News

Please see the following message from Vice President Adrian Birtles:

"Our past President, Sir Neil Cossons, died on 29^th March at the age of 87.

A lengthy obituary in The Daily Telegraph does not mention his association with the SBA, but it does contain a very apt summary of his qualities as being "Charming, friendly and accessible". By any measure, I think the SBA was fortunate in having had him as President, and he did us proud."

This message has been received from Jenni Calder, who was Arthur's partner and requested it be shared:

I am writing with the news that Arthur Blue, member of SBA who was much in demand to test boilers, died on 29 March. In November he had been diagnosed with mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos when he was an apprentice engineer over 70 years ago.

We are very fortunate that the National Trust has invited us back again this year to the glorious Dapdune Wharf, Guildford for Puffin a-Wey.

Members of the public are most welcome to come along and see some steamboats. If you are interested, the best time to enjoy the event is Saturday 11 July during the National Trust's normal opening times. See the National Trust website for Dapdune Wharf opening times for the public. 

Registration is now open for SBA members and boat owners.

Dear all, 

Please find below a link to the video recorded at the AGM, with business meeting, SS Great Britain talk and Auction bidding...

HERE is the LINK - https://youtu.be/qhq4CxNDVtw

Dear all, I will be uploading a few documents that I (as projectionist) received at the AGM for circulation:

1. A video of the meeting as transmitted on Zoom
2. A Video of the 1981 rally cine film Christine Monkhouse showed after the meeting (this will go into the video library here
3. A scan of the rally report from 1981 to go with the cine film - you can see that  here. 

Cheers, Malcolm

Details here: Moment canal collapse swallows boat

VP Mark Rudall reports the following obituary:

I am saddened to report the death of John Tilley on 22nd November, at the age of 87. John was for many years a very high profile member living in the Midlands with his wife Francoise. They ran a 21' Frolic called 'Chantilly' and toured with her extensively in the UK and France, attending many rallies and organising them too. He wrote often for 'Funnel' and had a distinctive 'light touch', always being a man of humour.

John was a consummate engineer and alongside his steamboating was involved with steam cars and classic motorcycles, his last project, only a year or two ago, was to rebuild a Citroen Deux Chevaux and members may remember his rare Scott motorcycle. Towards the end he suffered with dementia, frustrated that his engineering activities had to cease, but he leaves a warm legacy of  engagement and laughter with those many SBA members who knew him.  We send sincere condolences to Francoise.'

I spoke to Francoise at length today. A lovely lady, and very sad that she has to wait for such a long time in the UK for the funeral to happen: not the French way at all...

The Henley River & Rowing Museum opened in 1998 has announced that it will be closing its doors to the public for the last time on Sunday 21st September 2025. The sad closure of this large Thames museum is due to significant increases of annual operational costs with loses averaging 1m£ a year. Note the museum are offering free entry during the closing weekend, as part of the Heritage Open Days Festival.

The museum collections include the 1874 Thornycroft steam launch EVA, an early umpire launch used at Henley Regatta rowing races. EVA is 45ft LOA which was restored and steamed at many SBA steamboat Rallies during the 1980’s including a visit to the SBA Windermere rally of 1989.

Congratulations to all the volunteers who have contributed to the SS Sir Walter Scott being made National Historic Trust's Flagship of the Year.

Brian Boucher (SBA Midlands Area Rep) kindly organised a Zoom call for members to discuss the SBAS Library offerings (with John Maltby and Malcolm Duckett) - looking at boilers, hulls, castings, engines and drawings. Here is a link to a zoom call, https://youtu.be/OhU7FH0DFTI

...and pictures of a Klinger-type sight-glass made from SBAS castings showing fittment to an SBAS water-tube boiler as discussed on the call.