News

The second program of the Antiques Road Show filmed at the Windermere jetty will be shown tomorrow, 9th May at 7.00pm on BBC1. Steam boats may or may not be featured.

We are having another attempt at monthy steams days at the Windermere Jetty and information about these can be found in the Events section.

We have already had a small do on St George's Day and the next event will be on Saturday 29th May to help celebrate the full re-opening of the Jetty after the lifting of Covid restrictions. If you wish to attend - with or without boat - please contact Dot Bullough on r.bullough375@btinternet.com

The quarterly report and info on the installation of the Purser's Cabin and deck rail stanchions and on about life on board can be found on www.medwayqueen.co.uk

The fund-raising site, Localgiving, has an event to mark what would have been Captain Tom’s 101st birthday. Pat Cooper, who sits on our committee as a council representative, has volunteered to take part in order to raise money for the ship.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheMedwayQueenPreservationSociety

Website: www.medwayqueen.co.uk/news/100-laps-challenge

We have also announced our provisional programme for 2021, with all the usual caveats of course, but we’ll be making more of that after Pat’s trek. www.medwayqueen.co.uk/visit--contact.html

Melksham Food and River Festival 2021

4^th and 5^th September

The 2021 Festival will be held on Saturday 4^th and Sunday 5^th September and we are inviting boat owners with trailable boats to come along with their boats. Steam launches are such a marvellous attraction and greatly enhance the Festival’s river experience for the visitors, so you would be especially welcome. The River Avon is navigable for about 1.5km.

More details of the event, including contact details and how to book your boat in can be found on the Festival web site www.melkshamfoodandriverfestival.co.uk   You can also follow us on Facebook. Keep an eye out as both sites will be updated over the intervening months, as plans are progressed.

Please note that this event is at Stoke Lock, River Wey, not at Dapdune Wharf as stated in previous information.

Puffing a-Wey at Damphune Wharf, Guildford, 9/10/11th July 2021. Details are now available in the Events Page. Also at Damphune Wharf on 8th July 2021 there will be a 'Get you Feet Wet' event for those without a boat who wish have an introduction to steam boating. Numbers for this event are limited so you need to get your name down early if interested.

Attention to all those of you who are interested and still thinking about this event and have not yet signed up.

Spaces are filling up fast for the weekend event and there will soon be limited availability for the Gala Dinner and other meals at Brathay so if you wish to attend you will need to register quickly. People who are unable to book or do not wish to book for the meals can still participate in the steaming events but you still need to register and there will be a registration fee for the each boat.

Also if you have still to book accommodation I would advise you to do so quickly as following the announcement yesterday re the lifting of Covid restrictions accommodation in the Lakes is likely to be very popular this summer and is likely to get booked up therefore you need to ensure your accommodation. Brathay Hall is fully booked except I believe for an eleven bedroom house. What this accommodation comprises of I do not know but it might be of interest if there are some of you who wish to get together.

The SBA has had notification of online talks about The Waverley and from the MHT.

The Waverley
Waverley's General Manager, Paul Semple, will deliver a live online Presentation entitled "Waverley - Achieving 2020 and Beyond" on Friday 12th February at 7:30 pm (GMT).   To watch the presentation simply visit the PSPS Scottish Branch YouTube channel which can be accessed by clicking the link.  There is no sign in, or password required.
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/J0nj_QN2GY8  .

The Maritime Heritage Trust
(Talks which will be available via Zoom are free but you need to book on Eventbrite.)

March 8th at 7pm   Passengers on historic ships: after 2020 what is the future
John Megoran looks at the post pandemic challenges facing historic passenger vessel operators around the UK and at possible solutions .
To book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/passengers-on-historic-ships-after-2020-what-is-the-future-tickets-140333979711.  Link also available via MHT website https://maritimeheritage.org.uk/component/zoo/item/passengers-on-historic-ships

Other talks coming up

Monday 22nd March at 7pm Scott and Hilary Pereira "A historic ship or boat as a home - the benefits and the challenges?"  
Scott and Hilary Pereira, owners of the Swedish motor yacht Lilian moored at Twickenham talk about living aboard and the potential for residential use to help sustain historic craft along the Thames and in other ports and rivers.
To book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-historic-ship-or-boat-as-a-home-the-benefits-and-the-challenges-tickets-140775843337.   Link also available via MHT website: https://maritimeheritage.org.uk/component/zoo/item/a-historic-ship-or-boat-as-a-home 

Talks in April (dates to be confirmed)

"What has European Maritime Heritage ever done for us?" David Morgan, MHT Chairman and retiring President of EMH, and others
Talk about the work of EMH and its partners, including its new charitable foundation. 

Heritage Harbours - how the local community can protect maritime heritage Brian Corbett, MHT 
He will give an update on this growing movement of communities around the country supported by MHT and National Historic Ships.   For an update on Heritage Harbours see  https://maritimeheritage.org.uk/component/zoo/item/heritage-harbours-update?Itemid=1767

Dates and booking details will be posted on the MHT website and Eventbrite very soon.

(The SBA accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.)

The SBA return to Harrington House, (site of the first Technical Seminar/Winter Week end in the early 1980s) will be taking place over the last week end in October 2021.

We already have almost enough bookings to take over Harrington House exclusively. A few rooms remain and if you are interested to know more or secure a booking, please contact Richard Havard as soon as possible. Contact details on inside of Funnel front cover or on Members Directory.