News

Hugh Mothersole: an all-round man of steam

Many, like me , will be very much saddened to learn of the death of Hugh Mothersole, a very long-standing member of the SBA who was a brilliant all-round engineer, steamboater, model engineer, steam car enthusiast, boiler inspector and consultant. He was actually the Revd Hugh Mothersole in his role as a non-stipendiary Anglican priest although this aspect of him might not have been known by the many of us who, over the years, bought steam fittings, castings and even entire boats via his business 'HRM Steam'.

Hugh suffered what was effectively a devastating stroke around five years ago which put him into Stoke Mandeville hospital for many many months. Very severely disabled he was eventually able to return to his Essex home where, with great courage and full-time home care, he slowly rebuilt his life, even taking services from his wheelchair. When I last visited him at home in March he had managed to start driving locally again in a heavily modified electric car and was doing well, so to learn that he had died on 19th July after a short hospitalisation for an infection will be a shock to all who knew him and admired his amazing courage and tenacity.

There will, no doubt, be a funeral or other means of remembering his life and achievements and when details are known we will ensure that details are made available. Mark Rudall

Just in case anyone from the SW (or further afield, we don't mind how far you travel to get here!) is reading this before 19th July 2024 I am advertising the fact that we have 1tonne of Fos Y Fran coal coming to Bristol courtesy of the Harbour Master but we also have 1tonne of 'fake' coal courtesy of CPL and only 6 boats attending - bring your boat and load it with free coal, it is not too late to let us know you are coming!

At the request of the SBA Committee, SBA Services Limited (The SBAS) have instigated a new service to allow Overseas Visitors to SBA Events to obtain temporary Boiler Test Certificates from the SBAS.

These will be known as "TISRs" (Temporary Inspection Scheme Reports) and are provided under the normal Boiler Inspection Scheme. They can be valid for up to 60 days, need to be applied for typically 60 days before they are needed.

Such test can be requested via the Scheme Administrator, and you can see the updated booklet (Version 7.08, dated 29th May 2024), which describes the process and charges) on the SBAS pages of the site or download it from here

Malcolm Duckett, Company Secretary SBA Services Limited

Dear all, 

this is just a reminder that booking for "students" ("trainees") is now open for the "Keeping Your Feet Dry III" event on Windermere on Friday 13th September  - you can register via the Event listing (which you should be able to see on the home page). It's only £18 for the day.

Keeping Your Feet Dry III

EVENT DETAILS:

Following the successful Get Your Feet Wet on the River Wey, we have started running similar events on Windermere. This is our 3rd year.

It designed to be inexpensive, will be for a maximum of 16 people and will be highly informative and hands-on, with time on the water and the opportunity enjoy operating small marine steam plants of different kinds.

It's the ideal starting point if you are thinking of getting a steam boat, or just want to know more.

Registration for trainees is now open.

Further information here. A risk assessment is available here.

The handout which will be provided at the event may be downloaded here.

Owners of boats participating (Instructors) please register for the event and complete the event declaration form which can be found here

Remember: this is a public event designed to find NEW or potential steam-boaters, who are not necessarily SBA Members. So while SBA members are welcome to attend, consider telling your friends that this event is happening, and might provide a great introduction to the world of steam boating (and the SBA!)

Best regards

Steam Boat Association of Great Britain

'Stuart Russell's Funeral: We have heard that this will be on Monday May 20th at 3pm in the Oak Chapel at Cheltenham Crematorium. All, of course, are welcome.'

Sadly Stuart Russell died a few days ago. He collapsed after swimming and despite the emergency services attempts they couldn’t revive him.

He was a member from the time in the early 1990’s when he built Momad. At one time he was responsible for international relationships and took his boat to France several times to join the French steamboats on the Rance, the Somme and the Canal du Nivernais. He also took the boat to Germany, Sweden and Scotland. At home the boat(s) were based on the Avon at Sankey Marine. Stuart ran several rallies from there.

Waverley, the World’s last seagoing paddle steamer, has been awarded the prestigious status of National Flagship of the Year by National Historic Ships UK. The award recognises the breadth and geographic coverage of Waverley’s sailings in addition to the extended sailing programme planned for 2024 with a record beating seventy ports and piers included within this year’s cruising itinerary.

The Historic Windermere Steam Launch Shamrock will be featured in The Great Steam Adventure on Chanel 5 at 8pm this coming Friday 3rd May.

There is still time to register and join us for the St George's Day Parade on Tuesday 23rd April at Windermere Jetty Museum and a few spaces available for the Steam@theLift event at the Anderton Boat Lift, Cheshire 10th-13th May.

Information for both these events are on the  Events Page of the Website.

There are some slightly adjusted draft accounts now on the website on the Events page/2024 AGM