Tag: Annie Meadows

Dave McCabe and Vigilant

February 22, 2013 / / 0 Comments

Friend and Face-book Fiend Annie Meadows high lights a nice piece of video available from BBC News covering the rebuild of SB Vigilant down in the South West by boat builder Dave McCabe. It’s on http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-21525933 if you fancy a look. It’s only a few minutes long but shows some nice rebuild shots. It even includes some clinking pawls (and regular readers will know how much I love that noise!). Dave says that he intends to actually use the barge, once restored to try to move some cargo about, perhaps potatoes. I did smile though as at one stage the sprit-pole winching results in a huge baulk of timber swinging against the wale with a resounding clunk – I suspect Dave would have prefered they edit that bit out.

Westmoreland model 220213

Meanwhile in our own ‘barge building’ – the model sized version of SB Westmoreland currently being constructed by Dave and Tony Brooks, Dave has the following update. “The model continues to move forward. With the hull practically complete we have started to move up. The mainmast is now in place and the iron work almost complete. We fitted the jackstay tonight which was quite intricate work. We also worked on the Sprit. Fitting the muzzle, and preparing the Stanliff. We are hoping to be able to hang the sprit next week”.

Thanks for the update, Dave

Griff Presents…..

August 1, 2012 / / 0 Comments

Griff Rhys Jones presents trophies at Thames Match 2012, here to Richard Tichener, Skipper of Cambria; photo by Dave Brooks.

In a nice touch at the Thames Barge Match after-race celebrations, the trophies were presented by Griff Rhys-Jones. This pic is our man Richard Tichener collecting some of Cambria’s and sharing joke with Griff, but I have also seen nice ones of Jeff Gransden (SB Edith May)

A quick reminder of those lectures on board Cambria while she is at Gravesend.

Cambria is currently on Gravesend Pier and will be open to the public.
Also on Wednesday aboard Cambria Richard Hugh Perks is talking at 3.30pm and 7.30pm about the Evolution of the Thames Sailing Barge. price £4.
Thursday same times Tricia Gurnett will be talking about the RNLI. price £2.
Friday there are talks at 11.30 am and 3.20pm on the Thames and Medway Canal. price £2.

AND finally, Annie Meadows from SB Kitty tells me that there is a Maritime Festival on at Ipswich in a couple of weeks, where at you can take a cruise on the Orwell River on board Kitty. “Orwell Cruises”, she says, ” during Festival on board “Kitty” built 1895. sailings are at 1000-1300 and 1400-1700

Adults £20, children £12

Sat Aug 18 & Sun Aug 19 2012 AVAILABLE

Ipswich Maritime Festival

Mighty Oak Brewing

July 11, 2012 / / 0 Comments

Mighty Oak Brewing banner; Picture by Annie Meadows of SB Kitty

Cambria turns dray-man! For a bit of fun, Sea Change Sailing Trust have linked up with Mighty Oak Brewing, the brewers of the “Captain Bob” brand of beer, which we have featured on this blog previously to make some deliveries from Maldon to coastal and waterways pubs. Annie Meadows of SB Kitty fame has managed to capture the spirit of the event in this picture which shows a superb banner created to link the Cambria Trust, Sea Change and Mighty Oak. Excellent banner, guys! In “Cambria Watch” meanwhile, Hilary Halajko is experiencing internet problems (Bob Roberts never complained of that, Hilary!) so is reduced to texting. “Into Maldon with Cambria this evening for victualling and tomorrow for loading ale from Mighty Oak for distribution to some of their coastal outlets over the next week or two. This is part of our first extended YSS voyage on the east coast this summer.
We will also be carrying in depth information courtesy of Drinkaware to ensure a balanced view.” Richard Tichener, I know, keeps a ‘dry’ ship, so don’t go thinking all this beer will be drunk by the crew en route. Dave Brooks adds “Cambria continues her tour of the East Coast with our friends from Sea Change. Hilary reports that loading went well. (Captain Bob Beer from the Mighty Oak Brewery). They are leaving Maldon tomorrow at 7am and are bound for Brightlingsea.”

Fair winds, Cambria!

Annie Meadows

July 6, 2012 / / 1 Comment

Annie Meadows Pin Mill pic

I was asked by a non-bargin’ chum the other day on Facebook what was the difference between a smack and a barge. I had no sooner answered him than this lovely picture hove into view which showed very well to the guy what I had just said. It was taken and posted by one Annie Meadows who turns out to be a Maldon local and associated with the SB Kitty. She was good enough to let me borrow the shot to use here, so thank you for that, Annie. We can presumably all spot Repertor as the closest barge and Dave B was able to identify the others, but not the smack. Unfortunately I have deleted the mail in which Dave did so, so perhaps he’ll come in as a comment and tell me again?