News

Mark Rudall and five others headed to Trossachs Pier for the first ‘Sir Walter’s Workweek’. They had a fascinating time and were part of the process to set the iconic Scottish pleasure steamer on course towards steaming once again in the autumn.  Read Mark's comprehensive report on the SBA website here. But she needs more help: is this something for you? If it is, talk to SBA Committee member Adrian Greco who will be delighted to hear from you.

Post AGM news

A big thank you to all who attended this year’s AGM either physically or online - especially those who travelled a long way. For those of you who couldn’t make it then a little news of how things went.

We started with a very successful auction which not only boosted club finances, but also the pockets of members who brought items to sell! Strangest item offered was a Magimix kitchen mixer – not at all sure what this had to do with steam boating, but it went for £2!

We then covered the many developments and initiatives which the club has achieved this last year, followed by Roger Powell, our membership secretary, reporting very healthy growth in new members (19) so far this year which is double that in previous recent years.

Our treasurer, Nigel, said club finances were much reduced from previous, perhaps unnecessarily high, cash balances. The good news here though is that we will finish the year with cash in the bank and the new membership rates (mentioned below) will boost this back to safe levels.

Most know that Kevin Slater has boldly stepped up as our new editor, he reported that all was now in order and that Funnel 192 will shortly be with paid up members together with a free copy of the fascinating new 50 at 50 booklet.

Serious business then followed, centered on two new proposals put to members.

1 An increase in the cost of subs

2 Changes to the Constitution.

After vigorous discussion results were as follows:

1 - Carried by a large majority - 81% in favour. Next year UK subs will be £36 and £44 for overseas. Junior membership remains at £12.

2 – Defeated as the small majority achieved was insufficient to carry the matter to the required postal vote. Constitution changes will now be studied by a subcommittee who will then re-present for members approval in due course.

We closed the meeting with a very informative talk by Peter Green, skipper of SL Alaska.

Happy steaming this year – we have some great events planned for you all!

Tootle Pip

John J

• The UK government recommends wearing masks when attending indoor events

• Bearing in mind the nature of the AGM, it might not be possible for everyone to maintain a distance from others at all times

• We will not have a supply of spare masks and so recommend that you come prepared

• If the school follows its own risk assessment for meetings in the hall, the upper windows will be open and you might want to bring an extra layer as it will probably be colder than the last AGM

• If you are extremely vulnerable or uncomfortable about attending, you are welcome to follow the AGM via Zoom (Link is with AGM documentation on the SBA website)

• If you have any Covid symptoms or just feel unwell, please do not attend the event

• You might consider taking a lateral flow test before attending to help protect your SBA colleagues

An SBA Member, Robin Gibson, has made us aware of a youtube video which has recently been produced in the US.  It's a fine reminder of the amazing preservation and voyage of the Eppleton Hall, well known to the SBA of course as mentioned in Funnel recently.  As he writes "There are a few details of which some pedants like myself may draw breath a little, but overall it's a very good job".  Watch the video on the website.  If the link has expired, go to the media/video page and look under 'Steamboats Abroad'.

This year the Marsh Group Volunteer Award has been awarded to two winners both connected to steamboats. They are the Daniel Adams Preservation Society of Liverpool and the Volunteers and trustees of the Steamship Shieldhall Charity of Southhampton.

The Shipshape Volunteer Award was awarded to the Ship Engineers of the Steam Tug Kerne Preservation Society and 

the Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Chris Heyes of the Steam Tug Kerne Preservation Society for 50yrs of committed volunteering.

Congratulations to everyone and especially to Chris.

There is now an SBA WhatsApp Group.  To find out more and to join if you wish, members can follow this link.

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.)

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.

The SBA has teamed up with BESST (The Boiler and Engineering Skills Training Trust) to produce some training modules.

These Marine Steam Modules have been prepared by a group of experienced marine engineers and experts from the Steam Boat Association, BESTT and Maritime Heritage Trust including Bob Garnett, John Megoran, Mark Rudall, Kevin Slater and Rob van Es who co-ordinated and edited the work. The work is part of the BESTT National Lottery Heritage Fund "Skills for the Future" project to extend syllabus based steam heritage engineering training, whose first marine trainee has recently started at the Windermere Jetty Museum. The modules are aimed at trainees and other new entrants to these topics and don't aim to offer a comprehensive account - references to textbooks and other sources are provided.  The modules will, however, be of real interest to any steamboater; read them at  www.bestt.org.uk/training_plan. 

These syllabus modules are published in draft and comment is welcome. Please forward any comments to: enquiries@bestt.org.uk

Tony Young alerted us to this fabulous instructional video on raising steam on one of His Majesty's Destroyers.

I'll add it to the video library too...