News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other talks coming up

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

Talks in April (dates to be confirmed)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Filming for programs for next year’s Antiques Show has taken place at two venues connected with the SBA.

Filming took place on board PS Medway Queen on Monday 10th August with a visit from STV, to film for a future episode of The Antiques Road Trip, with presenter James Braxton. James Braxton and the film crew arrived at 14.45pm and after a quick COVID and Ship briefing they set about their task. The Volunteers were filmed carrying out a variety of activities and we expect this to be about a five minute clip within a future episode.

And on the 29^th and 30^th September the whole of the program was filmed at the Windermere Jetty, Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories starting with presenter Fiona Bruce appearing out of the mist on Windermere on SL Osprey. Six of the steamboats based on Windermere were in attendance moored on the jetties to provide a backdrop for the filming and were also filmed steaming around in the area and accompanying SL Osprey on one of her scheduled trips. Unfortunately boats were only able to be present on the Tuesday when Windermere decided to be at her most glorious but on the Wednesday she did her worst, and it was literally a wash out.

Regional  Flag ship Medway Queen was appointed “South East Regional Flagship for 2020” by National Historic Ships UK earlier this year so, on the same day as the AGM, and following a regular Board meeting, the pennant was ceremonially hoisted on PS Medway Queen by our President, The Rt. Hon. the Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC , in the presence of the Mayor of Medway, Cllr. Habib Tejan . This was a much lower key event than we would have liked due to current restrictions, but we were able to include the local media. The guests arrived exactly on time, the weather cooperated (for a change) and a small party proceeded on board. The tide was rising and the NHS- UK ensign flew proudly at the stern of the ship. The TV crew, from ITV Meridian, were ready and Lord West hoisted the Flagship pennant on the jack staff at the bow and pulled the lanyard to unfurl it. Camera s clicked and whirred and we all breath e d a sigh of relief! Lord West said a few words and then he and Mayor Tejan were conduct ed round the ship by Pam Bathurst, MQPS Members hip Secreta ry. They inspected the refurbished Aft Saloon and the Engine room before proceeding back to the Visitor Centre for tea and biscuits. All masked and distance d as necessary of course.

Pictures are in the gallery. Media, Members Photos, Misc.

" Readers of The Funnel may well have noted that the invitation to attend the SBA 50^th Anniversary Event to be held on Windermere in 2021 inadvertently shows a slight confusion of dates.

After much discussion and considering various concerns, the Chairman and Sub-committee have agreed that the Rally will start on Monday 2nd August 2021 and build toward the celebratory weekend.

To clarify - the 50th Rally will commence from Monday 2nd August with a full programme of events followed seamlessly by, from Friday 6th August, the 50th Anniversary Celebrations including the Gala dinner.

This offers a logical flow of events organised by the team headed by Helen Steeple, stream-lining all the administration and planning.

The Windermere community and our particular friends at The Jetty are greatly looking forward to joining with us for what promises to be a unique event and we WILL BE SHORTLY in a position to send out formal details to all interested parties.”

PS Medway Queen has been appointed 'South East Regional Flagship' for 2020 by the National Historic Ships UK and SS Explorer as the Regional Flagship for her area.

Congratulations to them both.

Ian Rutter writes:  

SL Alaska is in trouble with this year’s season a wipe out because of Covid-19.

Peter Green the owner and skipper has set up a Go Fund Me page for donations to keep the vessel in steam. She was built in 1883 at Bourne End and is part of the National Historic Fleet. The first propeller driven boat on the River Thames, originally operated by Salters Steamers and where she still plies her trade as the oldest working passenger steamer. To have the boiler permanently go cold would be tragic.

Details on their website   www.thames-steamers.co.uk   where there is a link and details for donations.

Ian adds: I  have many happy memories of trips when I was the engineer onboard with Derek Brown the skipper. We would often give SBA members a trip for a nominal amount when repositioning after a charter.  Perhaps the SBA Membership can help SL Alaska in return.

Note from editor: the donation link on SL Alaska's webpage may not render correctly on all browsers.  You can go to the donate page directly from here.