NEW TREES are being planted at the minute and existing damaged/dead ones being replaced. Please ensure dogs are kept away from all trees as the urine will damage their ability to take root and flourish. The new DOG WEE POSTS are there for dogs to use and thanks to many of you for taking the time to to train your dogs to use them. Please do keep an eye out for anyone who is not picking up the dog mess – we have several areas that remain a small problem – namely around the big lake & on the lead-off border.

LADIES HAIRDRYER – following many requests we have installed a coin operated hair dryer in the Female Berth Holder washrooms. The dryer takes 20p and will stop our lovely Ladies from having to walk across the marina with damp hair.

SPRING CLEAN – we’replanning for this years clean up and we are looking at all areas to make the Marina more tidy and pleasant to use. Many Berth Holders have already commented in the past few weeks on the lack of car parking spaces/unused vehicles on-site, also on BIKE RACKS getting filled up with rusty & unused bikes again. We sent over 20 bikes away last year for recycling – that’s got to be over £2,000 worth! If you have a vehicle that is not in Daily Use or a bike that is not used at least once a week, then they will need to be stored elsewhere come the spring…you have been warned!

NEW SHEDS – we have a planning application in for 6 extra sheds and the new ones will be larger in size – 2.42m x 2.8m – perferct for storing 2 or 3 motorbikes. The cost of these larger sheds will be £50 per month with a £150 deposit required and a minimum 6 month rental agreement. If you are interested please let the office know by email or in writing ASAP.

NEW STAFF – Fiona, our new Bar & Restaurant Manager started last week and we have Nicola, our new Head Chef, is tarting on 15th February 2012 – so some great new things planned for Pilling’s Boat-House. New Menus, new decor and some more socials for this summer for everyone to enjoy.

Some amazing fancy dress outfits were paraded and many winners went home with some of the lovely raffle prizes you donated for the cause.

Again, a great big thank you from us here at Pilllling’s Lock Marina.

Happy New Year!

This years competition for best Illuminated Boat is up and running – with some amazing entries already dazzling the Marina!

Over ten boats have entered this year and rumour has it a few late entries are also planned for the next few days…

Closing date is 13th decemebr 2011 and Cllr Pauline Ranson will be coming at around 7pm on Wednesday 14th December 2011 to judge the ‘best in show’ so don’t delay in getting your fairy lights up before midnight tomorrow!

Christmas Carols Night – Can we have a date for a carol service to be held at the Marina. CH is looking into the situation with regards to the school having their choir coming in to perform in the run up to Christmas.
- Parking of vans – please keep them on the gravel car park so they are not occupying more than one bay. You can park on the concrete area once to Workshop has closed providing the vehicle is moved by 8AM.
- Speeding in the Marina and on the Lane. Staff do stop vehicles when possible if they are seen speeding.
- Dog came off the C jetty. Large Alsatian dog that was loose.
- Dog nearly got run over in the Marina as it was loose. (Dealt with).
We are currently CCTV to find the person who failed to pick up dog waste from by the pump out station.
- Horses on the north bank. Ponies have been allowed to roam on this area to graze and fertilise the area. The Marina are taking measures to help decompose the waste from the ponies.
- Dogs urinating on trees and young plants which is killing them. PLM will be installing a dog wee post at the top of the main jetty head in order to try and combat the problem. Wendy suggested we install several wee posts for dogs to use. (4 wee posts across the site being done on 3/11/2011 by landscaper)
- Parking issues – leaseholders, some are not using their parking spaces. Staff parking is also used sometimes. Review of Parking areas to be done by Pilling’s Lock over next few months. Please can all customers ensure we have their vehicle details on our records.
- Email addresses, if you are not getting emails let us know!
- Is it possible to get fenders on the diesel dock edging as it is causing damage to boats coming along side. Pilling’s Lock will do this over next few weeks.
- Action Point – PL to speak to workshop and get tyres alongside the diesel dock in order to protect boats.
- Winter prep… We will aim to keep services running as best as possible. There will not be a pump out boat available as it is too costly to run. Good supplies of Grit on-site. Company will grit Flesh Hovel Lane & Car Park – Mooring clients can help themselves to grit in the bins at the jetty heads.
- Demand for water on Saturday mornings does cause some issues. Many people fill boats up and use the building simultaneously. Nothing can be done about increasing the supply pressure so can clients try to avoid weekend mornings to fill boat water tanks.
- The old trolley disappeared! The new trolley will therefore be chained up from now on and controlled by the marina office. Clients needing trolleys outside of office hours can easily obtain folding ones from ebay and the like.
- Action Point – May be an idea to put paths in where people are taking short cuts over the grass. Marina will look at this in the long term.
- Only 5 berths up on last year. Reminder – £150 offer! Recommend a friend to Pilling`s Lock Marina.
- Mooring fees will rise by 4% next year. Under £100 per mooring on average.
- Feedback from the waterways system 2011: How have your trips been? Have you experienced problems? Please email the office and your comments can be sent back to the Marina Operators Forum.
- Any moorers that see areas on the local canals that need restoration then please let us know! Information can be passed on to Suzanne.
- Red Diesel – 0% days where diesel price is reduced – we will keep pump open on these days until everyone has filled up – please pop into the office to check before you take you boat over.
- The timing on the diesel system will stop the pump running after a limit. (eg. Many boats will not be able to fill up a front tank and back tank in one session.
- AP – PL to contact northern forecourts to see if there is a timing device on board and see if it can be changed.
- New Elsan point will be open soon. The old one has been closed due to subsidence in the waste pipes causing blockages often.
- 7 day DIY & hardstanding offer now available! Contact the office for details!
- Current tests in water. Water surveys have been conducted and concluded that we do not have a problem in the marina as there are no stray currents in the Marina at this time.
- Gate codes will be changed in November.
- Changes to the Rules and Regulations. Small dinghys etc must not be left on the jetty or in the water. Please put them on your roof. Craft left in the water must display a BW license on the craft (approx £40 per year) and there will be a mooring charge of £10 per month for a dinghy/canoe that is left in the water. Small craft will be checked monthly and extra charges issued where to clients as necessary.
- There are 17 unclaimed bikes at the side of the workshop. It seems sad that many bikes have been dumped. They will be taken to a charity which will refurbish them and sell them on.
- Convex mirror on the lane, opposite the main entrance. The Marina will look at installing one to help visibility.
- Sheds – We are still waiting for a response from the council. We will be putting a planning application in for 6-8 more sheds in.
- There are now escape ladders on the top of each jetty, please let us know if they are used so that we will check and replace them.

D.I.Y. ENTHUSIASTS

The last two winters have been really hard of the hulls of steel boats & we are recognising the fact that many owners want to complete a thorough overhaul of their hulls.

Pilling’s Lock Marina is pleased to offer the following deals for

Widebeam (up to 12ft) & Narrowbeam boats;

46ft to 62ft in length*

Haul out and high pressure wash plus 7 days hard standing and a re-launch for just £295.00 + VAT

Any vessel up to 45ft in length

Haul out and high pressure wash plus 7 days hard standing and a re-launch for just £275.00 + VAT

Metered 240v power is available to all hard standing positions.

2.5m Zinc Anodes fitted/welded for £40.80 + VAT each.

Prior booking is advised for this great deal on getting your boat prepared for the next few seasons. Limited availability & offer valid for haul-outs done up to 31^st March 2012

Call 01509 620990 or email pillingslock@btinternet.com

To book your slot

*Sorry but we unable to hard-stand any vessels over 62ft in length at this time.

I have pleasure in informing you of a very satisfactory set of results from this survey – which means that all metallic surfaces under the water here are very safe from any over-active electrical activity and there is a very verylow risk of any electrolisis activity here at Pilling’s Lock Marina.

The survey was taken over a period as stated and anyone who was out cruising will not have affected the readings taken, but anyone who vessel was in the marina at the time shows that good maintenance and best practice is taking place across our moorers to ensure all vessels hulls & fittings are properly isolated from electricity.

You will need Microsoft Excel to view this file or a printed copy is available free of charge to any current Berth Holder if you call in to our office.

Ground Readings July 2011

Contact the office for more details and hurry as places are limited – 01509 620990

The Band we have booked is The Unusual Suspects who come highly recommended!

More details to follow soon.