Hi Michael and thanks for update. I will put my hand up and say I haven't paid my membership fee as yet (slap wrists) although this will be addressed this week. (tut tut, I hear you thinking).
I had a super last few days - helping out on the Henry - her hull and stern look really good, and sailing on the Greta both Sunday and Monday. Day job seems rather lack lustre in comparison, but it pays the bills! Keep thinking of the John Kemp book, 'A Fair wind for London' - the office job, an understanding boss and a love for barges. Don't they just get you? Can't wait to get back to Standard Quay.
Did you get my pictures of the Will? She has gone from Otterham Quay so look out for her.
Regards
Paul
Michael Land <thamesbarges@...> wrote:
Hi Paul good to hear from you. Well the AGM:-
A "renunion walk" is outlined for Sun 3rd Sept on Foulness, we have
312 members slightly down on this time last year, but then as was
said reminders went out later. Current a/c has 2635.66 and building
soc. has 10,093.60. The Archives plans to have the Open Day 22nd
July. (hint of a mystery cleb being there). The Deadeye Trophy went
to Catherine De Bont and the Editor of Traditional Boat etc. The 1/2
Model went to Pat O'Driscoll and the workers packing up Dolphin Yard
got the Colindell Trophy. Which reminds me.... Supreme Cement who
have taken back Dolphin have now themsleves been taken over by
Ibstock Bricks. A little snippet that came out from a letter that
Tony Farnham read out that caused me much interest. "Piper's had 3
wooden barges being built when ironpots became popular. One of them
was so advanced that she was acually named "Malcolm Piper" but then
they were broken up".
Derek Coombe is writing his last book. This I understand is
regarding East Anglian and Thames maritime trades.
Richard Smith's book "The Thames Barge In Suffolk" is at the printers
Tony Osler's book "Where yer for" will be on your doormat in around
6 - 8 weeks time.
Topsail may be delayed this year though Richard Walsh is doing his
best but home commitments have a much higher priority. We are very
grateful to Richard as he has had to resign from all his other
committees - we are the only committee he sits on now. And no to put
to fine a point on it..... without him the SSBR are stuffed for
cheap professional publications (apart from the Newsletter). Charles
Traill was very apologetic re the latest Newsletter. It seems that
none of the printing staff checked it. Charles explained that 2 page
articles which should be side by side are now overleaf. Well I could
go on!!
During my lunchbreak I walked up to the gallery near to Leigh
Sailing Club and in there is the badge board from William Cleverley.
Seems the artist was a close friend and neigbour to Fred Cooper....
Michael
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