doors are up to date as you cannot book any markets if they are not. So just pop onto the website sign into your profile & check everything is present & correct including postal addresses.  Please do this for me just to stop her nagging in 2024!

While you are in your profile in the website you can update & add photos to your own personal Business Card, this is a great FREE advertising too on our website.

Excess Funds.

The voting for usage of excess funds finished on 22nd December & it was close!

Make Charity Donations.                             18 votes

Keep all funds in RCTA.                               14 votes

Donation to ‘Fund British Waterways’.           5 votes

Use some for a specific CRT project.             1 vote

Only 38 people voted.

We can make a compromise around those votes as we have enough of an excess.

We will be making 2 Charity donations so please send in your nominations by the end of January to canaltraders@outlook.com. One could be Fund British Waterways as it has already been voted for.

We will still have plenty of funds to use in opportunities to promote RCTA in canal publications & at Crick 2024. Where we have the opportunity to share a stand with new enterprise Narrowboat Place free of charge & two of our members NBWakamatandoto& Cruising Crafts will be representing us on the stand.
Sounds so exciting!

If you would like to see funds spent internally in other ways, please feel free to put your ideas forward, maybe we should expand the RCTA Members Shop on the website, what do you think we could add?

We will keep you informed as all of the above progress.

We will always ensure we have a good financial cushion & a complete years running costs remaining.

2024 Benefits of RCTA Membership

*16 plus Floating Markets with staggered booking dates.

*First chance for a place at certain CRT events.

*Trading with discounts at Aquavista Marinas, Willington & Barton marinas & first option to trade at any of their Open Days, which will this year be advertised on our website Events Page so you are aware of them. ( I hope to be able to add more marinas this year).

*FREE advertising with your business profile on the RCTA website.

*Monthly Featured Trader option FREE on the RCTA website.

*Members ‘buyitoffaboat’ stickers available from our website shop.

*FREE self advertising on our social media Facebook  X (formerley Twitter) & Instagram , just tag @canaltraders when you post on any of these platforms.

*RCTA Members group to share ‘Best practice’ & ask advice from fellow members.

*Fully Comp insurance package which includes stock cover, available to our members from Winter & Co (Marine) Ltd

Hopefully we can get some more members benefits added this year.

All we need now is for the endless rain to stop & the towpaths to dry out before Easter!

Don’t forget booking opens for Linslade & Gt.Haywood Easter Floating Markets at 7pm next Tuesday 9th January 2024.

Sue Meades

RCTA Chair

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