YDSA Northern Forum 2024

Published: 08 March 2024

REPORT FROM JUSTIN GREEN

The first Northern Forum of 2024 took place on Thursday 7 March at the Anderton Boat lift in Cheshire. A different location to the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum where we usually meet however, this turned out to be a cracking location and one that we all said we should use again.

Paul Winter from Winter and Co. and Paul Smith from Narrowboat Surveys both gave presentations.

In the morning and subsequently into the afternoon, as it was such a hugely debated topic, Paul Winter talked about PI and report writing. This attracted much input and debate from those who attended, so much so, that it took us over an hour to get past Paul's second bullet point on his first slide!

We managed to squeeze lunch in, which was a magnificent buffet with everyone having seconds and some even thirds. We also had a look over the boat lift outside and cut our 20th-anniversary birthday cake.

Eventually, we let Paul Smith make his presentation, with Paul talking about the RCD and the ‘5-year rule’. This is a much misunderstood topic and yet again those who attended made much debate which resulted in us pushing the boundaries of the venue closing times!

For those that could not attend or did not attend, then you missed out! The Northern Forum has been running for 20 years and has always been an excellent event for training, networking, and learning, no matter the topic. Debate and input from those who present and attend is always superb and everyone leaves having learned something and taken ideas on board.

The Northern Forum takes place twice a year and always takes place on the same day, the first Thursday in March and the first Thursday in November, and has since its inception 20 years ago. It usually takes place in the North East and topics cover all aspects of surveying and boats. The Forum is open to Members and Non-Members and is an event that should not be missed – it also gives CPD points to YDSA members too.

Get the dates in your diary now!