A trip was planned for 22nd October on the Hampshire Avon. Like many trips each year it was being organised by a private individual(s) and was in no way connected to Canoe England. This proposed paddle led to much communication and even a very direct press release from the Angling Trust - “ Angling Trust calls on British Canoe Union to Condemn Mass Trespass Protest”.
Canoe England put out the following statement on their Facebook page on Friday, 14th October 2011
Canoe England contacted the Angling Trust after the initial allegations made on Radio Berkshire by Mr Martin Salter and before the recent press release from the AT – “ Angling Trust calls on British Canoe Union to Condemn Mass Trespass Protest”. Mr Martin Salter alleged that the BCU were organising a mass trespass on the River Avon. We (BCU/CE) stated that we were not organising any event on the River Avon in Hampshire. Canoe England also stated that the paddle is titled the Hampshire Avon Autumn Paddle ... it is not called a protest or mass paddle. It is merely a group of individuals who are going out to enjoy the river.
Since the press release from the Angling Trust Canoe England officers have had communication with the AT and have reaffirmed that this trip has not been organised by the BCU/CE. It is one of many thousands of such informal trips organised by canoeists, members and non members, on Britain's waterways on an annual basis.
BCU/CE have contacted the EA who have confirmed that the salmon spawning season on the R Avon (Hants) is the end of October to end of March. The Hampshire Avon Autumn Paddle is on 22 October so there can be no allegations of disturbing spawning fish.
The most recent research work by Rev’d Dr Douglas Caffyn has revealed that the Hampshire Avon has a legally enshrined right of navigation from 1664 which has not been repealed.
Subsequently, the paddle participants took the responsible decision to postpone the Hampshire Autumn Paddle for clear environmental reasons due to the exceptionally low river levels and the possibility of grounding in places. It may now be a Spring paddle when the river levels are more suitable.
Canoe England cannot grant or deny permission to use any waters and the choice to whether to canoe is the responsibility of the individual. As a membership organisation and in an advisory capacity, Canoe England has issued guidance for good environmental practice in the leaflet “You, your canoe and the environment”
http://www.canoe-england.org.uk/media/pdf/youyourenv0206_lr.pdf