Faversham Community Boat Build

Build a Boat! Row a Boat!

A local community discovering boat building and rowing on creeks and rivers! See Facebook: Faversham Community Boat Build .

Children and adults from the age of 12 to 87 are enjoying the hands-on experience of building beautiful wooden rowing boats in an historic building in Faversham. Last week, we commenced building our fourth St Ayles skiff, a five -man, traditional styled rowing boat. These pretty boats are 22 feet long and were designed by Iain Oughtred who based them on the Fair Isle skiff. They look like Viking ships!

30 people are currently on the building team. They come for two hours during the day or after school, Tuesday to Friday each week. They are guided by me to construct the all -wooden skiffs which come as kits from Jordan Boats. Most participants have no prior experience at all, while a few have basic skills. Soon, hand-tools are being used to cut timber and shape planks, which are then glued together and finally painted to create a smooth finish to glide through the water. There’s pride in the finished vessel as she approaches the big launch day.

Many are now discovering getting on the water in our beautiful skiffs on Faversham and Oare Creeks. This is a totally new experience for most who take part. I hear comments such as, “I’ve lived here for over 50 years but I’ve never seen our town from the water before!”, “It’s so peaceful and calming!”, “I can’t wait to go rowing at the weekend!” or “He’s grown so much in confidence!” .

Personally, I’m totally amazed by the enthusiasm for building and rowing these boats. So long as the water hasn’t iced over, then there’s an ever -growing number who want to get out on the water. It’s wonderful! At the beginning of

Cinque Ports

December last year, we towed our three skiffs, Avocet, Findlay

Macdonald and Lena Reekie , to Norwich to compete in the oldest rowing race in England, The Carrow Cup, in which about 70 rowing boats compete in a 3.9km route on the river which winds through the city. The ladies’ team, all novices, won their class!

December last year, we towed our three skiffs, Avocet, Findlay Macdonald and Lena Reekie , to Norwich to compete in the oldest rowing race in England, The Carrow Cup, in which about 70 rowing boats compete in a 3.9km route on the river which winds through the city. The ladies’ team, all novices, won their class!

There’s no stopping them now! They’re out rowing throughout the year and looking to row on other rivers and creeks, for social rowing too. They’ve even decided to take part in The Great River Race on 16th September. That’s a 21-mile row up the River Thames through the heart of London with 300 other rowing boats! Names are booked already on the skiff we’ve only just started building!

There’s no stopping them now! They’re out rowing throughout the year and looking to row on other rivers and creeks, for social rowing too. They’ve even decided to take part in The Great River Race on 16th September. That’s a 21-mile row up the River Thames through the heart of London with 300 other rowing boats! Names are booked already on the skiff we’ve only just started building!

Rowing is a Community Interest Company (not-forprofit) which was founded in January 2020 and relies upon donations and funding from trusts and grants. Our community project is open to people from all backgrounds, aged from 12 years. We plan to introduce Adaptive Rowing for those who have mobility issues. The wider vision is to inspire and help other towns in the South East of England to start up similar pro jects. Get in-touch!

Alan Thorne, boat builder and speaker

Alan Thorne, boat builder and speaker

Cinque Ports Rowing is a Community Interest Company (not-forprofit) which was founded in January 2020 and relies upon donations and funding from trusts and grants. Our community project is open to people from all backgrounds, aged from 12 years. We plan to introduce Adaptive Rowing for those who have mobility issues. The wider vision is to inspire and help other towns in the South East of England to start up similar pro jects. Get in-touch!

Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust

Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust

SORT is now registered by the Charities Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Following approval by its members at an Extraordinary General Meeting, SORT Limited has been wound up and all its members and assets transferred to the new CIO.

SORT is now registered by the Charities Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Following approval by its members at an Extraordinary General Meeting, SORT Limited has been wound up and all its members and assets transferred to the new CIO.

Kentish River Stour news from Malcolm Hasler

Welcome to the Spring 2023 news of the Kentish River Stour.

I had hoped in this issue to have been writing Part 3 (Plucks Gutter to Grove Ferry) of my journey from Pegwell Bay to Fordwich, but family matters and inclement weather have postponed the next chapter in the saga.

To be honest, since my las t news item boating conditions on the Kentish Stour have not been ideal, with typical winter rain, high tides, high river levels , high flow and strong winds to mention but a few. Most outings and trips ended up being cancelled, not least because of the ch allenges presented to manoeuvre boats on and off the moorings! The river has not looked at its best with high silt levels from water run-off from the fields, debris, and the odd wind -blown tree. Signs of this can all still be seen with flood waters clearly visible in the fields at Sandwich , which recently froze over as overnight temperatures plummeted below freezing.

Recent notable sightings on the river and in the estuary have been a pair of White Storks early in the autumn (possibly visitors from Essex ) and in the last few weeks a beaver in the lagoon at Pegwell Bay. Attempts to capture the beaver by a Beaver Protection Unit were unsuccessful and it is hoped that the animal found its own way back up the river. Reported seal numbers in the estuary have varied on any day from none up to about 100. The Kent Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve at Pegwell Bay is well worth a visit and pleasant walk.

So, as we all look forward to the fast -approaching Spring and Summer, we start to prepare our boats for the cruising season ahead. At the time of writing, I am looking forward to attending the Grove Ferry Boat Club AGM on the 19 th February along with the IWAKES AGM on the 21st February in Maidstone.

On the horizon, future challenges could include possible effects on the Kentish River Stour from the proposed reservoir at Broad Oak. Along with this we have potential changes to the High Speed Train services , with the re-opening of Manston Airport and the Thanet Parkway Station possibly affecting level crossings and bridges between Ramsgate and Ashford. Watch this space, I will be! Here's to an enjoyable and weather friendly Spring and Summer, and safe boating. I can be contacted by email at Malcolm.Hasler@waterways.org.uk

from Brendan

Adur. Little seems to have changed from their previous request to amend the planning permission. Essentially, because the development has cost more than expected, they want to cut back on benefits to the public and build more flats. Clearly, the viability, or otherwise, of a project is not a valid reason for such changes. The ancient public access to the water would be removed, a riverside walk narrowed. IWA and SSG have already objected to these water access related issues. More generally, and out of our remit, the developer would like to (i) reduce the number of parking places to about 0.4 per flat, (ii) greatly increase the number of flats and (iii) fail to s eriously provide for energy related matters.

No information has been made available on a possible slipway upstream of the lifeboat station. Similarly, no plans have been published for providing public access to the river at Stowes Gap.

After 24 years in the role, I am stepping down as IWA's Adur Representative. I would like to thank the many IWA members who have helped me over the years and I will be happy to assist my successor.

Future IWAKES and Other Events

Tuesday 21st February 2023: 7.45 for 8.00pm: St Nicholas’ Church Hall, Poplar Grove, Maidstone. ME16 ODE:

“IWAKES Annual General Meeting” followed by a talk… “IWA moving Forward” by Les Etheridge, IWA National Chairman.

Thursday 30 th March 2023: 7.30 for 8.00pm:

Strood Yacht Club, Knight Road, Strood. ME2 2AH: “Faversham Community Boat Build Project ”: a talk by Alan Thorne of Cinque Ports Rowing.

Saturday 2nd September 2023: “River Cuckmere ” :

Pub lunch in Alfriston followed by walk to Exceat Bridge or the Haven. Please contact Roy Sutton on 01342 317569 to reserve a meal and for rendezvous.

Tuesday 19th September 2023: 7.30 for 8.00pm:

Strood Yacht Club, Knight Road, Strood. ME2 2AH: “SS Shieldhall”: Graham Mackenzie describes this 1954-built, Southampton-based sludge tanker.

Tea and coffee are available at all IWAKES “physical” evening meetings. Entry is free with a raffle to cover costs. All IWAKES events are open to non -members and you are encouraged to bring friends to “physical” meetings or to tell them about “virtual” meetings . Similarly, if you know a local club or society might be interested, please tell them.

Oxfordshire Branch Branch Chairman

It has been a busy winter on the Thames with flooding and freezing, I hope that you have got through the winter. We have arranged the branch AGM to be a Zoom meeting on Wednesday 15th March at 7.30pm. As well as the very short business of the branch AGM we will be able to enjoy a presentation by Marcus Nurton the Chair of Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire (OxSAR)

Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire (OxSAR) are a voluntary Search and Rescue team. One of 34 member teams of Lowland Rescue. They are on call 24/7 to support our partner agencies; Thames Valley Police, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, the Oxfordshire Local Resilience Forum and other Lowland Rescue and Mountain Rescue teams. They number around 70 local people from all walks of life and provide a wide range of specialist services to our partners. Marcus’ talk will explain all of their work with a particular emphasis on their waterborne search and rescue capability using their rescue boats. An email with sign up details will be sent to all members soon. Please do join the meeting and whilst we continue to desperately need more branch members to get involved at whatever level they can to organising branch activities there will be no pressure to do so.

In particular we are looking for someone to take on the role within the branch of keeping an eye on planning applications affecting the waterways as Roger Badger is no longer able to do this. He is kindly continuing as Treasurer. We have also been asked to be more involved in the Banbury Canal Festival and t o send someone to the festival’s organisation meetings. Will you volunteer to help? also been asked to be more involved in the Banbury Canal Festival and t o send someone to the festival’s organisation meetings. Will you volunteer to help? also been asked to be more involved in the Banbury Canal Festival and t o send someone to the festival’s organisation meetings. Will you volunteer to help?

I hope you enjoy spring on the waterways.

I hope you enjoy spring on the waterways.

Photos Courtesy: Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire

I hope you enjoy spring on the waterways.

Photos Courtesy: Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire

Photos Courtesy: Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire

Ian Lindsay , Branch Chair

Ian Lindsay , Branch Chair

Ian Lindsay , Branch Chair

Future Events

Future Events

Future Events

Wed 15th Mar, 7.30pm. By Zoom: IWA Oxford AGM. Including a presentation by Marcus Nurton the Chair of Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire (OxSAR)

Wed 15th Mar, 7.30pm. By Zoom: IWA Oxford AGM. Including a presentation by Marcus Nurton the Chair of Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire (OxSAR)

Wed 15th Mar, 7.30pm. By Zoom: IWA Oxford AGM. Including a presentation by Marcus Nurton the Chair of Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire (OxSAR)

Sat 30th Sept - Sun 1st Oct Banbury Canal Festival

Sat 30th Sept - Sun 1st Oct Banbury Canal Festival

Sat 30th Sept - Sun 1st Oct Banbury Canal Festival

Tooley’s Boatyard Trust

Tooley’s Boatyard Trust

Tooley’s Boatyard Trust

Here at Tooley's we've already started work on this year's Banbury Canal Festival, following the success of last year's. Once again it will be over a whole weekend - Saturday Sept 30th/Sunday October 1st - so put those dates in your diaries now!

Here at Tooley's we've already started work on this year's Banbury Canal Festival, following the success of last year's. Once again it will be over a whole weekend - Saturday Sept 30th/Sunday October 1st - so put those dates in your diaries now!

Here at Tooley's we've already started work on this year's Banbury Canal Festival, following the success of last year's. Once again it will be over a whole weekend - Saturday Sept 30th/Sunday October 1st - so put those dates in your diaries now!

We'll also be starting our ever -popular boat trips in the Dancing Duck from Easter on, so do check our website for details and bookings: https://tooleysboatyardtrust.org.uk/

We'll also be starting our ever -popular boat trips in the Dancing Duck from Easter on, so do check our website for details and bookings: https://tooleysboatyardtrust.org.uk/ And don't forget: the Duck is also available for hire for skippered longer trips - ideal for a special event or a work outing (max. 12 passengers).

We'll also be starting our ever -popular boat trips in the Dancing Duck from Easter on, so do check our website for details and bookings: https://tooleysboatyardtrust.org.uk/ And don't forget: the Duck is also available for hire for skippered longer trips - ideal for a special event or a work outing (max. 12 passengers).

And don't forget: the Duck is also available for hire for skippered longer trips - ideal for a special event or a work outing (max. 12 passengers).

As the Trust looking after our historic “hidden gem” in the heart of Banbury, we are fully involved with the various initiatives affecting the canalside area, which has seen such changes in recent years - mostly positive, it must be said. We are working on some ideas of our own, so watch this space!

As the Trust looking after our historic “hidden gem” in the heart of Banbury, we are fully involved with the various initiatives affecting the canalside area, which has seen such changes in recent years - mostly positive, it must be said. We are working on some ideas of our own, so watch this space!

As the Trust looking after our historic “hidden gem” in the heart of Banbury, we are fully involved with the various initiatives affecting the canalside area, which has seen such changes in recent years - mostly positive, it must be said. We are working on some ideas of our own, so watch this space!

For more information on our boat trips go to: https://tooleysboatyardtrust.org.uk/boat -trips/ .

For more information on our boat trips go to: https://tooleysboatyardtrust.org.uk/boat -trips/ .

For more information on our boat trips go to: https://tooleysboatyardtrust.org.uk/boat -trips/ .

John Madden, Chair Tooley’s Boatyard Trust

John Madden, Chair Tooley’s Boatyard Trust

John Madden, Chair Tooley’s Boatyard Trust

Wilts & Berks Canal

Wilts & Berks Canal

Wilts & Berks Canal

Unfortunately, our much-hoped for progress on the planned M4 crossing has stalled. National Highways, gave us a grant of £44,000 to get some preliminary work done, that work enabled us to apply for the second stage of funding, which we did. Sadly, NH have found themselves unable to fund that stage in the current round of funding. it would have been around £870,000. However, we have been ramping up our

Unfortunately, our much-hoped for progress on the planned M4 crossing has stalled. National Highways, gave us a grant of £44,000 to get some preliminary work done, that work enabled us to apply for the second stage of funding, which we did. Sadly, NH have found themselves unable to fund that stage in the current round of funding. it would have been around £870,000. However, we have been ramping up our

Unfortunately, our much-hoped for progress on the planned M4 crossing has stalled. National Highways, gave us a grant of £44,000 to get some preliminary work done, that work enabled us to apply for the second stage of funding, which we did. Sadly, NH have found themselves unable to fund that stage in the current round of funding. it would have been around £870,000. However, we have been ramping up our fundraising activities of late, so the plan is to ramp them up further with a view to raise a similar or larger amount so we can get this work done ourselves in order to put in a bid for the construction stage, currently estimated at around £1.2 million. Meanwhile, restoration work has resumed at Pewsham, where several locks, a lockkeeper’s cottage, a dry dock and what is thought to be a carpenter’s workshop are in the process of being restored. Last time I mentioned that we had obtained a Lease on two pieces of land; to clarify, the one at Naish Hill is at a peppercorn rent while the Lease at Uffington Gorse is for over 900 years so is to all intents and purposes a purchase. Furthermore, an appeal to Trust members and members of the public raised well over £20,000 towards the total needed of £55,000, the balance having already been raised via our normal fundraising activities. Any further amounts raised will go towards the considerable maintenance needed for these 9 acres of woodland, bordered by the 200 metres of canal which are to be restored.

No end of year is complete without mention of Santa – he was able to join us again on our trip boat Dragonfly, delighting the children (well – their parents anyway) when he remarked how they’d grown since last time!

My last article mentioned a change in CEO that didn’t actually work out, though we learnt some useful lessons from the experience. I am now pleased to say that we have appointed Mike Gibbin as our Volunteer CEO. Mike lives very near the canal line and has already walked several stretches. We look forward to working with him as we progress further with our ambitious project.

Chris Barry Comms Secretary , Wilts & Berks Canal Trust

Boat trips on Dragonfly

Trips last approximately 20 mins. Fares are £4 for anyone aged 2 or over. Trips (depending on season) run at weekends & Bank Holidays, plus Wednesdays during the spring & summer school holidays, from 10.30 am - 3.30 pm and run approximately on the hour and half hour. To book, call (but do not text) the boat team on 07401 220076 or preferably email boat.bookings@wbct.org.uk