What's in the issue

NBTA’s response to licence fee rises, leads the news, followed by the Boat Test featuring a semi-cruiser with a reverse layout built by Knights Narrowboats and it’s called Stargazer. Next is a feature on campaigners against cuts in public funding for the waterways who took their fight to the Houses of Parliament by water. We then have a piece on woollen poppies made to commemorate those lost in the World Wars. Our Cruise Guide is next, this time along the Aire & Calder Navigation. Following this, we have a day tripper, who sampled the delights of life on a canal boat when hiring one for a day trip up and down the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. Our annual Big Festive Quiz is next. This is followed by a feature on a dredger called Diana and finally, we have another marina visit, this one is Sawley Waterside and Marina on the River Trent. Plus, we have all the usual regulars including; recipes, gardening tips and wildlife seen on our waterways to keep you entertained over the festive period.