Frequent contributor, Friend and barge/sailing book author Nick Ardley emails me this superb link saying “Just thought I’d email you this. There is a section of film of the 1964 Southend barge match on following web site:www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/500 It can be found on the webs search facility if this doesn’t work.
What is interesting is all the ‘baggy’ sails, un-stretched stay sail luffs and hotch potch of repairs (May Flower – especially) and a sprinkling of new sails. Edith May doesn’t yet have her ‘Veronica’ spars: that came later – see, May Flower A Barging Childhood – her cross trees are in ‘correct’ place! The other thing is: Marjorie, May and Edith May are the only barges still sailing from that fleet. The May Flower was referred to as the May of 1888 in the intro! The stuff about May Flower taking time to get round first mark is all guff too: my father retired after being run down by the Venture … just prior to the start!
Enjoy.”
Today’s picture is a nice one of Dick Durham at the wheel of Cambria taken by Dave Brooks.
Dick Durham

Dick Durham, last mate of Cambria in trade, at the wheel. Picture by Dave Brooks.