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FREE guide to sailing & other activities on the East Coast & its rivers

Tidemill Yacht Harbour Tidemill Way Woodbridge Suffolk IP12 1BP 01394 385745 info@tidemillyachtharbour.co.uk www.tidemillyachtharbour.co.uk VHF 80 Tidemill Yacht Harbour is a long-established marina in Woodbridge where you can moor your boat safely and relax and enjoy the gentle, unspoilt surroundings at your leisure. Our team are on hand for berthing, lifts, cleaning, winter storage and all the running repairs and maintenance your boat may need. We also boast a new travel hoist, impressive shower/washroom amenities and fully-equipped workshops.

• Annual & visitor moorings available all year • Winter storage packages available • Full boatyard services including lift & crane • Engine installation, servicing, diagnostics & repair • Electronics sales & installation • Osmosis treatment & resprays • GRP repairs, painting & varnishing

We look forward to welcoming you to the Tidemill Yacht Harbour!

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elcome to the Coastal Guide 2022! There’s much to celebrate this year – not least a return to travel and the leisure pursuits we love. Time will tell whether we’re fully out of the water where Coronavirus is concerned but, for now, our coastline is a hive of activity and there’s a sense of optimism around making plans and spending time with family and friends.

There’ll be big get-togethers this summer when communities gather to mark the Platinum Jubilee. And from the Wash to the Medway, the nation’s seafarers and sailors will be included in the celebrations; we’ve highlighted a couple in this edition, starting on p12.

Last year’s surge of interest in boat-buying and all things watersports-related looks set to continue, and with that comes a welcome membership boost for the clubs and centres offering people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to get afloat. Have a look at p11 for information on the RYA’s Discover Sailing initiative, p86 for some advice on choosing which club to join, and p93 for a county-by-county listing of those in our region. Among these is Snettisham Beach Sailing Club (see p89) – unique in Norfolk because it boasts both an inland lake and open sea – and Benfleet Yacht Club on Canvey Island, which in 2022 celebrates its centenary and is featured on p91. Congratulations!

Also marking a milestone this year is Suffolk Yacht Harbour’s Classic Regatta, which is now 20 years old. And, staying with the theme of golden oldies, one of the East Coast’s loveliest vintage vessels, sailing smack Excelsior LT472, celebrates being 101. During her centenary year in 2021 Excelsior was awarded the Freedom of the Town of Lowestoft – the first time the award had been made to an inanimate object! You can read her story and learn how to enjoy a trip aboard on p6, and there are details of an exciting smack race this summer, organised by The Excelsior Trust, on p33.

Recognise the view on this page? The photo was taken last time we sailed into the harbour at Brightlingsea, one of the East Coast’s watersports hot-spots. It’s a favourite destination for our writer Alexandra George too... see p34 for more.

Finally, we’re indebted to the advertisers whose support makes it possible for us to publish the Coastal Guide as a free-to-read resource, and to all the clubs and businesses that allow us to distribute it to their members and customers. Thankyou all!

Gill & Tim

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The Coastal Guide 2022 ©East Coast Creative www.eastcoastcreative.uk * All information correct at time of going to press; please check websites for updates

www.thecoastalguide.co.uk

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Contents

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06 Excelsior, still going strong 11 Watersports fun for all the family 12 A party like no other – East Coast Jubilee plans 14 Magnificence in Medway: celebrating royally 16 At your service: Essex Police on the water 21 Sailing events around the coastline 34 Beautiful Brightlingsea 46 A capital idea: things to do on & by the Thames 52 North Fambridge Riverside favourite reopens 55 Something to celebrate: Rivercruise Restaurants 56 Woolverstone Marina & Lodge Park 59 Former warship offers a warm welcome 61 Immerse yourself in history 64 Midsummer fun on the Sunrise Coast 67 Slowly does it: packrafting 71 Know-how, everywhere 72 Books & buys 76 Sail Arthur Ransome’s Nancy Blackett 78 Pulling (and pushing) together: EOEPS 81 Marinas & Moorings on the East Coast 86 Join the club: RYA advice on which to choose 89 Snettisham Beach Sailing Club 91 Happy 100 to Benfleet Yacht Club!

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Excelsior, still going strong Experience a piece of living history aboard an East Coast icon

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ne of the few remaining Lowestoft Sailing Smacks in the UK, 101-year-old Excelsior is a familiar sight off the East Anglian coast. Among the nation’s 60 most important historic ships, this award-winning traditional wooden sailing vessel, authentically maintained to original features, offers the opportunity to experience a very different way of life, far removed from that on land. All on board are treated as part of the crew, gaining hands-on experience of navigating a ship under sail, taking watches at night and living at close quarters with like-minded people.

It’s thanks to Lowestoft-based architect John Wylson and a management team of committed volunteers that the opportunity exists. In 1971 John rescued Excelsior LT472 from Norway, sailing her back home and, with help from keen enthusiasts, setting about dismantling and rebuilding the vessel, using completely authentic shipbuilding techniques and materials similar to those which would have constructed the »

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Lowestoft fishing smack fleet a century earlier.

The Excelsior Trust was formed as a registered charity in 1983 under the chairmanship of Lord Somerleyton, its goal to restore and maintain Excelsior and to provide traditional sailing for everyone. Between 1985 and 1989 the Trust completed a total rebuild of 77ft Excelsior, returning her to original sailing condition – an effort supported by many local companies, organisations and people.

Excelsior was commissioned as a sail training vessel

by HRH The Princess Royal in 1988 and since then almost 10,000 people have sailed on her – in fact the vessel has covered 75,000 sea miles to destinations around the UK, Northern Europe and Scandinavia.

During her centenary year in 2021 Excelsior was awarded the Freedom of the Town of

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Lowestoft (below) as an acknowledgement of the importance and high regard for the vessel locally – it was the first time the award had been made to an inanimate object!

In July 2022 the Trust is organising a Smack Race involving similar vessels from around the UK and Europe and this will present a magnificent sight off the East Coast.

At the same time a Vessels Festival will take place on shore, showcasing local maritime heritage and small businesses in the area, many associated with the sea. See p33 for more details.

Many who’ve enjoyed a trip on board Excelsior have returned as volunteers to help maintain this beautiful ship and keep her available to offer others a similar experience. For information on how to get involved, both afloat and on shore, or for information on sailing opportunities and the 2022 Smack Race, visit www.theexcelsiortrust.co.uk

Excelsior has been used by television and film makers in productions such as Channel 4’s The Real History Show: Fish and Ships and the BBC’s The Last Journey of John Keats where Andrew Motion, the poet laureate and Keats biographer, reenacted Keats’ last journey to warmer climes to delay the full onset of tuberculosis.

Excelsior has been an extra in Disney’s Alice Through the Looking Glass and Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk; and in productions specifically featuring her, such as ITV’s Anglia Afloat, BBC’s Coast, C5’s Fish & Ships and Channel 4’s Homes by the Sea. Earlier in 2022 she was filmed for the BBC’s Antiques Road Trip autumn series.

Step on board and you’re promised an adventure which can involve hard work if you wish but, most of all, fun! Day sails usually take around seven hours and can cater for up to 12 people. You’ll be welcomed on board by the skipper and crew and given a safety and essential information briefing with morning tea and coffee while meeting your fellow crew members before setting sail. After learning the basics you’ll have a hearty lunch at sea and time to relax before heading back to port. The atmosphere on board is very relaxed and the experienced crew are happy to let you be as involved or hands-off as you wish.

Holidays range from three to eight days and include destinations around the UK and Northern Europe. You’ll live alongside the crew and participate in all aspects of sailing Excelsior. Excelsior is also experienced in taking groups of young people aged 14 upwards on day sails and voyages. For many it’s the experience of a lifetime often with life-changing results, strengthening friendships and facing new challenges. Groups come from schools, universities, youth organisations, cadets and scouts, as well as other charities supporting those who may be disadvantaged in life.

• All trips are suitable for ages 14+ (some exceptions may apply) due to the size of the safety equipment on board. Online bookings are subject to an additional 6% booking fee.

2022 trips

Heritage Day Sail Experience From Lowestoft: leaving from Lowestoft’s Heritage Quay, by the South Pier, Excelsior sets out to sea. Join in with hoisting the bowsprit, take charge of the tiller or simply sit back and enjoy the salty air and the sound of the wind in the sails.

From Ipswich: enjoy a day sail along the picturesque River Orwell. Leaving from Ipswich Haven Marina, you’ll have the opportunity to help hoist the sails and get hands-on with sailing Excelsior. £99 per person to include tea, coffee and refreshments throughout the day.

Thames Estuary Trip, Lowestoft to London, June 5 This three-night voyage from Lowestoft via the Thames Estuary to St Katharine Docks by Tower Bridge gives participants the chance to see London from a completely new perspective before arriving at this historic mooring in the heart of the City of London.

Adults (25+) £375, Students (14-24) £285.

Summer Solstice Dawn Voyage from Lowestoft, June 20–21 Be first to see the sunrise from the most easterly point in England. You will be welcomed on board Excelsior in the evening and introduced to your crew and fellow adventurers before sharing supper and getting prepared for an early morning departure to watch dawn break. This will be followed by a few hours’ sailing off the Suffolk coast. £175 to include supper, breakfast, lunch and refreshments.

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Fun for all the family Over the last couple of years we’ve all come to appreciate the places and activities close to home… and this summer, the RYA’s Discover Sailing programme promises more of the same

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n the coastline, lakes and waterways across the UK there are some 2,000 RYA affiliated clubs and centres offering opportunities for water-lovers of all ages to get afloat, with many of these based on the East Coast’s inland rivers, lakes, Broads, estuaries and waterways. This summer many of these venues are running Discover Sailing sessions, inviting newcomers to ‘have a go’ for very little cost or, in many cases, even free of charge.

Having seen a Discover Sailing event advertised on a lamppost on his way home from work a few years ago, Martin Davies and his family started sailing at St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing Association and have not looked back since. To anyone thinking about trying sailing, Martin says: “It’s a great fun way to get kids outside and spend time outdoors doing something that makes you think. It’s not like going for a run where you just do it, but you need to think about the wind, tactics and how to make your boat go.”

Robbie Bell, RYA Regional Development Officer for the East says: “The varied waterways of the East, from the coast to rivers, lakes and Broads, mean that there is something for everyone. Over the last few years we have seen the benefits for both physical and mental health that being active and outside in the fresh air can bring, and getting on the water is a great way to do this. Sailing is also very social, and a brilliant way to meet new people whilst learning a new skill.”

Sailing really is a sport for all ages and abilities – everyone will enjoy the thrill of learning a new skill, meeting new friends, and getting out in the fresh air. By joining a sailing club, you can give back to that community through volunteering and helping to run the club. You can find your nearest Discover Sailing Event at www.rya.org.uk/startboating/discover-sailing.

• See p93 for a list of sailing clubs on and close to the East Coast, or visit www.rya.org.uk/ wheresmynearest

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A party like no other!

Coastal counties are joining forces to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee this summer

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ebruary 2020 saw Her Majesty The Queen making history as the first British monarch to mark 70 years of service to the people of the UK, the Realms and the Commonwealth.

Events are taking place throughout the year to mark this unprecedented anniversary, culminating in a special four-day UK Bank Holiday weekend from June 2-5. Kicking it all off in the capital, on Thursday June 2 more than 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians will come together in the Parade that traditionally marks The Queen’s official birthday (and is usually held on the second Saturday in June). Next day there’ll be a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s

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Cathedral, and on Saturday June 4 the BBC will stage and broadcast a special live concert from Buckingham Palace that will bring together some of the world’s biggest entertainment stars to celebrate the most significant and joyous moments from The Queen’s seven-decade reign.

Finally, on Sunday June 5 performers, dancers, musicians, military personnel, key workers and volunteers will take part in The Platinum Jubilee Pageant, an important part of which will be a ‘River of Hope’ comprised of 200 silk flags appearing like a moving river as they process down The Mall.

There’s no plan to repeat the maritime parade

that took place on the Thames ten years ago; heavy rain tested the Monarch’s mettle that day, as 1,000 boats from around the Commonwealth took part in the largest flotilla seen on the river for 350 years.

But along the East Coast, 2022 events organisers are hoping for better weather and multiple flag-waving opportunities, and planning for a host of celebrations is well under way.

The neighbouring counties of Essex and Suffolk, for instance, are joining forces for the Festival of the Sea 2022, on June 17-19 when, from Lowestoft to Leigh-on-Sea, there’s the promise of celebrations and parties up and down

the coast. Events on and off the water include sea shanties, coastal walks, fishing competitions and paddleboarding sessions. A particular highlight, however, is a parade of boats that will feature a variety of yachts from local marinas and clubs as well as vessels from organisations including the Royal Navy, Trinity House, Harwich Haven Authority (HHA) and the RNLI. Convening at the confluence of the rivers Stour and Orwell at 2pm on June 18, participating boats will pass spectators at Harwich Ha’penny Pier, Felixstowe Landguard Fort and Shotley Marina before dispersing off Ha’penny Pier at 4pm.

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Magnificence in Medway The region and its famous river will join the nation for a right royal celebration

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he region takes its name from the mighty River Medway that, for thousands of years, has linked the historic towns of Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham, Rainham and Strood. And it’s on the river that one of the Bank Holiday weekend’s biggest on-the-water events will take place when historic, commercial and recreational vessels come together for the Platinum Jubilee Medway River Pageant on Saturday, June 4.

The collection of craft will assemble at Queenborough Harbour on the Isle of Sheppey on Friday evening before parading up the river to Sun Pier at Chatham the following day. The pageant will reach its climax at 3.30pm with ‘The

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Great Cacophony’ – a synchronised spectacle of sights and sounds from ship to shore generated by the ships, viewing public and shoreside attractions and churches, further amplified by the whistles of steam locomotives at The Historic Dockyard Chatham and a gun salute at Fort Amherst.

Entertainment will focus on Sun Pier and along Chatham Waterfront, where there will be food stalls, live music, craft stalls and more from 12pm onwards. Following the pageant, crews will go ashore to continue their celebrations on dry land.

Elsewhere along the River Medway, from Thursday June 2 to Sunday June 5 there’ll be

opportunities to watch all the events taking place in the capital from within the grounds of Rochester’s castle, where you’ll find the finest and tallest Norman castle keep in the country.

And along Rochester High Street and within the castle grounds on June 4-5 there’ll also be an invitation to step back in time and honour both the Sovereign and arguably Britain’s greatest author at a weekend of Dickensian discovery with a Jubilee twist.

The annual Dickens Festival (inset, above) invites participants to immerse themselves in a cultural celebration of literature and entertainment and take in character parades from

bygone years, eclectic live music performances, prose and poetry readings and comedy skits.

•www.visitmedway.org

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At your service Keeping our coastline, its users and their craft safe is all in a day’s work for the officers of the Essex Police Marine Unit

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ased at Burnham-on-Crouch, the Essex Police Marine Unit (EPMU) is a team of one Sergeant and five Constables who police the entire coast of the county, from Mistley on the River Stour in the north to Crayford Ness, beyond the Dartford River Crossing, in the south – that’s over 350 miles of coast, rivers, estuaries and creeks. Now more than 70 years old, the Unit also has additional responsibility for inland waters such as non-tidal rivers, reservoirs and canals including the River Lee Navigation on the border with Hertfordshire, which brings its total policing area up to 562 miles.

“We have two boats, a 42ft Launch named

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Alert IV and a 24ft RHIB [rigid-hulled inflatable boat] named Sentinel, which are moored at Burnham Yacht Harbour,” says Sgt Alex Southgate. “The RHIB has a top speed of 56 knots and so can reach most areas along the coast fairly quickly. As well as this we have two small Avon boats fitted with outboards that we can deploy in inland waters – these are mainly used for searching.”

While it takes a great interest in Essex’s major ports at Harwich, Tilbury and London Gateway on the Thames, as well as smaller sites like Brightlingsea, EPMU’s focus is marine community policing. Keeping people safe in and by the water

is paramount – whether you’re a boat-owner, paddleboarder, canoeist, kayaker, kite-surfer or jetskier – or use the water for leisure in any other way – the team is at your service.

“One of the main issues we tackle in the warmer months is reports of anti-social-behaviour on the water which – although not always – is often is caused by jet-skis and powerboats,” says Alex. “To focus on this, we run Operation Wave Breaker from April to September; it sees a significant increase in our visibility on the water as well as shore patrols in the areas which we know suffer from this.

“There were 84 reports of anti-social

behaviour on the water in 2021 compared to 99 in 2020. During the summer months this is where the majority of our time is taken up. In the winter we spend a lot of time training, but still ensure we are visible in our community.

“We work closely with local harbour authorities to deal with this and last year Maldon District Council gifted our a team a jet-ski to use for our patrols.”

Providing reassurance to the marine community is key to EPMU’s work too, and the team takes up every opportunity it can to attend events such as town regattas and ‘street meets’ so officers can listen to the public’s concerns and »

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identify ways to resolve them.

“We work with partner agencies such as the Coastguard, RNLI and Border Force as well as the Marine Management Organisation and Kent and Essex Fisheries too,” says Alex. “Not every coastal police force has a marine unit in the UK – including Suffolk Police – and so we sometimes get asked to provide support for them as well.”

EPMU is certainly a commanding presence on the water, and both Alert IV and Sentinel often draw a crowd when alongside at Burnham Yacht Harbour.

“People often see us out in the warm weather and imagine that it’s a glamorous job,” says Alex.

“Don’t get me wrong – it is a fantastic role. But we are out in all conditions throughout the year and train to survive in gales and freezing cold seas. As well as being very physically demanding, it can also be mentally challenging… we can be called upon to conduct body recovery operations from the water and shoreline, for example.”

EPMU can be tasked by the force’s control room to incidents, whether on the water or land, as well as by Dover or Humber Coastguard. “The majority of our calls come via 999,” explains Alex. “Each of the five Police Constables has responsibility for a particular area and can be contacted for advice or information via email too.

“Always call 999 if there is a risk to life or you think an offence is being committed there and then,” urges Alex. “And I would always advise the public to report anything suspicious immediately via 101 or the do-it-online portal on the Essex Police website [www.essex.police.uk].

“If you think something doesn’t look right, then it probably isn’t.”

During Operation Wave Breaker last summer EPMU was involved in: • 29 deployments – these were specific patrols on top of the usual routine patrols • 202 hours on the water, also on top of the team’s usual routine • 135 stop checks on the water • 63 verbal warnings were issued relating to speeding on the water • 73 jet-skis were stopped • Four jet-ski riders were reported for Court attendance “People smuggling does occur along our coast, too, and we support Border Force who tackle the issue,” says Alex.

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Reports of thefts of, and from, boats along the Essex coast are all part of the work for EPMU – the poster above identifies some simple steps owners can take to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim.

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Coastal events

Nore Race

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enfleet Yacht Club celebrates its centenary in 2022, which makes this year’s Nore Race – a combined open cruiser and dinghy event held over a 20-mile circuit of the Thames Estuary, starting and finishing at Southend Pier – even more special than usual.

Benfleet Yacht Club has organised the Nore Race since the 1930s and it’s the only race that many of its skippers and crews compete in each year. Together with the Round Canvey Race (see p27), now in its 11th year, the Nore Race makes Benfleet Yacht Club a must-visit for sailors and watersports enthusiasts from as far away

as Whitby and Devon, as well as clubs closer to home along the East Coast.

The Nore Race includes all classes of sailing dinghies and cruising yachts, both multi- and monohull. This year’s event takes place on June 19, when there’ll be split start times for the dinghy and cruiser classes, with the ‘fast multihull’ dinghies completing two laps.

Benfleet Yacht Club celebrates its centenary later in the year, on September 10, with a full day of activities both on and off the water. Read more about the club on p91 of this edition.

•www.benfleetyachtclub.org

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Thames Traditional Boat Festival

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he 43nd Thames Traditional Boat Festival takes place on July 15-17, promising three days of family fun in the company of dozens of classic river craft and Dunkirk Little Ships.

Taking place opposite the Royal Regatta course at Henley-on-Thames, this celebration of all that’s best in British boatbuilding and craftsmanship evokes the nostalgia of boating from a bygone era and offers more attractions on the water than ever before.

The event owes its origins to concerns in the 1970s over the demise of many unpowered craft, seen neglected and rotting along the River Thames. The idea of a rally, to be held annually and open to anyone, was taken up by the River Thames Society which agreed to organise an event in 1978.

Over the years the Festival has welcomed the involvement of many boat clubs and societies, but the emphasis has always been on the preservation of beautiful craft, and its awards are still keenly fought for.

•www.tradboatfestival.com

Burnham Week

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he region’s ‘most challenging and friendly’ regatta, Burnham Week attracts a full range of sailors, from national champions and beginners with cruisers, one designs, multihulls and dinghies. The sheltered waters of the Rivers Crouch and Roach and all-tide access to the Thames Estuary are the setting for a variety of courses and there’s plenty of action off the water too. This year’s event is from August 27 to September 3, when a firework display draws crowds all along the quayside.

•www.burnhamweek.com

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North West Norfolk Week

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rganised by the North West Norfolk Sailing Association and known colloquially as Norfolk Week, this event offers close racing at a different location every day. Run every year since 1949 – except for 2020 when covid restrictions prevented it – this family-friendly event is due to take place in 2022 on July 24-30. Sailed at all the clubs in the area, a near-unique feature is the variety of sailing on offer. Snettisham Beach SC (see p89) is on the Wash and offers large open sea courses, while the Ouse Amateur Sailing Club offers non-tidal river racing. The largest coastal salt marshes in the world stretch between Brancaster and Blakeney with sailing at Brancaster, Overy, Wells and Blakeney SCs. Daily, weekly and sometimes random prizes and trophies mean that there is something for everyone, and the facilities offered by the host clubs are as varied as the sailing itself.

•www.norfolkweek.co.uk

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Brightlingsea Regatta & Carnival

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rightlingsea’s two most popular annual crowd-drawing events, the Regatta and Carnival, join forces in 2022 to make one single spectacular weekend (July 16-17) for all to enjoy.

On the first day, townsfolk and visitors will line the carnival route, while the waterfront where the procession terminates will be a hive of activity with the local sailing and watersports clubs providing varied programmes of entertainment.

Popular watersports clubs – including Colne Yacht Club, Brightlingsea Coastal Rowing Club and Brightlingsea Sailing Club – will be offering the chance to get out on the water to try sailing, gig rowing and powerboating. Each will also have programmes of onshore and water-based entertainments, food, drinks and somewhere to sit and enjoy the day. A spectacular free firework display rounds off the day’s events.

On Sunday, the Brightlingsea Regatta Paddle Board & Kayak Fun Race raises funds for St Helena Hospice. Starting from the beach in front of Brightlingsea Sailing club, competitors will paddle around a short course along the Promenade and back to the club’s finish line.

•www.brightlingsearegatta.com

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Mersea Week

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he sheltered waters of the River Blackwater provide a fitting setting for the ‘family and friends-oriented’ Mersea Week, due to be held on August 15-20 this year. Organised by a committee of volunteers from the Dabchicks Sailing Club and the West Mersea Yacht Club – which means that competitors are welcome to use the facilities of both throughout the week – this event is one of the Essex island’s premier fixtures. Under separate organisation, the West Mersea Town Regatta is scheduled for August 13.

•www.merseaweek.org

Three Rivers Race

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ailed as ‘Europe’s toughest inland sailing race’, the Three Rivers Race takes place on May 2829 this year. The course of this Horning Sailing Club event covers over 50 miles and three different rivers – the Bure, Ant and Thurne – and sees competitors having to lower masts to navigate the three bridges at Potter Heigham and Acle.

Each has up to 24 hours to complete the course. The start of the race is the best time for spectators to view the fleet in one concentrated mass, waiting to be started in groups of around 10 boats upstream of the start line at Horning Sailing Club.

•www.3rr.uk

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A traditional family run boatyard on the River Deben, in the heart of Woodbridge.

Contact us for all your boating needs, including: Full repair and fitting out service Rigging supplied and fitted Hardstanding and Lay-up packages Painting and varnishing 14 tonne travel hoist Large winched slipway

The Crow’s Nest Come and stay at our wonderful holiday apartment overlooking the boatyard and River Deben, accommodating 6, with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The open-plan living room, dining room and fully fitted kitchen open onto a large balcony with river views.

Robertsons Boatyard, Lime Kiln Quay, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1BD Tel: 01394 382305 info@robertsons-boatyard.co.uk www.robertsons-boatyard.co.uk crowsnest@robertsons-boatyard.co.uk www.thecrowsnestwoodbridge.co.uk

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Round Canvey Race

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enfleet Yacht Club’s Coastal Rowers are an active group of rowing enthusiasts – the club has a number and variety of fixed and sliding seat coastal rowing craft available for all members to use, and many compete in major events in other parts of the UK as well as the near continent.

Keeping the action close to home, however, Benfleet Yacht Club organises the annual Round Canvey Race, a rowing, row/sail or paddle event that covers a 14.5 mile circuit of the entire coast of Canvey Island.

This annual open event was established in 2010 and an eclectic mix of vessels have competed to date: fixed seat and sliding seat row boats, surf skis, kayaks, outrigger canoes and a variety of sailing dinghies. The current time record is one hour 44 minutes – an average speed of 7.2 knots – and boats from as far away as Whitby have travelled to compete.

This year’s Round Canvey Race is due to take place on July 2. The course includes four tidal

barrages, there are bridges to pass under – so masts will come down – and all craft must be suitable for deep water and potentially rough conditions. Free overnight camping is available at Benfleet Yacht Club, which is on the northern shore of Canvey Island.

•www.benfleetyachtclub.org

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IOS Round the Island Race

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he East Coast’s own Round the Island Race is due to take place on August 27-28 when the Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club hosts its endurance event – at 40 miles it’s the UK’s longest annual dinghy, catamaran and board race and not to be confused with other ‘24hour’ races which allow for a change of helm and crew.

Sailed clockwise around the island, the race was established in 1959 and starts and finishes at Sheerness.

It includes tidal sea, river and estuary sailing – larger dinghies and multihulls have to be stopped, heeled over and walked under the inner span of the lifting road bridge at Kingsferry.

The race is open to all classes of dinghy, catamaran and sailboard. Typical passage times are between three and 10 hours – current course records are one hour 52 minutes for multihulls, two hours 17 minutes for monohulls and two hours 34 minutes for sailboards.

The event is part of the five-race Allen Endurance Series, which is designed to test sailors and boats to their limits and find the UK’s ultimate endurance champion.

•www.iossc.org.uk

Wroxham Week

H

osted by the Norfolk Broads Yacht Club, Wroxham Week features seven days of racing and a full programme of land-based evening entertainment.

Taking place from July 25-31, the regatta is open to all singleand double-handed dinghies. The club’s end of season Open Regatta takes place on October 15-16 and has racing in all classes.

•www.nbyc.co.uk

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Medway Yacht Club Keelboat Regatta

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o avoid a clash with the scheduled River Pageant which celebrates Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on June 4 (see p14), Medway Yacht Club’s Keelboat Regatta takes place on June 2-3 this year.

A relaxed event offering three classes of handicap racing for cruisers plus one design racing for Dragons, Sonatas and Squibs, all races start and finish from committee boats in the River Medway or the Thames Estuary – apart from the Squibs which will use the normal club line.

This year the event will incorporate the Sonata East Coast Championships and to get in some practice before the event, all competitors are welcome to join in Medway Yacht Club’s regular Wednesday evening race on the night before the Regatta.

Off the water, a full social programme is planned, including an open air theatre show by the Handlebards on the Thursday evening (tickets to be booked in advance) and a prizegiving barbecue party on the Friday.

•www.medwayyachtclub.com

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Classic Regatta

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uffolk Yacht Harbour’s premier event, the Classic Regatta, takes place on June 10-12 and this year celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Founded in 2002, the SYH Classic Regatta is the largest event of its kind on the East Coast and attracts a fleet of both local and visiting sailors, some from as far afield as the Channel Islands. On-the-water action is complemented by socialising in the on-site Haven Ports Yacht Club lightship, with a regatta party and live band on Saturday evening.

Regatta entry criteria requires yachts to be either pre-1970 design of traditional construction, Bermuda or gaff rigged and built of wood or steel.

Modern classic yachts with wooden or steel hulls are also welcome.

SYH Managing Director Jonathan Dyke says:

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“After a fantastic post-Covid comeback last year, the SYH Classic Regatta is in great shape. The classic sailing and motor yacht scene on the East Coast is thriving, and we look forward to welcoming boats from across the UK to join the celebrations.”

Owner of Spirit 52 Flight of Ufford and founder of Spirit Yachts, Sean McMillan says: “There is something quite magical about racing on the East Coast. The welcome here is quite extraordinary; Jonathan puts so much effort into the whole thing. It’s run on a very Corinthian spirit and the manners on the racetrack are rather wonderful.

It’s at that fantastic time of year when everyone is full of enthusiasm for the season to come; I wouldn’t miss it.”

•www.syhclassicregatta.co.uk

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The Excelsior Trust Centenary Smack Race

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he waters off Lowestoft Ness will be festooned with the red sails of traditionally-rigged sailing smacks on July 30, as The Excelsior Trust hosts an international Smack Race. Postponed from last year, this one-off event will be staged to celebrate the centenary of Lowestoft’s own 77ft sailing vessel Excelsior LT472, an icon of the town’s national fishing heritage (see p6).

Organisers are expecting there to be up to 25 traditional vessels in Lowestoft, including Boy Leslie BM312, a former Brixham trawler built in Galmpton in 1911 and now operated as a sail training vessel in Norway; Swan LK243, a former Shetland herring boat built in Lerwick in 1900 and now operated locally as a sail training vessel and the 70ft Pioneer, the last of the large Essex smacks to survive.

A smack race would have been held traditionally in the late 1800s when Lowestoft was a fishing boom-town, but due to the decline in fishing and the increasing rarity of these historic vessels, the last event of this kind was held over 20 years ago. As there are different types of sailing smacks taking part this

year, the boats will be put into different racing classes to ensure opportunities are fair for all.

From 9am a spectacular close-up view of the historic vessels will be best seen from Lowestoft’s South Pier, as the smacks process through the Bascule Bridge and out to sea. The staggered start can be seen from the Sea Wall opposite Lowestoft Maritime Museum, and the progress of the various classes can be followed from Gunton Cliff as the fleet sets off around the course.

Back on Lowestoft’s South Pier, there will be a two-day ‘Vessels Festival’ taking place with stalls, music and displays reflecting the now vibrant maritime, business and arts scene in Lowestoft.

Excelsior Trust founder John Wylson says: “This will be a remarkable and truly historic event, which could be one of the last of its kind.

Sadly each year the number of old wooden fishing smacks, fully restored and maintained to be seaworthy, diminishes. So let’s enjoy this wonderful collection of heritage vessels whilst we can.”

•www.theexcelsiortrust.co.uk

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Beautiful Brightlingsea This East Coast harbour town offers enjoyment for everyone... Alexandra George explains why

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ssex has the longest coastline of all the counties in England, and as a child I was convinced I knew it all. Harwich, Walton-on-theNaze, Frinton-on-Sea, Clacton, Mersea Island, Bradwell, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend… any one would be a go-to on high days and holidays.

In those formative years when the shops were shut on Sunday and the time was spent catching

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up with family and friends, it was my parents who’d decide where to head; ‘traffic’ seemed an overriding concern, necessitating early starts and late nights.

Today, however, as a rose-tinted cast appears on the photographs of children squealing in the surf, sulking over beach sports and devouring seafood suppers, I sail this same coastline and

it’s the tide tables and wind direction that dictate my destination. And it’s this new approach to exploring my former home county that has led to the discovery – better late than never! – of a very special site of seaside loveliness I’d never visited before: beautiful Brightlingsea!

Unusual for Essex, perhaps, this delightful Tendring town remains both understated

and authentic. But if you know, you know: Brightlingsea is a prime location for sailing and watersports – definitely one to rival the more widely known Burnham-on-Crouch or West Mersea – a fabulous choice for a day out and, I believe, the epitome of all that’s best about the East Coast. On the following pages, I’ll explain why… »

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LOCATION

Almost totally surrounded by the Colne Estuary, Brightlingsea Creek and salt marsh, Brightlingsea’s road links with the rest of the world are rather limited. In fact there’s only one road into and out of the town; during the North Sea Flood of 1953 Brightlingsea was cut off from the outside.

For sailors, the Colne/Blackwater estuary provides sheltered sea sailing at all states of the tides and the location can be unbeatable for racing, while for those who want to simply ‘potter’, the creeks and rivers – so full of wildlife – offer a lifetime of exploration and discovery.

Everything you’d expect from a good oldfashioned family day out is here: beach huts, a swimming pool and boating lake. The sandy beach is safe for paddling and swimming, and even on the busiest of Bank Holidays there’s space for everyone to enjoy a walk along the Prom.

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BOAT TRIPS

Even those who arrive at Brightlingsea by sea will want to take advantage of some of the trips on offer aboard other types of vessel, beginning with the Water Taxi which transports passengers from the Harbour’s linear pontoons to the shore. Buy tokens from the Harbour Office or the coxswain on board, and don’t forget to check the ‘last trip of the day time’ if you’re heading into town for food and drinks.

For those wishing to explore further afield, the Foot Ferry will take you to both Point Clear and East Mersea. Custom-built, it has a ramp which can be lowered to allow access for wheelchair users and cycles, and dogs are welcomed aboard too.

If your schedule allows for a longer trip, a river cruise along the Colne to Wivenhoe is a must. With its narrow streets and quaint buildings, Wivenhoe has been home to many famous people and

SITES TO SEE

included in the price of this return boat trip is a main meal at the 300–year-old Black Buoy Inn, which is steeped in maritime history.

Harbour tours and private boat charters are also offered by the Brightlingsea Harbour team.

•www.brightlingseaharbour.org

Located at Westmarsh Point at the entrance to Brightlingsea Creek, Bateman’s Tower is a folly built in 1883 by wealthy local merchant John Bateman as a place of recuperation for his daughter who was suffering from consumption.

Now often mistaken for a Martello Tower, during the Second World War the original roof of the folly was removed so that the tower could be used as an observation post.

Supported by Heritage Lottery and using local craftsmen and suppliers, in 2004-5 the roof was reinstated in its original form and the tower opened to the public. The Colne Yacht Club managed the project through a small committee and match-funded the process with volunteer labour and expertise from members. It is now used exclusively by Colne Yacht Club for race officer duties and available for the public to visit on race days.

First recorded in 1315, Grade I listed Jacobs Hall on the High Street was used as a meeting place during the reign of Henry III, and visited by Queen Mary in 1938. Reputedly the oldest timberframed building in England, it is now a private residence. »

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Brightlingsea Harbour is a small mixed leisure and commercial port situated in Brightlingsea Creek, close to the mouth of the Colne where it meets the Blackwater and Thames Estuaries Brightlingsea Harbour is a Trust Port managed by Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners, who also run Waterside Marina.

Harbour facilities include:

Water Taxi • Fresh Water • Fuel • Sewage Pump Out • Laundry • Showers • Maintenance Posts • Wifi and electric in the marina • Waste Disposal Brightlingsea has a great selection of hostelries, shops, clubs and services, and our Harbour boat trips and Foot Ferry make it easy for visitors to explore the area further... The marina has been dredged and now has 2m clearance.

01206 Guide 302200 • mail@brightlingseaharbour.org • www.brightlingseaharbour.org • VHF Channel 68 Coastal half page advert.qxp_Layout 1 11/03/2020 10:00 Page 5

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THE HARBOUR

The main harbour here can be very busy – in a typical year there’ll be thousands of visiting yachts, power boats, paddle boards, canoes, sailing dinghies and large cargo ships all sharing the same stretch of water. Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners keep everyone safe, and after a sail along the coast it’s refreshing to find the Harbour Master and his team – they really are the friendliest bunch! – on their launch ready to meet and direct vessels to their berth. Fuel, water, shower and laundry facilities are all available, along with a choice of marina and pontoon berths.

•www.brightlingseaharbour.org

FOOD & DRINK

Brightlingsea still feels like a ‘proper’ town, its High Street home to numerous shops including an independent butcher, baker and greengrocers. There are more than enough pubs to quench your thirst and a number of cafés, fish and chip shops, restaurants and take-aways that cater for all tastes.

Just a short stroll from the Harbour, the Yachtsmans Arms is steeped in local history, serves excellent food and welcomes kids, dogs and muddy boots… perfect! Slightly further away, but still within comfortable walking distance, The Rosebud on Hurst Green specialises in seafood, offers a good range of alternatives and has lovely views across Brightlingsea Creek to the sea beyond.

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THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY SAILING CLUB Expect the warmest of welcomes at The University Community Sailing Club – its Grade II listed HQ on Waterside is well worth a visit!

A social, sailing and rowing club with an interesting history, UCSC exists ‘to promote and facilitate the sport of sailing and the art of seamanship’ and it’s open to ‘all persons whether the owners of a yacht or boat or not, who are interested in the sea and ships’.

For those who’d like to get out on the water but don’t have a vessel of their own, the club has two Sonatas, three Wayfarers, a Laser and two gigs which are available for members to use.

Training, crewing, racing and maintenance sessions are all part of the regular calendar of events, the RYA-affiliated clubhouse has a friendly licensed bar and is the setting for a number of social events, and there’s a boatyard with storage and maintenance facilities too.

•www.ucscbrightlingsea.com

Brightlingsea Ferry and Harbour Tours Explore the historic Harbour and its surrounds on board our family-friendly foot ferry and tour boats. Take a trip across the water to Mersea Island or Point Clear, or enjoy the stunning scenery alongside the River Colne on a cruise to the quaint village of Wivenhoe, where a delicious meal at the renowned Black Buoy inn awaits. Alternatively, book an exclusive charter and we’ll create the perfect private voyage for you, your family and friends. Bikes and dogs are welcome, so everyone can join in the fun!

For more on routes, fares, timetables and how to book, call into the Harbour Office, download the Brightlingsea Harbour App or see www.brightlingseaharbour.org

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WATERSIDE MARINA DEVELOPMENT

Adjacent to Brightlingsea Harbour, this residential waterside development with apartments overlooking the water was, some time ago, something of an eyesore when building works were left unfinished. Now completed, it attracts new residents to the town and adds an upmarket punctuation point to the skyline, along with some great views of its 50-berth marina and the waters beyond.

This is also home to No.1 Harbour Square, a friendly, informal venue for food and drink – whether you’re ordering breakfast or a

PIONEER SAILING TRUST

The Trust was initially founded in 1999 with an ambition to restore a 70ft Essex smack, Pioneer CK18, which had fallen into decay after a life spent dredging oysters in the North Sea. Restored in 2005, the vessel forged a new life as a sail training boat, now an essential part of the Trust’s wider mission to facilitate learning opportunities for young people, through maritime experiences.

The trust opened Harker’s Yard in 2009 to further its work with training and education in the marine industry, and now provides opportunities for work experience and apprenticeships in marine engineering and boat building and repair. Along with a base for

sundowner, the service and servings will be pleasing.

•www.no1harboursquare.co.uk Pioneer during the winter months, it also provides a quay and fuel barge facility for working vessels.

The continued production of the cold-moulded wooden East Coast rowing gigs at Harker’s Yard is one of its other success stories. Apprentices are encouraged to row in the Trust’s own rowing gig, Matchless, and crew on Pioneer – this helps them develops a greater understanding of the craft and industry they are learning and absorbing.

As an RYA training venue, the Trust offers courses on Pioneer as well as the opportunity to race her in annual regattas on the East Coast and its estuaries.

•www.pioneerck18.org

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THE LIDO

With such proximity to the salty waters of the East Coast, it’s lovely to see that Brightlingsea’s open air swimming pool, built in 1933, is one of the few remaining lidos still in use in the UK. An unheated freshwater facility, the lido comprises a 15m children’s pool and a 50m main swimming pool plus changing facilities and sunloungers; there’s an excellent café too.

COLNE YACHT CLUB

Colne Yacht Club boasts the finest views over Brightlingsea Creek and is hard to miss – a cheery blue and white building at the top of the Hard, it has its own private floating jetty offering easy, clean access to the water at all but the lowest of spring tides.

CYC offers lots of opportunities to get afloat and it manages, maintains and operates four Hunter Sonatas to deliver RYA qualifications, all of which will be in action when the club hosts the Sonata National Championships in August 2022.

In recent years three particular club sections have grown in popularity: Women on the Water meet alternate Thursday mornings throughout summer, Blokes in Boats is run on a Sunday morning, and on Wednesday nights there’s Sonata Racing, a two-race meet followed by bevvies at the Oar Store Bar. CYC’s friendly clubhouse is home to a bar which leads onto a large, sunny balcony overlooking the harbour. The refurbished showers here are available for visitors’ use – the Harbour office can provide information on access if the premises are closed.

•www.colneyachtclub.org.uk

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BRIGHTLINGSEA COASTAL ROWING CLUB

Brightlingsea Coastal Rowing Club, formed in 2011, is open to anyone interested in getting afloat and enjoying some exercise in beautiful surroundings with like-minded people. A full calendar of events ranges from regular sessions in Brightlingsea to exploring the creeks of the River Colne and trips further afield. Racing is encouraged and the club participates in many events, including local town regattas, the 21-mile Great River Race in London and the Harker’s Yard Gigs’ Winter Series.

The club started life with a pre-loved Admiralty Sailing Boat but everything changed

HERITAGE AND HISTORY

The medieval town of Brightlingsea grew up around two centres – the parish church and the port, where the trade was in oysters, fish, copperas – a green pigment made of iron sulphate – and locally made bricks.

Grade I listed All Saints Church contains a number of monuments dating from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Most notable is a band of 211 square memorial tiles dating from 1872 to 1973, each remembering a Brightlingsea person who has died at sea.

A marine chart dated 1590 shows Brightlingsea Church as a navigation mark; it’s said that Canon Arthur Pertwee, vicar from 1872 to 1917, even in his old age climbed the tower to give a guiding light to the fishing fleet entering the harbour.

In 1867 the yacht Mignonette was built by Aldhous Successors in Brightlingsea. She foundered on her way to Australia in 1884, leaving four sailors adrift in a lifeboat. In desperation, three of the four killed and ate the sickest member, 17-year-old cabin boy Richard Parker – the subsequent trial, R. v. Dudley and Stephens, established the common-law principle that necessity is not a valid defence against a charge of murder.

SAILING HERITAGE

Brightlingsea was the birthplace of one of Britain’s best-known sailors and boat builders, Reg White. He won the Little America’s Cup a record five times between 1963 and 1968, and led the Olympic Tornado class for two decades, winning gold for Britain with another local, his brother-in-law John Osborn, at the 1976 Games in Canada. White – who also won the Tornado world championship in 1976 and 1979. Both men were awarded MBEs in 1997.

The town gave its name to the Brightlingsea One Design, designed in 1927 by Robbie Stone, which offers classic day-boat racing at its best. The fleet sails regularly throughout the season, with races mainly run by either Brightlingsea Sailing Club or the Colne Yacht Club, as well as at local regattas.

•www.brightlingseaonedesign.com

MORGAN MARINE when local boat builder The Pioneer Trust was looking to provide apprentices with skills in the construction of traditional wooden boats. At the same time, a local architect had drawn plans for a traditional wooden four-oared rowing gig… with funding from Sport England, Velocity (above) was purchased in 2012, her vibrant red hull and ease of rowing attracting so many new members that, after a successful application for more grant funding, Vanduara joined the fleet too.

BCRC welcomes new members regardless of age, fitness or gender; no-obligation ‘come and try’ sessions are held once a week in summer.

•www.brightlingseacoastalrowingclub.co.uk

Established in 1972 and located across a 10-acre site, Morgan Marine offers a wide variety of marina and boat yard services, a chandlery and marine clothing store and a brokerage for new and used boats. The on-site know-how here can be a huge help in times of trouble; there are always bargains to be bagged in-store too.

•www.morganmarine.com

THE MUSEUM

Brightlingsea is a small town with a big history and its museum brings it all to life, with activities, photos and artefacts to appeal to all ages. It’s also a good starting point for any exploration – leaflets on two town trails are available to collect from the museum, which you’ll find on Station Road.

•www.brightlingseamuseum.co.uk

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BRIGHTLINGSEA SAILING CLUB

Brightlingsea Sailing Club is always bustling but has a real family-friendly feel about it. Formed in 1888 – its first recorded race took place on Easter Monday of that year – it’s survived two World Wars, a high tide floating its starting hut off Point Clear and onto Cindery Island, and a December 2013 flood. Today it boasts excellent facilities including a wide launching ramp, adjacent dinghy and private car park, large bar and galley, spacious changing rooms and a south-facing terrace bordering the sandy beach – a safe place for the little ones and non-sailors to enjoy. A new Sailing Management Centre opened in 2020, replacing the old simple wooden start hut with a two-storey building that combines a race office on the first floor and an administration office/small training room on the ground floor.

At the core of the club’s activity is a wide variety of sailing, from beginners’ training through competitive racing to leading-edge boat

TRADITIONS

development. BSC was awarded RYA Champion Club status in 2013, two years later it became RYA Club of the Year and was awarded High Performance status, and in 2017 it was further awarded RYA Sailability status. The club’s RYAapproved Sailing School runs courses for both non-members and members wishing to improve their skills, along with dinghy sailing taster sessions and beginners’ courses for newcomers to the sport.

Club racing takes place from March to the end of December and includes fleet and handicap racing on weekends and evenings, from May to August there are informal supported sailing sessions two nights a week which aim to encourage everyone to enjoy being at the BSC beach and ‘messing about in boats’, and there’s an active dinghy cruising section that’s all about the adventure of exploring the local coastal waters, rivers and creeks at a pace that suits.

•www.sailbrightlingsea.com

Brightlingsea is one of a historic group of coastal towns known as The Confederation of Cinque Ports – the name is Old French, meaning ‘five harbours’ – originally formed for military and trade purposes. Every year the town hosts a Blessing & Reclaiming of the Waters, which, in 2022 will take place on May 29. As in previous years, a colourful procession of robed mayors, clergy and others will follow a band to the top of the Hard, for a service and the Blessing of the Waters on the jetty hammerhead and on board the historic oyster smack, Pioneer CK18. Following this, a flotilla of Brightlingsea’s historic fishing smacks leaves the jetty to cheers, horns and noise, the parade of vessels along the creek ‘beating the boundaries’ and re-asserting Brightlingsea’s rights to its own waters.

It’s a colourful and fascinating tradition… one well worth watching.

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Great food in a fabulous location!

Woolverstone Marina & Lodge Park, Woolverstone, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 1AS 01473 780909

www.thelochandquay.co.uk

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A capital idea!

No trip to London is complete without a visit to the Thames... and there are plenty of activities to enjoy there this year »

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Going up...

Gain an insight into life at sea and enjoy some stunning views of the capital from the rigging of a London must-see

F

or the first time since she arrived in Greenwich in 1954, visitors can climb the masts of the famous Cutty Sark, the last surviving tea clipper and one of the world’s most famous ships.

Built in 1869, Cutty Sark was one of the fastest tea clippers of her day, due partly to the modern engineering techniques behind her rigging. To help the ship reach speeds of 17 knots, Cutty Sark had over 11 miles of rigging, an original sail area of 32,000 sq.ft. across 32 sails, and a main mast standing at 152ft.

Launched this spring, ‘The Rig Climb Experience’ begins with a briefing beneath the ship’s beautiful hull, then those brave enough to take on the challenge will step from the main deck onto the ship’s ratlines and climb up its shrouds, just as hundreds of sailors did during Cutty Sark’s long and fabled career at sea. After traversing one of the ship’s lower yardarms to reach the tops platform and take in magnificent views, climbers will then experience something that not even the ship’s crew did – a controlled descent from the rigging down to street level aside the ship.

There are two different experiences on offer: the Cutty Sark Rig Climb Experience and the Rig

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Climb Experience Plus. Standard Rig Climb prices start from £41 for adults and £26 for children, while Plus prices start from £51 for adults and £36 for children. These prices include general admission to Cutty Sark, meaning you can take part in the climb and explore the ship on the same day. Tickets also include all safety equipment and free storage of personal items.

Emma Massoud, General Manager of Cutty Sark says: “We’re so pleased to be able to offer such an exciting and authentic experience at Cutty Sark. Now our visitors can get an insight into what it would have been like to be a sailor in the 1800s. It goes against all your survival instincts to be up that high but if you like an adrenaline rush and beautiful views, this is the experience for you. The sunsets from up on the rigging, with the red skies over London sites such as St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and The Shard, are truly spectacular.”

The Cutty Sark is located in Cutty Sark gardens, a short walk from Cutty Sark DLR and within walking distance of Royal Museums Greenwich’s other sites, the National Maritime Museum, the Queen’s House and Royal Observatory Greenwich.

Visitors can venture aboard and beneath the

Photographs Nathan Turner

Get on the water

Even the most familiar of places looks different from the water, so for a new view of London GoBoat offers a fun way to embark on a journey of discovery.

Tiller controlled and powered by a Torqeedo electric motor, each GoBoat can fit up to eight people including children (dogs are welcome too) around a sociable picnic table, and no previous boating experience is necessary – you’ll be taught everything you need to know by a friendly crew who issue boating instructions and provide lifejackets for babies and buoyancy aids for children. Participants will also be given a route map to help with navigation.

The company’s launch locations in the capital include Bellmouth Passage at Canary Wharf, which opens up access to a stunning section of London’s Docklands. One-, two- and threehour bookings are available, with prices starting at £95 per boat for the shortest.

•www.goboat.co.uk.

beautiful three-masted clipper; walk along the decks in the footsteps of the merchant seamen who sailed over a century ago; explore the hold where precious cargo was stored on epic voyages; and even walk underneath the 963-tonne ship in the dry berth below to view the elegant lines of her hull.

• Cutty Sark is open 10am–5pm seven days a week – for more details see www.rmg.co.uk/ cuttysark. Admission to Cutty Sark is by ticket, available in advance online, by telephone or in person on the day (subject to demand).

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Fun on the foreshore In the Victorian era it was a matter of survival among London’s poorest… today, mudlarking is touted as a fun and fascinating activity for all to enjoy

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he capital is chock-full of museums and iconic heritage sites, but for a truly hands-on history lesson, topping the to-do list for tourists and daytrippers is a delve into the mud alongside the River Thames.

Evoking all the darkness of a Dickensian novel, the word mudlarking was used formerly to refer to the (mostly) women and children who, in Victorian times, would scour the water’s edge for anything of value. Any coal they scavenged would be sold to or shared with other paupers; they’d take iron, rope, bones and nails to rag shops and, if they were lucky, exchange found tools for food.

It was, undoubtedly, a bleak existence. But, more than a century on, mudlarking has been reinvented… and groups of all ages and social standing are stepping onto the foreshore to search for remnants of centuries past, courtesy of a guided – and Port of London Authority-approved – mudlarking ‘experience’.

Participants may unearth all manner of finds: pottery and glass, jewellery, buttons, pins, nails and bones – likely the remains of butchered

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animals cast into the river long ago – among them, while some of the most common finds, discarded clay pipes, are a nod to the times before paper cigarettes existed.

The best mudlarking locations are beneath the Millennium Bridge, outside the Tate Modern on the South Bank or near St. Paul’s Cathedral on the North Bank. Gabriel’s Wharf and the areas around Southwark and Blackfriars bridges have also revealed some interesting finds.

After fears that amateur treasure-seekers were failing to report significant finds or take adequate safety precautions, any form of searching for objects washed up by the tides is now permitted only if you’re in possession of a foreshore permit.

Issued by the Port of London Authority – which, together with the Crown Estate, is the largest landowner of the Thames foreshore – a permit is required by anyone searching the tidal Thames foreshore from Teddington to the Thames.

This includes all searching, metal detecting, beachcombing, scraping and digging – all such activities are limited to a depth of 7.5 cm.

Read all about it “The foreshore’s basically a big history book… every tide reveals something different,” says Londoner Lara Maiklem, who started a Facebook community in 2012 to share her mudlarking discoveries with people all over the world.

Initially drawn to the foreshore in search of ‘a quiet place to go’, she’s now the author of two books on the subject – Sunday Times bestseller ‘Mudlarking: Lost and Found on the River Thames’ and ‘A Field Guide to Larking: Beachcombing, Mudlarking, Fieldwalking and More’, (both published by Bloomsbury) – and this year was made a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.

Lara’s 2022 finds include Tudor shoe soles, pieces of a medieval floor tile, a George III halfpenny and some 18th century pipes.

Look for London Mudlark on Facebook to follow her foreshore adventures.

Safety in numbers The foreshore is potentially hazardous and some dangers may not always be immediately apparent. The Thames can rise and fall by over seven metres twice a day as the tide comes in and out. The current is fast and the water is cold. In addition to these dangers, there are other less obvious hazards, for example raw sewage, broken glass, hypodermic needles and wash from vessels, along with the possibility of Weil’s Disease, which is spread by rats urine in the water. In addition, steps and stairs down to the foreshore can be slippery and dangerous, and are not always maintained.

Joining a guided foreshore walk eliminates all such worries.

Essex-based sisters Jo and Donna tried mudlarking with the Thames Explorer Trust, which offers two-hour ‘foreshore exploration’ sessions led by experienced and knowledgeable guides who are trained in foreshore health and safety.

“We had about an hour to explore once the guide had talked us through the history of the Thames, but I was immensely surprised by the wealth of items on the surface of the foreshore,” says Jo. “What I did find staggering was the lengths of clay pipe! I found a bowl from a pipe (right) that is quite a rarity, plus lots of fragments of blue and white pottery and hundreds of bones and teeth from animals. One lady found a Georgian button too! For £25 each, it was one of the best things I’ve ever done!”

•www.thames-explorer.org.uk

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Riverside favourite reopens at North Fambridge One of Essex’s best-loved and oldest riverside inns is open for business again following extensive restoration works There are six comfortable bedrooms in an annexe at The Ferry Boat Inn, available for bed and breakfast all-year-round.

The Ferry Boat Inn, Ferry Road, North Fambridge, Essex CM3 6LR Book your table or room online at www.ferryboatinnessex.com 01621 738844

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he picturesque Ferry Boat Inn at North Fambridge has been documented as ‘a very good, substantial Public House’ since 1807, though there are records of a building having been on-site since the 16th century.

Nestled beside the River Crouch and the popular local marina of Fambridge Yacht Haven, the timber-clad inn boasts a colourful and sometimes comical cast of former landlords and patrons. Now a Grade II listed building, it has welcomed travellers on foot, by horse and cart, more recently by car, bike, yacht, and – until the late 1990s – by ferry.

After major renovations in 2021, the inn opened its doors once more to the public as lockdown restrictions lifted. Major interior and exterior refurbishments have added extra space and 21st-century comfort.

The weather-boarded inn is open seven days a week for lunch, dinner and drinks, and there are also six refurbished bedrooms in an annexe, available for bed and breakfast all-year-round. Most importantly, the 16th-century character and charm remains within this much-loved inn.

Visitors will find ample free car parking, electric vehicle charging and visitor berthing for those arriving by boat. The scenic riverside footpath provides the perfect pre-curser to a visit to the inn with views of mudflats and salt marshes which are home to a variety

Fambridge Yacht Haven is suitable for boats up to 16m in length and up to 18 tons. Owners get complimentary use of a floating tender pontoon and seven-day ferry service. There’s even a handy pontoon for easy pick up and drop off of crew and belongings.

of wildlife. The neighbouring Blue House Farm Nature Reserve is an area internationally important for wildlife and a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Visitors arriving by boat can enjoy one of Essex’s most comprehensive boating facilities. It is not hard to see why Fambridge Yacht Haven is commonly referred to as ‘the jewel of the River Crouch’.

The marina is split across two sites: on the riverside is the Yacht Station with access to the marina’s 120 river moorings, visitor pontoon, boatyard and The Ferry Boat Inn; within Stow Creek is the Yacht Haven and the 200berth marina, indoor and outdoor boat storage, 40 ton boat hoist and marina café.

Suitable for boats up to 16m in length and up to 18 tons, owners get complimentary use of a floating tender pontoon and seven-day ferry service. There’s even a handy pontoon for easy pick up/drop off of crew and belongings.

The friendly nature of Fambridge Yacht Haven is likely owing to the fact that most berth holders have been here for many years and have had the time to get to know each other and the staff. Its location means that it’s far more rural than many other marinas, allowing boaters to sit onboard in peace and quiet, rather than being disturbed by the slamming of gates and hum of machinery. It also means that if you need assistance then you don’t have to wait.

Fambridge Yacht Haven, Church Road, North Fambridge, Essex CM3 6LU www.yachthavens.com 01621 740370

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Onboard breakfast, lunch, supper or dinner* cruises using the very best local Suffolk produce.

Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, family outings, corporate entertainment or office parties. Year round sailing. info@rivercruiserestaurants.co.uk www.rivercruiserestaurants.co.uk For further information, please ring Kris or Craig on 07831 698 298 . 01473 558 712 *

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Something to celebrate Suffolk’s popular food-afloat business has several reasons to throw a party

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ivercruise Restaurants offers delectable dining experiences with a difference aboard sister ships that explore some of Suffolk’s most beautiful rivers.

Lady Florence is an ex-Admiralty motor fishing vessel that operates on the rivers Alde and Ore. One of over 1,000 built as supply boats during World War II she has the character and history of a fine wooden ship – there’s even a cosy coal fire in her comfortable saloon!

Celebrating 80 years since she was built in 1942 by the Miami Shipbuilding Corporation in Florida, Allen Gardiner now travels the River Orwell. She was one of 20 identical boats that were used by the South African Air Force during World War II as air/sea rescue launches, responsible for saving the lives of over 600 survivors from the 153 ships sunk by German U-boats and surface craft.

“Twenty years ago, my family bought her in Durban, South Africa and converted her to be a

restaurant boat. And 10 years ago we brought her from Durban to Ipswich,” says Craig Ambury, who co-owns the business with his partner Kris.

“It is also 30 years ago this year that the family bought the 78-year-old Lady Florence at Orford as a boat restaurant... which set the scene for the later expansion with the Allen Gardiner.

“Both boats now operate on two very different rivers in Suffolk, both serving quality home-made meals – and winning the Good Food Award for the third year in a row!”

Lady Florence and Allen Gardiner are each available for exclusive private charter, while individuals who book independently share the experience with others – each vessel carries a maximum of 12 passengers. The price for a threehour cruise is £23.50 per person, payable at the time of booking, and food and drink is an extra to be paid on board, with two courses from £20.95 and three courses from £23.95 •www.rivercruiserestaurants.co.uk

In homage to all things tasty, the Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival takes place this year on September 24-25. This annual event, full of masterclasses, demonstrations, talks, eating, drinking, film premieres and more, is run by a not-for-profit organisation which works year-round to showcase Suffolk producers and businesses and help them gain recognition and awareness from chefs, restaurants and business people all over the country. While the weekend festival is staged at the historic Snape Maltings, fringe events take place throughout the year at various other locations in Suffolk.

•www.aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

First-class facilities for all Woolverstone Marina features a luxury lodge park amid a glorious riverside setting

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Woolverstone Marina’s luxury lodges accommodate up to eight guests, two pets and can be booked via the MDL Holidays website: www.mdlmarinas.co.uk/holiday-parks

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oolverstone Marina is set in 22 acres of glorious parkland overlooking the picturesque River Orwell. It is part of MDL Marinas, Europe’s leading marina operator, which has 19 sites across the UK. The marina also features an on-site luxury lodge park, specially designed to extend Woolverstone Marina’s appeal as a destination for both on-water and land leisure pursuits, as well as attracting new visitors seeking a family-friendly retreat.

Kelly Sharman, Marina Manager, says: “The lodges are ideal for those looking for a taste of the outdoors with a touch of luxury. With their clean, modern aesthetic and open plan living space, they provide accommodation for up to eight guests. All of our lodges have spacious living and dining areas and woodland balconies plus free Wi-Fi, and SMART TVs. “We have a wide variety of lodges including some petfriendly accommodation and will be expanding this year due to popular demand.”

The marina has 235 pontoon berths, numerous swinging moorings, first-class facilities block, a diesel pontoon and electric vehicle charging points. There is ample storage ashore for trailer sailors plus numerous gear stores available to rent Woolverstone Marina offers pontoon berths, swinging moorings, easy-access slipway and trailer sailing packages as annual, monthly and overnight options giving you the ultimate flexibility to enjoy your boat. There is also a

Woolverstone is a family-friendly destination for leisure pursuits both on the water and on land

main Volvo Penta dealer on-site, as well as an electronics and engineering specialist, a brokerage, a boat detailing specialist and a sail repair and cover manufacturer.

“Visitors can enjoy a great range of watersport activities, including an RYA-accredited sailing school for both sail and powerboat courses,” adds Kelly.

“For those who like to keep their feet firmly on dry land there is a children’s play area, and beautiful walks and cycling trails nearby that are suitable for all ages.

The Loch & Quay bar and restaurant, which is open to berth holders, visitors and the general public, is a wonderful place to relax and unwind, with stunning views out across the water.”

Woolverstone is an excellent base for cruising as well as enjoying the local rivers. Beyond the Orwell and the Stour there are numerous creeks in the Walton Backwaters to explore. To the south, the Colne and Blackwater estuaries offer varied sailing, while turning north takes you along the coast to the River Deben, where leisure sailors can cruise upriver past Ramsholt to the pretty town of Woodbridge. A little further up the coast is the Ore/Alde River, where a fast tide sweeps past Havergate Island, on to picturesque Orford and then to Aldeburgh.

If you’d like to go further afield, Ostend in Belgium is only 92 miles from Woolverstone, whilst Holland and France are also within easy reach.

•www.woolverstonemarina.co.uk

Woolverstone Marina, Woolverstone, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 1AS 01473 780206 woolverstone@mdlmarinas.co.uk www.woolverstonemarina.co.uk @MDLWoolverstone woolverstone.marina

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Former warship offers a warm welcome Seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients and a scenic riverside setting make for a delightful food and drink destination

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alk along the River Deben from Woodbridge to Wilford Bridge and you’ll reach Melton Boatyard, home to the Deben Café Bar on HMS Vale. The ex-Navy warship arrived here four years ago (above) and today offers a platform for all to gather and share salty tales.

HMS Vale’s journey from Norwich (where she was HQ for the city’s Sea Cadets) was far from straightforward, but now settled into her mooring she has become a popular destination, offering spectacular views over the river Deben, across the saltings and beyond towards the protected grounds of Sutton Hoo, where birds can be observed and deer can be seen grazing on the foreshore.

“Owning an ex-warship was not on my bucket list” says owner Cate Meadows, “but now we have her, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Our local community has been wonderful – their support and encouragement have been more than we could’ve possibly imagined. And we are so lucky to be at Melton Boatyard, who have supported us from the outset; their warm, encouraging and supporting spirit keeps us going.

“Food choices are our passion,” says Cate.

“We believe that when eating and drinking with friends and family there should be something for

everyone. Our menu changes with the seasons and we source fresh ingredients as much as possible; supporting local business is at the heart of Deben Café Bar. Our food is freshly prepared in our own ship’s galley. We make our own popular meaty sausage rolls and scones every day, which are at their very best straight out of the oven.

“Next time you are out for a walk, do pop in and see us. Dogs are welcome on board; in fact we have become quite a doggy destination!”

Melton Boatyard is at the end of Dock Lane, Melton – conveniently located between Melton and Woodbridge railway stations, many people choose to get off at Woodbridge and enjoy a walk alongside the river wall, with Deben Café Bar a welcome break along the way. Vehicular access is permitted only by prior permission from the boatyard, but for boaters, future plans include a visitor’s mooring and even a floating pontoon to provide access from the water.

• The restoration and development of HMS Vale is an ongoing project – follow her on Facebook ‘Deben Café Bar on HMS Vale’ or ‘HMS Vale aka TS Lord Nelson’, or at www.debencafe.co.uk

New options at Levington

Retired Light Vessel LV87 is a familiar port of call for sailors both visiting and permanently berthed in the marina at Suffolk Yacht Harbour on the River Orwell. The Lightship is the HQ of Haven Ports Yacht Club and offers full bar and dining facilities, along with a friendly setting in which to unwind after a day on the water.

A more recent addition to the 550-berth marina is Harbourside Kitchen, a cosy café with outside terrace that is the ideal pit stop for walkers as well as boaters. Serving freshly-made breakfast and lunch options, scrumptious cakes, home-made bakes and barista coffee, Harbourside Kitchen also stocks cheese, bacon, bread, milk and other seasonal items; visiting yachts can pre-order a box of essentials in advance of their arrival.

•www.harboursidekitchen.co.uk

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e m i T ON THE WATER ENJOY

12-MONTH BERTHS FROM

£393 PER METRE*

AT CHATHAM MARITIME MARINA Nestled on the River Medway in Kent, Chatham Maritime Marina is a perfect base for exploring, with many secluded anchorages perfect for lazy lunch stops. You’re spoilt for choice on land too, with a multiscreen cinema, an outlet shopping complex and a variety of restaurants and bars nearby.

• Range of annual berthing and short-term packages • Accessible at all states of the tide through a lock entrance** • Next to the Historic Dockyard Chatham • Within easy reach of London and Bluewater shopping centre • Otium Reward points every time you buy MDL services - GET BACK up to 5% on your berthing fees - GET BACK up to 17% on fuel - GET BACK up to 20% on visitor berthing - GET BACK up to 22% on boatyard services * Price for a 10m boat on the Berthing Plus Otium package ** Some restrictions may apply to vessels exceeding 1.5m draft

GET A QUOTE TODAY!

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T: E: W:

01634 899200 chatham@mdlmarinas.co.uk chathammaritimemarina.co.uk

Immerse yourself in history Explore an incredible seabed find at Chatham’s award-winning tourist attraction

he Historic Dockyard Chatham – which last year won the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for the tenth year running – is this year host to an exciting maritime archaeological exhibition that takes visitors as close to the seabed as possible while staying in dry dock.

In partnership with the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the immersive exhibition ‘Diving Deep: HMS Invincible’ tells the story of HMS Invincible, her capture, the contribution she made to the British Royal Navy and ship design, and her subsequent sinking and rediscovery 200-plus years later.

One of the Royal Navy’s most famous ships, the original Invincible was a Georgian war ship, built by the French Navy in 1744. Captured by the British Royal Navy at the battle of Cape Finisterre in May 1747, she was immediately sailed to Portsmouth Naval Dockyard where they measured every inch of her. Her special design, unique lines and 74-gun capacity were copied and her Class became the backbone of the Royal Navy’s fleet right up to the end of the sailing navy and the beginning of the age of steam, starting with HMS Valliant built at Chatham.

In February 1758 the ship ran aground in the Solent. The crew spent several days trying to re-float her but in the end had to give up and begin to salvage anything of value. After her

Michael Pitts

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demise, Invincible became a forgotten national treasure, lying at the bottom of the Solent for over 260 years. However, in May 1979, fisherman Arthur Mack caught his nets on a ‘fastner’ – an underwater obstruction just off Hayling Island.

Over the next few weeks Arthur returned with John Broomhead to investigate what had caught his nets. At first John thought they had found an old, washed out pier but they soon realised that this obstruction was HMS Invincible.

Archaeological excavations began on her in the 1980s and continued from 2017-2019. Many things found on Invincible look almost brand new as they have been preserved in the mud that lies »

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Michael Pitts

underneath the layer of shifting sand at the bottom of the Solent. In 2019, the archaeologists recovered one of Invincible’s giant ropes that hold up the ship’s main mast – it’s the only original, completely preserved main stay from this period in the world.

Thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players, the Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust (MAST) and Bournemouth University were able to begin excavations again in 2017 and, in partnership with the National Museum of the Royal Navy and Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, ‘Diving Deep: Invincible 1744’ brings Invincible’s incredible story to life.

Nick Ball, Collections, Galleries and Interpretation Manager at Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust says: “Originally, a ‘nippy’ French warship, ‘L’Invincible’, was a game-changer who even influenced the subsequent design of the world’s most famous warship – Admiral Nelson’s HMS Victory, built here at Chatham.

“The maritime archaeology project to excavate the famous ship was probably one of the most important of its kind since the raising of the Mary Rose. The story of the excavation itself is extraordinary as it was a race against time and tides.”

The exhibition also tells the story of the series of calamitous events that saw the Invincible sink beneath the waves. Visitors will learn about the trial of Kent seaman Captain John Bentley, and his court-martial for the sinking of the Royal Navy‘s favourite ship. Artefacts on show include wig curlers (so that the Captain could stay coiffered on his journey to America), 18th-century sailors’ shoes – including one pair with what can only be described as kitten heels – and rope still smelling of the tar painted on it in 1758.

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Located next to MDL’s Chatham Maritime Marina, the Historic Dockyard Chatham is a great choice for a family-friendly day out. Attractions include Cold war submarine HMS Ocelot, WWII Destroyer HMS Cavalier and Victorian Sloop HMS Gannet.

Centuries-old skills are recreated in the iconic Ropewalk, and the site is also recognisable from its TV and film appearances in productions including Call the Midwife, The Golden Compass, Les Misérables and Sherlock Holmes.

•www.thedockyard.co.uk

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Midsummer fun on the Sunrise Coast

A weekend of events offers something for everyone… all within an award-winning, golden sands setting

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owestoft is Britain’s most easterly town, so its beautiful beach is the ideal location for an event that celebrates twenty-four hours in the life of the midsummer sun.

The First Light Festival took place for the first time in 2019 on Lowestoft’s South Beach, Kensington Gardens and Promenades. Conceived as part of the vision for the cultural regeneration of the town, the festival sought to reframe how people see Lowestoft; the unique non-stop, 24hour programme with free access and over 160 free events attracted more than 30,000 people.

This year First Light Festival focuses on the 24 hours between midday on Saturday June 18 and midday on Sunday June 19, and features a programme inspired by the themes of time, tide and the elements. The fun kicks off with a preweekend warm-up, Friday on the Beach, which includes a pop-up cinema, feast on the beach and club night at Lowestoft’s stunning Victorianastyle East Point Pavilion, the promenade’s most prominent structure.

There’ll be lots going on across the festival site, with the Sunlight Stage the centrepiece of it all.

To launch the festival, a parade of banners will wind its way along the promenade to this location

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for a rousing, large-scale community singalong.

This gives way to around-the-clock revelry with a line-up that includes music from bands, classical musicians and DJs such as international drum and bass DJ LTJ Bukem, and British jazz legend Andy Sheppard.

To welcome dawn there will be premiere performances: new music by revered composer Christopher Gunning, and contemporary musician Nic Pendlebury’s new electric viola piece. Choral singing will also greet sunrise, and the winner of a new music contest, in partnership with BBC Introducing, Wild Paths and Catch 21 Records, will perform on the stage later that morning.

In the build-up to daybreak, people can create Nordic-inspired solstice garlands and lanterns in workshops. The Wellbeing in Waves programme offers yoga, a drum circle, ecstatic dance, hand massage and meditation. Then, the sky will burst into colour with a mass kite-flying community event, First Kite, which embraces the natural elements.

There’ll be two sporting challenges to start the Sunday too – the ROC Coastal Trail is a half marathon for runners and walkers, and the ROC Coastal Sportive is a cycling challenge with two

distance options: a 100-mile or 50-mile course.

Additional weekend attractions include the Fishers Gin Beach Club – a 24-hour spot for drinks, dancing and music throughout the festival – and the First Word Theatre Tent, which promises the best in spoken word, theatre, comedy and story-telling.

Festival Director Genevieve Christie says: “We can’t wait to see everyone enjoying the sunrise before anyone else in the country, whilst enjoying a programme curated with a sense of renewal and reconnection.” And Wayne Hemingway, cofounder of Hemingway Design which heads up the festival, adds: “As a free festival within reach of hundreds of thousands of people it really adds some lightness in these uncertain times, where international travel isn’t attractive to many and climbing living costs are impacting on people’s disposable incomes.”

The majority of First Light Festival events are free but tickets and an entry fee applies to a few.

Wild camping and campervan pitches will be available on South Beach on Friday and Saturday nights, with prices starting £40 per night for a four-person tent.

•www.firstlightlowestoft.com

Ness Point in Lowestoft is the most easterly point in the UK – marked by a large metal plate on the ground, it’s close to ‘Gulliver’ – officially the tallest wind turbine in the UK – and OrbisEnergy, a state-of-the-art eco-building that hosts a range of renewable energy companies.

For a more remote setting in which to watch the sun rise, head to the beach at Benacre or further south to Shingle Street, where the Martello Tower makes a good vantage point. Orford Quay is another favourite location… if the early start leaves you with an appetite you can fill up on a cruise aboard Lady Florence, an experience not to be missed.

•www.rivercruiserestaurants.co.uk

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Photographs: Mykola Romanovsky

Temporary sculptures will mark special moments in the 24-hour timeline. These include Alexander Costello’s beach cairn; Arthur Harries’ new Skylon-like Spike installation which will light the night sky; Nick Ball’s big interactive ‘orbs’, John Christie’s giant bicycle wheel sculpture and Pakefield Man by Tobias Ford (below).

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The Swallowtail Restaurant and Bar is situated in Burnham Yacht Harbour and with its full height sliding doors has stunning views of the marina and River Crouch.

The large open balcony has an amazing new canopy which means you can enjoy alfresco dining no matter the weather.

We are open 7 days a week.

We welcome visiting groups, functions and families and our friendly staff will make it their aim to give you a truly memorable experience.

Please call us on 01621 785505 or visit our website: www.swallowtailrestaurant.co.uk Foundry Lane, Burnham on Crouch, CM0 8BL

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Slowly does it

Aficionado and author Chris Scott explains the appeal of the ultimate in access-all-areas adventure: packrafting » TheCoastalGuide 2022

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f you enjoy exploring wild places, a packraft will be a game-changer. That’s the claim from Chris Scott, author of Packrafting: A Beginner’s Guide, who says: “Once you’ve embraced the full potential of packrafting, you’ll look at the outdoors with completely new eyes.”

Sounds good… but what’s it all about? “A boat that’s genuinely portable yet robust and easy to paddle – it transforms the way you approach outdoor adventures,” says Chris. “The clue’s in the name: you can pack up your raft in minutes, hike or cycle for hours or days, then reinflate effortlessly at the water’s edge before paddling onwards.”

At a glance, a three-kilo packraft may resemble a cheap vinyl beach toy, but it’s the durable fabric and hand-made construction that puts these boats in a class of their own. This enables higher pressures: the key to a responsive boat and an enjoyable paddling experience that won’t end with a hiss on brushing past a twig. “There are some compromises – if you’re hoping for a nippy glorified kayak, you may be disappointed,” Chris warns. “On flat water packrafts are relatively slow and easily affected by winds.” Above all, it’s the places you can access which sets packrafts apart from other watercraft. Plus, paddling is a lowimpact way of enjoying the outdoors.

“In the world of paddle boats the packraft occupies a tiny enthusiasts’ niche,” says Chris, who last year published Inflatable Kayaking: A Beginner’s Guide. “Though it’s how I came to it, the crossover between inflatable kayaks (IK) is slim because, while they’re as convenient to store and transport, the lightest decent IK weighs three or four times more than a packraft. And compared to IK users, packrafters are a different bunch too: more active and maybe even adventurous, they’re more likely to have come from a backpacking or mountain biking background than kayaking or canoeing.”

At first sight a packraft on the water is not particularly arresting: a rotund mini-raft that doesn’t so much knife through the water as bob along in the breeze. What does capture the imagination, however, is seeing the same boat easily carried under one arm, or rolled up and lashed to a backpack or around a paddle shaft in a couple of minutes before the user heads off into the wilds on foot or by bike. The compact nature of a packraft makes it ideal for transporting on board a yacht or motorboat too – it won’t take up much locker space, but will grant greater access to the East Coast’s wildlife-filled creeks and rivers.

Packrafting, it seems, is an ideal embodiment of the current trend for slow travel… if you’ve kayaked before, you’ll find that a packraft is slow

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and has zero glide in comparison. “Longer boats are faster and packrafts are the shortest boats around. A blunt, yawing bow doesn’t help, so no matter how hard you paddle you won’t exceed a hull speed of 3mph/5kph (that’s 2.6 knots),” says Chris. “A sea kayak can cruise at twice that.

“So yes, some packrafts are slow but, up to a point, speed is relative. Alone, you’re as fast as you are.”

If speed isn’t inducing the adrenaline rush, then, what is… a risk-factor?

“The dangers of packrafting are common to all paddlers: losing control of, or contact with, your boat due to strong currents, unmanageable hazards or fierce winds and waves, then not having the gear, skills or support to save yourself,” explains Chris. “Time has shown that fears of sudden catastrophic deflation are unfounded. On fast-moving rivers, currents combined with perils like weirs, fallen trees and thundering rapids have seen fatalities. In this setting, entrapment has proved a particular risk. On open water it’s waves caused by strong winds or tidal races that result in capsize and separation; the opposite of entrapment.

“Is it possible to enjoy packrafting without taking risks? In my experience, absolutely. The key is recognising your limitations – especially if alone – and knowing when to revise the plan.

“Realistically, day trips are what’s manageable in a packraft, and short ones at that. The wind chooses the day and the tide may govern the time. Until you know better, avoid spring tides on exposed shores unless you understand how they can help you on a one-way paddle. It’s far better, though, to use a packraft to explore intimate nooks and crannies just a short distance from your put-in.”

Getting started Compared to other paddle sports, packrafting is still very much a cottage industry so you’re unlikely to see one, and far less a selection of brands at an outdoor sports outlet. Prices start from £330, although double that and your options widen… but in the end, your choice might just be down to colour, price and availability.

A packraft like the Alpacka Yak is made from around ten sections, sometimes sewn then heat welded together to make the single hull chamber which is glued or welded to a thicker floor sheet.

Supple TPU is the fabric of choice – where ‘rubber meets plastic’ with minimal elasticity for taut inflation, but some ‘give’ against sharp impacts.

PVC is a cheaper, heavier alternative, commonly found on East European boats. It’s stiffer when cold – good on the water; less good to roll up compactly.

Packrafts are laboriously assembled, even if laser cutting, sewing and heat-welding rigs simplify things. This explains the high prices.

The Yak has typical packraft dimensions: a length-to-width ratio of around 2.4:1 means slow hull speeds but excellent primary stability – a big plus for first-timers. While it’ll be a squeeze, a boat like this will support two small adults if needed, and will still float above water, even when full of water. Some boats are symmetrical front to back, most have longer sterns to effectively position the paddler more centrally (and reduce whitewater back flips), while upturned bows ride over waves. An inflatable seat base raises you up for a good paddling posture, helped by a backrest resting against the cockpit or suspended from straps.

Stay safe • Rivers flow fastest midway between the banks and round the outside of bends. Rapids occur where a riverbed steepens, drops down a step or is partially chocked, kicking up aerated waves (‘white’ water) and eddies.

Assessing such hazards is all part of establishing your comfort level. Raised water levels (from rain or dam releases) speed up currents which can either smother gnarly rapids or make them much more challenging as the water’s force gets multiplied exponentially. Scouting ahead on foot is a vital part of running rivers, whatever the grade. A recce enables you to figure out a line through a complex rock garden, or spot any possible entrapment hazards like fallen trees.

• Fast currents and inattentiveness can sweep you into fallen or semi-submerged trees; one of the biggest hazards to river paddlers. Known as ‘strainers’ (as in ‘sieves’), they less commonly include jumbled boulders or a metal grill across a sluice.

• Dodging overhanging branches is more common, especially on the faster line around the outside of a bend. If it’s too late, don’t crouch forward and, above all, resist the impulse to grab a branch; you’ll be pulled from your boat. If you can’t avoid low boughs, slide forward, lean back and protect your face with your paddle. If you fall in, swim on your back with feet first and raised up.

• Even though you’ll see stand-up paddle boarders and rowers in all sorts of craft not wearing them, get in the habit of always wearing a PFD (personal flotation device). Nervous beginners in tippy hardshells don’t need much persuasion because, once capsized, these boats are very difficult to drain and remount from deep water without help. By comparison a packraft is exceedingly stable on flat water and easy to flip back upright and re-enter without help, either by dipping down and launching upwards and over with your arms, kicking with all you’ve got, or doing the same coming from the side. If nothing else, the half-millimetre of TPU that keeps your single-chamber boat afloat ought to concentrate the mind because, falling out of any boat, cold watershock can temporarily paralyse your breathing and drown you in minutes, while your packraft gets whisked away by the wind. The buoyancy a PFD provides in these traumatic moments of panicked gasping helps keep your head up so you don’t swallow water.

Packrafting: A Beginner’s Guide is published by Fernhurst Books in paperback at £10.99. Crammed with ideas, hard-won knowledge, tips and safety advice to show you how to get started, it’s an excellent starting point for anyone whose interest is aroused.

•www.fernhurstbooks.com Chris also offers lots more information and advice on his website: •www.inflatablekayaksandpackrafts.com.

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Marine Products for Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul With over 12,000 products, we are able to provide you with the parts you need, ASAP

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Home to Deben Café on HMS Vale

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Melton Boatyard Dock Lane Melton Woodbridge IP12 1PE 01394 386327

Here at Melton Boatyard we pride ourselves on good, honest service. We are down to earth and, in a boating world increasingly full of shiny paint and expensive solutions, refreshingly straightforward. This is a traditional working boatyard, and we are proud of it.

Our 30-berth marina is modestly priced and our floating berths stay full all summer, although we can usually accomodate short-term requests by moving our own small fleet to free up a berth. Long-standing customers become our friends and many have been here for years. Customers tell us they appreciate our friendly service, relaxed attitude and open approach.

We are able to store 100 boats ashore, can offer mud berths on request, and offer membership to Deben Bar, our licensed club house located in The Engine Room of HMS Vale.

Steel fabrication & repairs • Grit, sand & bead blasting • Mechanical & electrical engineering • Full yard services • Lay-up and lifts to & from transport • 40t lift, up to 75’ loa, 17’5 beam

info@meltonboatyard.co.uk www.meltonboatyard.co.uk

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Know-how, everywhere Key names from the world of watersports offer their advice and expertise in a new format… and it’s free to access!

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font of knowledge on all water-based activities, Fernhurst Books has created a Knowledge Centre that gives users access to free content online.

Filled to the gunwales with book extracts, author videos and other material, the Knowledge Centre allows enthusiasts to explore their chosen activity, learn from experts and discover new information. Useful checklists and templates are included too – particularly handy for onboard use where bookshelf space may be limited.

Drawing on the knowledge and expertise of Fernhurst’s 40 years of experience in watersports publishing and bank of 100-plus authors, the Knowledge Centre offers more than 250 items: watch videos of Sir Ben Ainslie sailing or Tom Cunliffe talking about navigation, read extracts from Sir Robin KnoxJohnston or weather expert Simon Rowell, or

gain nuggets of information from navigation guru Paul Boissier or Olympic coach Jon Emmett. There is also material from key names in other watersports, including John Bantin on diving, Paul Newsome on swimming, Alf Alderson on surfing, Simon Bassett on SUP, Peter White on power boating, Paul Knight on fishing and Chris Scott (whose latest book is featured on p67 of this edition) on kayaking. There are ‘test yourself’ sections too, with downloadable questions and answers on subjects such as COLREGs, plus step-by-step instructions on essential know-how such as knots and whipping.

Free to access and easy to use on tablets and mobiles as well as desktop computers, a drop-down search menu allows you to select the topics and type of material you want to explore.

•www.fernhurstbooks.com

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BOOKS &

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xplaining why the coast is the way it is, and how it’s sustained, Coastwise is a wonderful, weighty tome that will be equally at home on both bookshelf and coffee table. Author Peter Firstbrook, marine scientist, sailor and documentary-maker, highlights the links between geology, oceanography and biology, first explaining how the coastline functions and exploring the forces of nature that continue to create its physical features. Further sections cover the plants, animals and other organisms that keep the coast alive and healthy, and how humans have used the coast for defence, commerce and leisure. A final section gives a region-by-region rundown on where all the features described can be found and enjoyed.

Described as a ‘practical love letter to Britain’s waterfront’, this book is one you’ll want to settle on the sofa with, share with younger readers and, above all, dip in and out of time and again.

•www.fernhurstbooks.com

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riter, surfer, environmentalist and serial campervan owner Martin Dorey, author of the Take the Slow Road series, takes readers Off the Beaten Track with this first in a new series of adventures away from the bustling holiday hot-spots we’re all familiar with. Packed with photos, maps and some beautiful illustrations, this book will make a great travel companion whatever your preferred means of transport. £20.

•www.bloomsbury.com

Pat Manley’s Diesels Afloat won high praise when it was first published 15 years ago; now updated by course lecturer and merchant ship’s chief engineer Callum Smedley, it explains how to prevent problems, troubleshoot and make repairs safely. Detailing everything from how a diesel engine works to engine electrics, from fault-finding to winter lay-up, it covers the syllabus of the RYA Diesel Engine and MCA Approved Engine Course 1.

Keep it on board and you can be confident in dealing with problems and getting the best performance from your boat’s engine... you could save money on yard work too! £18.99.

Previous editions have sold over 6,000 copies – now Pat Manley’s Essential Boat

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BUYS E

ssential instant reference books, the Skipper’s Cockpit Weather Guide and Skipper’s Cockpit Navigation Guide make sometimes-complex subjects easily understandable. With clear photos, step-by-step diagrams and lots of real-life examples, they’re printed on splashproof paper and spiral bound so they lie flat – an ideal resource to keep on board while other books stay in the warm and dry at home.

The perfect primers for those new to navigating, or a handy aide-memoire for those with prior experience – skippers and crews of all levels will love them. £12.99 •www.bloomsbury.com

Electrics has been updated by Oliver Ballam – a face familiar to Suffolk yachtsmen for his work with Seapower Marine Electronics. Removing the mystique of electrics, this book gives boat owners the confidence to undertake jobs properly and safely, with tutorials, trouble-shooting tips and tasks such as choosing solar panels and batteries. £16.99.

Both titles are part of Fernhurst Books’ Boat Maintenance Guides series.

•www.fernhurstbooks.com

Couple a sleek waterproof wallet with a compact card holder (above) and your cash, cards and keys will be secure and protected when you’re on or in the water. Use the included arm strap or add a waist strap attachment for multiple ways to keep your valuables close. The wallet, 100% waterproof with a quick-drying outer layer, can be fully submerged to a depth of 3m. Made from high quality elastic and Vegan-approved faux suede, the card holder holds up to 10 cards across three divided sections, with two hidden pockets for notes, coins and keys.

Latest prices on the website: •www.submergewallets.com

Lost or discarded net and fishing debris is a ubiquitous sight on the shore – the number one item collected by beach cleaners, it contributes up to 46% of plastic in the world’s oceans and has a lifespan of decades. Waterhaul collects and recycles these high quality plastics to produce sustainable, recycled eyewear that meets the technical demands of adventure, ocean-exposure and UV protection, with mineral glass lenses from Italy that are substantially more scratch- and impact-resistant than many of their competitors. The turquoise ‘seaglass’ colouration of the Harlyn Aqua frame (above), £60, is entirely derived from the original netting and has no additional pigments or dyes. Also shown (below) is the wrap-frame Zennor, £75. Prescription lenses are available (for an additional fee) in all Waterhaul frames, which are covered by a ‘Recycle and Replace’ lifetime guarantee.

•waterhaul.co

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HKing ECEG Ad 140 x 94 (3/3/20).qxp_Layout 1 03/03/2020 17:36 Page 1

A family run traditional boatyard offering a reliable, honest and friendly service.

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HARRY KING & SONS LTD Pin Mill, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 1JN. T M E W

01473 780258 07714 260568 or 07867 640650 info@kingsboatyard.co.uk www.kingsboatyard.co.uk

Sail Arthur Ransomeʼs Nancy Blackett

We do mean to take you to sea – or maybe just a trip down the River Orwell!

W

hat better way to enjoy the beauty of the River Orwell than aboard the yacht so closely associated with it – Arthur Ransome’s own Nancy Blackett? Ransome lived here, sailed here, wrote here, and most famously set the opening of his classic chlldren’s story We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea here.

Nancy Blackett inspired the book and features in it as the Goblin. So sailing aboard her has that extra dimension of voyaging into the world of unforgettable fiction as well as discovering the peace and beauty of this real river, most of which has hardly changed since Ransome sailed it over 80 years ago.

He bought the 28ft four-berth cutter, which he renamed after one of his best-known characters, self-styled pirate Nancy Blackett of Swallows and Amazons fame, in 1935 when he and his Russian wife Evgenia were moving into the area, from the Lake District, in search of

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some sea sailing. He found her in Poole Harbour and sailed her round to Pin Mill through some atrocious weather, which helped give him the idea for the book. “I felt very young and inexperienced,” he said of this reintroduction to yachting.

Nancy is now managed by the Nancy Blackett Trust, which was set up 25 years ago to look after her, following her rediscovery – derelict in Scarborough Harbour in the 1980s – and an extensive restoration.

Our aim, still, is to make her available for anyone – old, young or in-between – to enjoy a sail and experience the feel of being aboard the Goblin. A short, skippered day trip down the Orwell is an ideal family introduction – children sail free.

If you’ve always wanted to feel the thrill of your sails harnessing the wind – or the peace of a quiet drift down the river on a summer’s »

espected sailor and writer Peter Willis is founder and President of the Nancy Blackett Trust, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. His book Good Little Ship explores the themes of Ransome’s rite-of-passage novel We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea, and how it came to be written. Part maritime history, part literary criticism – a joyous homage throughout– it’s an impeccably-researched tale of the life, near-death, rescue and restoration of the Nancy Blackett and a thoroughly engrossing read, whether you’re a lifelong lover of Ransome’s works, or discovering them for the first time. Photographs add life to the story, while Ransome’s drawings and own account of a voyage in her – as well as brief details of his other boats – mean this is a must-have for lovers of both boats and literature.

Good Little Ship is published in paperback by Lodestar Books, £14.

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afternoon – this is a safe and accessible way to do it, enhanced by the magic of experiencing it aboard a piece of maritime and literary history.

Enjoy an al fresco lunch at anchor, miles from civilisation, or the cosy atmosphere of dining in the mahogany-panelled cabin lit by oil lamps before turning into your bunk to be rocked gently to sleep.

For more adventurous sailors with some experience, overnights and weekends in the Walton Backwaters (made famous in Ransome’s Secret Water) or passages up the coast to the Deben, or down to London, and further (Holland, even!) are options.

All our sailing is under the charge of a qualified volunteer skipper; membership of the Trust is needed, but the modest annual subscription covers the whole family – and children sail free.

Ransome actually wrote two books featuring the Goblin while he lived here; the second is Secret Water, set in the Walton Backwaters. He loved the area, and would sail down there in Nancy to drop anchor for a bit of peace and quiet to work on his next book.

The Backwaters may be a bit less ‘undiscovered’ now than they were in Ransome’s day, but they still have an air of mystery and isolation, with a silence punctuated only by birdsong. They’re a favourite destination for Nancy Blackett crews.

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Nancy Blackett is 28ft 6in long, plus the 10ft bowsprit. She’s been painstakingly restored to make sure she is just as Ransome would have known her, and as the Goblin is described in the book: “I say, just look down,” said Titty. They looked down into the cabin of the little ship, at blue mattresses on bunks on either side, at a little table with a chart tied down on it with string… a little white sink opposite the tiny galley where a saucepan of water was simmering on one of the two burners of a little cooking stove.

She welcomes visitors on various open days throughout the summer, at Woolverstone and elsewhere, so come and see her and find out more about how this humble Hillyard 7-tonner became one of the most famous boats in fiction. And if you’d like to sail her yourself, just join the Nancy Blackett Trust; it’s not expensive, and you can book a day-sail or a longer passage.

If you’d like to sail into ‘Secret Water’ aboard Nancy Blackett – or anywhere else on ‘Arthur Ransome’s East Coast’ for that matter – take a look at our website and get in touch. And don’t forget, children sail free!

•www.nancyblackett.org

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Pulling (and pushing) together Shared experiences cement friendships and create communities, both on and off the water

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etting out on the water can be a great way to get away from it all, escape the stresses of everyday life and enjoy some ‘me’ time. But even the most introverted of enthusiasts will find some fun in comparing notes, sharing skills and spending time with other like-minded folks… the fact is, quite simply, that experiences are more memorable when they’re shared.

That’s certainly the ethos behind East of England Paddlesports (EOEPS), which started life on social media in 2017 and has since grown into a tight-knit real-life community complete with its own merchandise, events programme and qualified instructors.

Now supported by a website as well as social media platforms, EOEPS was founded by Oli Jordan, who lives on the Essex coast. Oli spent 12 years working as an outdoor activity instructor around the world, and creating EOEPS began as his way of staying connected to the outdoor industry and making new friends. He has several »

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paddleboards, inflatable and solid, several kayaks and a canoe.

“Whether you’re an experienced paddler, a complete newbie, or simply looking to make new friends and find new places to explore, East of England Paddlesports is for you,” says Oli. “Since 2017 we’ve gained over 10,200 Facebook group members, been awarded the Active Essex ‘Active Club of the Year 2021’ award and organised several events throughout the UK and Europe.

“We’ve also given away multiple prizes through various competitions, connected local communities throughout the East of England, shared discounts, product reviews and recommendations with members, created branded merchandise, raised money for charities and organised local litter picks.”

• If you’d like to know more, look for East of England Paddlesports on Facebook (the group is on Instagram and YouTube too) or log on to: www.eastofenglandpaddlesports.co.uk.

EOEPS organises events all over the country, but Oli says these ten locations are among his East Coast favourites: • Mersea to the Strood (when the road is flooded it cuts Mersea Island off from the mainland) • Mersea to Tollesbury • Dedham to Flatford • Cattawade to Flatford • Nayland to Wissington Weir • Brightlingsea Harbour • Harwich Lighthouse • Heybridge Basin (the Maldon Loop) • Bures • Rowhedge “This year we are organising several ‘away’ trips,” he says, which include destinations such as the Norfolk Broads, North Wales, France and the Dudley Canals.

“We welcome absolutely everyone to the group, on all craft – we encourage members to try out as many different craft as possible, and even organise several British Canoeing courses throughout the year,” he adds.

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Situated at the mouth of the River Blackwater, Essex, TSL’s natural marina provides yacht moorings, boat & mast lifts, winter storage and local access to associated services. Great for sailing too!

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Hardstanding area Hauling & Launching Access to our maintenance posts Access to water and electricity Located just 15 minutes from the A12 Coded Toilet and shower block for customer use only Private parking Recycling, rubbish and chemical wash out facilities Local chandlery, tea room and other amenities

Range of half-tide berths available Join our friendly, welcoming community

Visitors welcome - find out more, visit

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MARINAS & MOORINGS

Brightlingsea Harbour

Tollesbury Saltings

Titchmarsh Marina

Bradwell Marina

Burnham Yacht Harbour

Tollesbury Marina

Blackwater Marina

Maylandsea

blackwater-marina.co.uk

Bradwell Marina

Bradwell

bradwellmarina.com

Essex

Brightlingsea Harbour

Brightlingsea

brightlingseaharbour.org

Brightlingsea Marina

Brightlingsea

brightlingseaharbour.org

Burnham Yacht Harbour

Burnham-on-Crouch

burnhamyachtharbour.co.uk

Essex Marina

Wallasea Island

essexmarina.co.uk

Fambridge Yacht Haven

Fambridge

yachthavens.com

Ha’penny Pier

Harwich

hha.co.uk/leisure/mooring/

Heybridge Basin

Heybridge

01245 226245

Leigh Marina

Leigh- On-Sea

leighmarina.co.uk

Leigh-On-Sea Sailing Club

Leigh-On-Sea

leighsailingclub.org

Royal Corinthian Yacht Club

Burnham-on-Crouch

royalcorinthian.co.uk

Stour Sailing Club

Manningtree

stoursailingclub.co.uk

Titchmarsh Marina

Walton Backwaters

titchmarshmarina.co.uk

Walton Yacht Basin

Walton on the Naze

waltonyachtbasin.co.uk

West Mersea Yacht Club

West Mersea

wmyc.org.uk

Wivenhoe Sailing Club

Wivenhoe

wivenhoesailingclub.org

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Medway Bridge Marina Family-owned Medway Bridge Marina, located beneath the Medway Bridge in Rochester, has an unrivalled reputation for service and professionalism. For more than 40 years we have catered for motor cruisers of all sizes, with services including lift-out, scrub-off and hard standing.

Our floating pontoon berths are accessible at all states of the tide – finger berths accommodate craft up to 9m (30ft) and alongside berths can cater for larger vessels. We also have a pontoon with berths that are accessible for half the tide – usually 4 hours either side of High Water. All berth holders are entitled to discounted fuel, free parking and have 24-hour access to their boat as well as the toilets and shower facilities.

We offer: • Up to 25-ton boat hoist • Storage ashore • CCTV at entrance to site • Security gate access to the pontoons • Fresh water and electric at every berth • Waste facility • Toilet and shower facilities • On-site engineers marine engineers and electricians In addition, our Flexible Mooring Scheme allows annual berth holders, by prior arrangement, to take up to three months holiday with their craft and add the amount of time they are away to their 12-month agreement – this means you can enjoy up to 15 months mooring for the price of 12!

Medway Bridge Marina is also home to Medway Bridge Marina Car Sales, and has a storage compound for up to 90 caravans and motor homes. For any enquiries, please email Sam Dallas Marina Manager: sam@medwaybridgemarina.co.uk

www.medwaybridgemarina.co.uk

Medway Bridge Marina Ltd, Manor Lane, Rochester, Kent ME1 3HS • 01634 843576

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MARINAS & MOORINGS

Wells Harbour

Chatham Maritime Marina

North Kent Allington Lock

Allington

allingtonlock.co.uk

Allington Marina

Allington

allingtonmarina.com

Chatham Maritime Marina

Chatham

chathammaritimemarina.co.uk

Conyer Creek Marina

Sittingbourne

conyercreekmarina.co.uk

Cuxton Marina

Rochester

cuxtonmarina.com

Elmhaven Marina

Rochester

elmhaven-marina.co.uk

Gillingham Marina

Gillingham

gillingham-marina.co.uk

Margate Harbour

Margate

portoframsgate.co.uk

Medway Bridge Marina

Rochester

medwaybridgemarina.co.uk

Medway Pier Marine

Gillingham

01634 851113

Port Medway Marina

Cuxton

portmedwaymarina.co.uk

Queenborough Harbour

Queenborough

queenborough-harbour.co.uk

Royal Ramsgate Marina

Ramsgate

portoframsgate.co.uk

Swale Marina

Conyer Creek

swalemarina.co.uk

The Embankment Marina

Gravesend

theembankmentmarina.co.uk

Gallions Point Marina

River Thames

gallionspointmarina.co.uk

Hermitage Community Moorings

River Thames

hermitagemoorings.org

London

Imperial Wharf Marina

River Thames

imperialwharfmarina.co.uk

Limehouse Marina

River Thames

aquavista.com

South Dock Marina

River Thames

020 7252 2244/07950 805509

St Katharine Docks

River Thames

skdocks.co.uk

Wells-next-the-Sea

portofwells.co.uk

Norfolk Wells Harbour

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The UK’s leading yacht refit & repair facility 95 years of experience in yacht refit, repair & restoration

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MARINAS & MOORINGS

Tidemill Yacht Harbour

Shotley Marina

Woolverstone Marina

Fox’s Marina

Suffolk Felixstowe Ferry

Felixstowe

07803 476621/01394 270106

Fox’s Marina

Ipswich

foxsmarina.com

Ipswich Haven Marina

Ipswich

ipswichhavenmarina.co.uk

Lowestoft Haven Marina

Lowestoft

lowestofthavenmarina.co.uk

Neptune Marina

Ipswich

neptune-marina.com

Orford Quay

Orford

01394 459950/07528 092635

Ramsholt

Ramsholt

07930 304061

Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club

Lowestoft

rnsyc.net

Shotley Marina

Shotley

shotleymarina.com

Slaughden Sailing Club

Aldeburgh

slaughdensailingclub.co.uk

Southwold Harbour

Southwold

01502 724712

Suffolk Yacht Harbour

Levington

syharbour.co.uk

The Royal Harwich Yacht Club

Woolverstone

royalharwichyachtclub.co.uk

Tide Mill Yacht Harbour

Woodbridge

tidemillyachtharbour.co.uk

Waldringfield Moorings

Waldringfield

waldringfieldsc.com

Woolverstone Marina

Woolverstone

mdlmarinas.co.uk

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Join the club

There are many unique experiences to enjoy on the varied waters of the East Coast… and plenty of sailing clubs offering a safe and supportive way to help you get started

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ailing brings an unrivalled sense of freedom, along with the joy of being close to wildlife and a pure adrenaline rush when the wind picks up and the boat hums in tune with the waves.

If you’re thinking about getting into sailing, your first consideration is how and where, and often this question will be resolved with one answer – a sailing club. It’s a great place to start, with a community of like-minded sailing enthusiasts with plenty of experience and encouragement on hand. There is a lot of choice, with some 2,000 clubs across the UK and a significant number of these on the East Coast, but it can be daunting to know where to start. One of the really special aspects of sailing on the East Coast is that each club brings a unique offering to a prospective member, so the first thing you might want to think about is what you want from your sailing experience – is there a particular type of sailing that you are attracted to?

For example, if you’re looking to get into big boat sailing and offshore yacht racing, you’ll usually be looking at a club based on the sea off the East Coast, whereas on the other hand, if you’re looking for a more sedate leisurely sail, you might consider an inland lake or Broad, or

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something in the middle. Clubs may cater for both smaller dinghies or bigger yachts, or one or the other, so this is something to bear in mind. There are also considerations in terms of whether the club is coastal (bear in mind this may be tidal, which may mean that the times of activities vary according to the tides), on rivers (which may mean that there is river traffic to contend with), or lakes (which can be sheltered).

It’s also important to consider what you’re looking for a club to provide.

Do you wish to undertake formal training, or learn more informally with experienced members? If formal qualifications are a desire, you’ll want to look for an RYA Recognised Training Centre. Those which are particularly geared up towards activity for young people will be RYA OnBoard Clubs, part of the RYA’s children’s sailing and windsurfing programme which offers youngsters the opportunity to try watersports through their local club or centre in a safe, fun and structured environment.

Alternatively, if you are looking for your child to progress through the racing pathway, you may look for a British Youth Sailing Recognised Club.

This programme celebrates clubs that allow junior

sailors to develop their sailing and racing skills, and encourage young sailors at grassroots level to stay in the sport. The RYA’s Sailability Programme is ideal to inspire disabled people to go boating and reduce the barriers people face to getting on the water.

You might also want to think about opportunities to get involved in volunteering (is it a volunteer-run or staffed club), what the learning opportunities are (one-off courses, regular club nights, crewing opportunities, women on the water groups, etc) and whether the club has diversified activities – for example, many have now branched into broader water-based activities including canoeing, rowing, paddleboarding and even model yacht racing, which can appeal to different members of the family. Clubs are friendly places for all – whether it be a person attending alone or a family group.

Of course, it’s easy to think that it’s all about being on the water, but being part of a club is so much more than that. The social aspect of sailing is really important and is one of the main reasons why individuals remain part of clubs – building

friendships and shared experiences. It’s a great idea to visit a few clubs, and there are plenty of Discover Sailing and Open Days (see p11) planned for this summer to help you get a feel for clubs and what they can offer.

And it’s never too late to learn – despite having lived close to the water in Brightlingsea for 60 years, it was only when she was in her 70s that Carol Eldridge took the plunge and, encouraged by friends, attended a Discover Sailing day at Colne Yacht Club. From that moment, she was hooked and has thoroughly enjoyed the experience, not just learning to sail, but learning about maintenance of boats too – even trying paddleboarding and enjoying being close to wildlife, having seen porpoises, seals and birds from the Essex Coast. To anyone thinking about trying sailing, she says: “Just give it a go – it’s got to be on your bucket list. If you don’t try it, you won’t know how much you love it.”

• For a list of clubs you might consider joining, see p93. And to find out about Discover Sailing events this summer visit www.rya.org.uk/startboating/discover-sailing

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TheCoastalGuide 2022

Snettisham Beach Sailing Club History, heritage, and a unique location

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nique on the Norfolk Coast because it has both an inland lake and open sea available, Snettisham Beach SC is a busy, friendly West Norfolk club with a great history, an unrivalled reputation for running top events and training, all on an exciting tidal stretch of The Wash.

The club is one of the leading watersports clubs on the East Coast, with family-friendly, multi-level dinghy fleets, wind and kite surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking and a busy social club.

We also have a radio controlled model yacht section. We are home to multiple National and European class champions and we run organised social sailing activities alongside a friendly but competitive racing programme. For racing the location is always exciting, with every day bringing new conditions from wind and tide.

The club boasts excellent facilities including a concrete launching ramp, adjacent dinghy and car park, plus a large bar and galley and spacious changing rooms.

• Our west-facing terrace overlooks a beautiful sandy beach – enjoy spectacular evening sunsets

as you sit on the veranda with a drink or a meal.

• With events throughout the season, racing every weekend and bank holiday from March to October – plus social events throughout the year – we welcome visiting watersports enthusiasts and their families. Please check our calendar for details.

• The club hosts a number of Open Meetings throughout the year. In 2022 these include events for RS 2000s and Streakers, plus two days of North West Norfolk Week, six days apart (www.norfolkweek.co.uk) – SBSC was a founding member.

• The junior fleet enjoys its own programme of racing on the lake at weekends and a Wednesday Evening Club, plus sea racing for the more competent sailors. Our Cadet Week for youngster has always been very popular with introducing our junior members. Bookings are now open for our two cadet weeks in 2022, however, due to demand, places are only open to club members.

Still time to join if you want to book a place!

Find out more at www.snetbeach.co.uk Facebook.com/Snetbeach

SBSC has a dedicated RYA Recognised Training Centre which runs courses for adults and children throughout the season, from April to October. Sailing is a fantastic sport and a great way to relax and unwind with friends and family, so why not make the most of your summer in England and book a course, or arrange some private tuition at a time to suit you? All our courses are bookable on our website www.snetbeach.co.uk or, if you’d like to know more, please email courses.sbsc@gmail.com.

On Sunday 22 May we are running a free club open day which is a great opportunity to visit the club, see our facilities, have a go on the water and make the most of some special offers on courses and membership.

Snettisham Beach Sailing Club, Snettisham Beach, Kings Lynn PE31 7RB 01485 542647 secretary.snett@gmail.com www.snetbeach.co.uk

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Benfleet Yacht Club Open to new members

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ounded in 1922, Benfleet Yacht Club is a large and friendly members-run club located alongside Benfleet Creek, on the northern shore of Canvey Island in Essex.

The club offers great opportunities for all craft – dinghy sailing and coastal rowing mainly take place in the sheltered waters of Benfleet Creek, while for cruising yachts, the Rivers Medway and Swale are just a few hours away, and slightly further afield are the superb cruising grounds of the East Coast rivers. For a great summer cruise, Benfleet is within striking distance of the northern coast of France and Belgium and the vast inland waterways of Holland.

Complementing the club’s busy sailing

Low Cost Moorings and Winter Lay-Up available Benfleet Yacht Club offers a large number of tidal moorings for yachts, along with second-to-none on-shore storage for both yachts and dinghies. A range of membership options and a one-off club joining fee are applicable £150), but the club is keen to be affordable for all: it’s possible to keep a 29ft yacht here for less than £625 a year – and that includes haul out, winter lay-up and relaunch! programme and popular Cadet Sail Training Week, a superb clubhouse includes a bar that’s open lunchtime and evenings seven days a week, and there’s an active social and entertainments programme all year round.

Benfleet Yacht Club is well known for organising The Nore Race, a combined open cruiser and dinghy race that covers a 20-mile circuit of the Thames Estuary, starting and finishing at Southend Pier.

Since 2010 Benfleet Yacht Club’s Coastal Rowers have also organised the Round Canvey Race, an annual open event in which rowing, paddling and sailing vessels complete a 14.5 mile circuit of Canvey Island. An eclectic mix of craft have competed to date, with boats from as far as Whitby travelling to take part.

Details of both events can be found on the club website – please check in case of changes due to Coronavirus.

Benfleet Yacht Club, Canvey Road, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 0QT 01268 792278 membership@benfleetyachtclub.org www.benfleetyachtclub.org

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TheCoastalGuide 2022

COASTAL CLUBS

Eyott Sailing Club

Brightlingsea Sailing Club

West Mersea Yacht Club

Essex Alexandra YC

Southend

alexyachtclub.co.uk

Ardleigh SC

Ardleigh

ardleighsc.co.uk

Benfleet YC

Canvey Island

benfleetyachtclub.org

Blackwater SC

Heybridge

blackwatersailingclub.org.uk

Bradwell Quay YC

Bradwell-on-Sea

bqyc.org.uk

Brightlingsea Coastal Rowing Club

Brightlingsea

brightlingseacoastalrowingclub.co.uk

Brightlingsea SC

Brightlingsea

sailbrightlingsea.com

Burnham on Crouch SC

Burnham-on-Crouch

burnhamsc.co.uk

Chelmsford Canoe Club

Chelmsford

chelmsfordcanoeclub.co.uk

Clacton Canoe Club

Clacton-On-Sea

clactoncanoeclub.co.uk

Clacton-on-Sea SC

Clacton-on-Sea

clactonsailingclub.org.uk

Colne YC

Brightlingsea

colneyachtclub.org.uk

Crouch YC

Burnham-on-Crouch

cyc.org.uk

Dabchicks SC

West Mersea

dabchicks.org

Essex YC

Leigh-on-Sea

essexyachtclub.co.uk

Eyott SC

South Woodham Ferrers

eyottsailingclub.org.uk

Gunfleet SC

Holland-on-Sea

gunfleetsailingclub.co.uk

Harlow Blackwater SC

Maylandsea

harlow-blackwater-sailing-club.com

Harwich Town SC

Harwich

htsc.co.uk

Hostellers SC

Paglesham

hostellerssailingclub.org.uk

Island YC

Canvey Island

islandyachtclub.org.uk

Leigh on Sea SC

Leigh-on-Sea

leighsailingclub.org

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COASTAL CLUBS

Harwich Town Sailing Club

Clacton-on-Sea Sailing Club

Walton & Frinton Yacht Club

Benfleet Yacht Club

Essex Maldon and Dengie Canoe Club

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Burnham-on-Crouch

madcanoeclub.co.uk

Maldon Gig Rowing Club

Maldon

maldongigclub.org.uk

Maldon Little SC

Maldon

mlsc.org.uk

Marconi SC

Southminster

marconi-sc.org.uk

Maylandsea Bay SC

West Maylandsea

maylandseabay-sc.org.uk

Mersea Island Rowing Club

West Mersea

mersearowingclub.org.uk

North Fambridge YC

North Fambridge

nfyachtclub.co.uk

Rowhedge Coastal Rowing Club

Rowhedge

rowhedgecoastalrowingclub.teamapp.com

Royal Burnham YC

Burnham-on-Crouch

rbyc.org.uk

Royal Corinthian YC

Burnham-on-Crouch

royalcorinthian.co.uk

Southend Canoe Club

Southend-on-Sea

southendcanoe.org.uk

Stone Sailing Club

Southminster

stonesc.org.uk

Stour SC

Manningtree

stoursailingclub.co.uk

Thames Estuary YC

Southend-on-Sea

teyc.co.uk

Thorpe Bay Yacht Club

Southend-on-Sea

tbyc.org

Thurrock YC

Grays

thurrockyachtclub.org.uk

Tollesbury SC

Tollesbury

tollesburysc.com

The University Community SC

Brightlingsea

ucscbrightlingsea.com

Up River YC

Hullbridge

upriver.org.uk

Wakering YC

Rochford

wakeringyachtclub.org.uk

Walton and Frinton YC

Walton-on-the-Naze

wfyc.co.uk

West Mersea YC

West Mersea

wmyc.org.uk

Wivenhoe SC

Wivenhoe

wivenhoesailing.org.uk

TheCoastalGuide 2022

COASTAL CLUBS

Medway Yacht Club

Erith Yacht Club

North Kent All Hallows YC

Rochester

allhallowsyachtclub.net

Conyer Cruising Club

Whitstable

conyercc.org.uk

Erith YC

Erith

erithyachtclub.org.uk

Gravesend SC

Gravesend

gravesendsailingclub.co.uk

Hampton Pier Yacht Club

Whitstable

hpyc.org.uk

Hollow Shore Cruising Club

Whitstable

hollowshorecc.org

Herne Bay SC

Herne Bay

hernebaysailingclub.co.uk

Hoo Ness SC

Rochester

hooness.org.uk

Hundred of Hoo SC

Rochester

hundredofhoosailingclub.org

Isle of Sheppey SC

Sheerness

iossc.org.uk

Lower Halstow YC

Lower Halstow

lhyc.org.uk

Medway Cruising Club

Gillingham

medwaycruisingclub.org.uk

Medway Watersports Trust

Gillingham

medwaywatersports.co.uk

Medway YC Lower

Upnor

medwayyachtclub.com

Queenborough YC

Queenborough

queenboroughyachtclub.co.uk

Rochester Cruising Club

Rochester

rochestercruisingclub.co.uk

Royal Temple YC

Ramsgate

rtyc.com

Sandwich Sailing and Motor Boat Club

Sandwich

ssmbc.co.uk

Segas SC

Gillingham

segassailingclub.co.uk

Strood YC

Rochester

stroodyachtclub.jimdo.com

Tonbridge Town SC

Tonbridge

tonbridgesailing.org

Whitstable Yacht Club

Whitstable

wyc.org.uk

Wilsonian SC

Hoo

wilsoniansc.org.uk

Docklands Sailing & Watersports Centre

Isle of Dogs

dswc.org

Greenwich YC

Greenwich

greenwichyachtclub.co.uk

London

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COASTAL CLUBS

Snettisham Beach Sailing Club

Hunstanton Sailing Club

Norfolk

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Blakeney SC

Blakeney

blakeneysailing.co.uk

Brancaster Staithe SC

Brancaster Staithe

bssc.net

Coldham Hall SC

Surlingham

coldhamhallsailingclub.co.uk

Dereham Canoe Group

Swanton Morley

derehamcanoegroup.co.uk

Gt Yarmouth & Gorlestone SC

Gorleston-on-Sea

gygsc.co.uk

Hickling Broad SC

Hickling

hicklingbroad.com

Hickling Windsurfing Club

Hickling

hicklingbroad.co.uk

Horning SC

Horning

horning-sailing.club

Hunstanton SC

Hunstanton

hunstantonsc.co.uk

King’s Lynn Coastal Rowing Club

King’s Lynn

klcrc.club

Norfolk Broads School of Sailing

Acle

norfolksailingschool.co.uk

Norfolk Broads YC

Wroxham

nbyc.co.uk

Norfolk Punt Club

Barton Broad

puntclub.co.uk

Norfolk School Sailing Association

Filby Broad

nssa.co.uk

Northern Rivers SC

Acle

nrscsailingclub.com

Ouse Amateur SC

King’s Lynn

oasc.co.uk

Snettisham Beach SC

King’s Lynn

snetbeach.co.uk

Snowflake SC

Horning

sfsc.co.uk

Wells SC

Wells-next-the-Sea

wellssailingclub.co.uk

Wensum Ospreys Canoe Club

Fakenham

wocc.org.uk

Whitlingham Adventure

Norwich

whitlinghamadventure.org.uk

Yare SC

Norfolk

yaresailingclub.org.uk

TheCoastalGuide 2022

COASTAL CLUBS

Deben Yacht Club

Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club

Aldeburgh Yacht Club

Royal Harwich Yacht Club

Suffolk Adastral Park SC

Ipswich

adastralsailing.org.uk

Aldeburgh YC

Aldeburgh

aldeburghyc.org.uk

Alton Water

Stutton

altonwater.co.uk

Beccles Amateur SC

Beccles

becclesasc.co.uk

Deben Rowing Club

Woodbridge

debenrowingclub.co.uk

Deben YC

Woodbridge

debenyachtclub.co.uk

East Suffolk Wakeboard & Water Ski Club

Felixstowe

eswsc.co.uk

Felixstowe Ferry SC

Felixstowe

ffsc.co.uk

Fox’s Marina YC

Ipswich

fmyc.org.uk

Haven Ports YC

Levington

hpyc.com

Iken Canoe Club

Aldeburgh

ikencanoe.co.uk

Ipswich Canoe Club

Ipswich

ipswichcanoeclub.org.uk

Ipswich Rowing Club

Ipswich

ipswichrc.org.uk

Kessingland Sea Sailing Club

Kessingland

kessingland-seasailingclub.uk

Lowestoft Cruising Club

Lowestoft

lowestoftcruisingclub.org

Lowestoft Rowing Club

Oulton Broad

lowestoftrowingclub.org.uk

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COASTAL CLUBS

Southwold Sailing Club

Woodbridge Cruising Club

Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club

Waldringfield Sailing Club

Suffolk

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Orwell YC

Ipswich

orwellyachtclub.org.uk

Oulton Broad Water Sports Centre

Lowestoft

oultonbroadwatersportscentre.co.uk

Pin Mill SC

Pin Mill

pmsc.org.uk

Royal Harwich YC

Woolverstone

royalharwichyachtclub.co.uk

Royal Norfolk and Suffolk YC

Lowestoft

rnsyc.net

Shotley Point Yacht Club

Shotley

shotleypointyc.org

Shotley SC

Shotley Gate

shotleysailingclub.co.uk

Slaughden Sailing Club

Aldeburgh

slaughdensailingclub.co.uk

Southwold SC

Southwold

southwoldsc.org

St Edmundsbury Sailing & Canoeing Ass

Bury St Edmunds

westsuffolksailing.org.uk

Waldringfield SC

Woodbridge

waldringfieldsc.com

Waveney & Oulton Broad YC

Oulton Broad

wobyc.com

Waveney Sailability

Lowestoft

waveneysailability.co.uk

Woodbridge CC

Woodbridge

woodbridgecruisingclub.org

TheCoastalGuide 2022

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