Tag: Gravesend (Page 1 of 2)

Another Chance to Sail

Just in from Dave Brooks on Facebook

“Cambria will be leaving Gravesend on the 9th Sept at 5.00 am in the morning to travel up to St Katharine Dock. There are a limited number of places priced £75.00. Travel up the Thames and a chance of seeing some of the Tall Ships. Email Cambria Trust for further details on CambriaTrustSecretary@live.co.uk”

A bit short notice and a nice early start for you, but get in touch if you fancy it.

The barge will be in St Katharine Dock over the weekend of 13th/14th September and open to the public with lots of we helpful volunteers to show you around. Please drop in if you are free.

Dave also tells me that the 2015 Calendar will soon be ready and for sale. Watch this space.

More Detail on that AGM

Basil Brambleby

Basil Brambleby assists with lowering the gear. Picture by Maggs Kelly.

I have some more detail around the AGM in January as follows.

Annual General Meeting

To be held on Saturday 18th January 2014 at 1200

At London River House, Royal Pier Road, Gravesend, DA12 2BE

 

AGENDA

1. Welcome and Apologies

2. Adoption of the Agenda

3. Approval of the Minutes of the 2013 AGM held on 21st April 2013

4. Chairman’s Report

5. Operations Manager’s Report

6. Treasurer’s Report

7. Adoption of the 2012/2013 Annual Report and Accounts

8. Appointment of the Reporting Accountant for the financial year ending 31 March 2014

James Ruddock-Broyd, FCA, the current Reporting Accountant has indicated his wish to stand down but it is proposed that he be re-appointed until his replacement has been agreed.

9. Election of Directors

To elect Guy Peto to serve as a Director following his appointment by the Board on 2nd November 2013. He retires at this AGM in accordance with paragraph 29 of the Articles of Association.

The following Directors, having resigned in accordance with paragraphs 24 and 25 of the Articles of Association are eligible for re-election if willing:

Rob Bassi

Basil Brambleby

Frank Spice

 

10. Special resolution to approve the changes in the Trust’s objects and powers as agreed at the previous AGM and subsequently approved by the Charity Commission:

Memorandum of Association existing Clause 3 to be replaced by:
3. (a) To advance the education of the public as to the historic and cultural role of Thames sailing barges in the seagoing heritage of Great Britain including making available Cambria for the purpose of the instruction of all classes of boys and girls, students and other young and/or disadvantaged persons in the principles of discipline, loyalty and good citizenship by means of educational cruises and instruction in seamanship;
3. (b) to preserve and maintain in good condition the Thames sailing barge Cambria for the public benefit as part of the heritage of Great Britain;
Memorandum of Association existing Clause 4.(1) (a) to be replaced by:
4.(1) (a) to raise funds. In doing so, the Charity shall comply with any relevant statutory regulations.
11. Any Other Business
B J Brambleby, Hon. Secretary 10th December 2013

Our man, Boss of Volunteers, Basil is pictured above in this rare shot of him taken by Maggs Kelly of St Katharine Dock fame (above)

These AGM details will also be emailed to everyone on our current list as soon as I have had a chance to update the emailing list on that email account.

 

Date for Your (2014) Diary

2013 gear down

2013 gear down, Photo by Basil Brambleby

Our gear is down. I have these nice pics from Boss of Volunteers Basil. You can see that the bowsprit is now inboard (left of pic), the mainm’st and topm’st are lowered within their tabernacle and propped aft by the main horse, while the mizzen mast drops forward and is leaning on a prop by the crab winch near the photographer. The smaller spars (mizzen gaff, mizzen boom and the tops’l headstick) are stashed below decks along with huge piles of sails and ropes. It is a big job but now it’s done, its all down and we can get at everything for servicing, stripping and repainting, oiling or varnishing. We are obtaining our own poly tunnel to keep out the weather while we work.

 

Meanwhile, a date for your shiny new 2014 diaries, that’s the Cambria Trust AGM on Saturday 18th at the same venue as this year, London River House in Gravesend at 12:00 noon. Please do attend if you can make it. It is the members’ and subscribers’ main chance each year to hold the Trustees and ‘Management’ to account, to give them good feedback if you like or don’t like how the barge is being used and run or you simply have suggestions for how we could do things differently.  It is also a good chance to ‘network’ and meet plenty of other barge-folk, to chat and yarn

 

2013 gear down 2

2013 gear down 2; photo by Basil Brambleby

Finally, I am on a mission to bring our e-mail ‘mailing list’ up to date. We have apparently failed to send the normal email to everyone advising them that there is a new newsletter. I will obtain a list from our Membership Sec (Cathy Chapman) and compare it to the list of users on the CambriaTrustSecretary account and sort out any discrepancies. I will then send an email to everyone and see what replies we get. In the mean time if you suspect that your email address is not on the list or it is incorrect, please email to CambriaTrustSecretary@live.co.uk including your real name.

 

Thank you for that. Have a good run in to Christmas.

Longstay

An interesting picture today from Boss of Volunteers, Basil accompanied by the following write up.

Cambria's longstay

Cambria’s longstay, rigging by John Barber; Picture by Basil Brambleby.

Basil writes that, “John Barber, since retirement from PLA has worked as a volunteer at Chatham Maritime demonstrating ‘Rigging Skills’ with special emphasis on wire splicing to the many Dockyard  visitors . As you will all
know, he undertook the splicing of Cambria’s rigging for her
restoration as part of this demonstration work.
Now Cambria is in commission he helps out as one of our volunteers as well.
The photograph shows a splice which he has just put in to the end of
Cambria’s longstay; to date she has been sailing with a temporary fix.
Last year he visited the barge at Gravesend to help us rig a whip to
the end of her jibstay; again she had been working with a temporary
fix. Both wires are now as they ought to be. It was difficult to
ascertain the exact lengths of these wires until they were offered up.
We are much indebted to him for this work as it is a dying art.
He also does work on other Heritage Vessels when asked.”

Not being familiar with the term ‘log stay’ I asked Basil what it was and where it fits. Basil tells me that, “the longstay runs from a whip on the jibstay winch to the topmast head, down to the end of the bowsprit and is secured at the inboard end. When the bowsprit is raised, the whip is wound almost fully on to the winch drum; and as the bowsprit is lowered the whip runs up toward the masthead.

The jibstay will have to get back to you since I don’t want to get this wrong, but it essentially runs from the end of the bowsprit to the mainmast head and carries the jib when set.The longstay carries the jib topsail”.
Thanks for that Basil. We will wait for expert advice on jib-stays as you get it.

 

 

 

Notice of AGM

The New Cabin in Cambria's hold under construction

The New Cabin in Cambria’s hold under construction, Picture by Dave Brooks.

From the Trust today comes notice of our AGM. This is your chance as a ‘stake holder’ in the barge and her goings on, to have your say in how she is run and what we are doing with her. You will also be able to meet and greet the Trust officials and hear reports on the Financial Situation and the state of play of Cambria (The Business).

Boss of Volunteers, Basil Brambleby, wearing his Company Secretary hat, has the following….

Notice for the 4th Annual General Meeting

To be held on 21st April 2013 at 12 noon

In London River House, Port of London Authority,

Royal Pier Road, Gravesend DA12 2BG

Business to include:

Minutes of A G M 2012

Report on years activities

Adoption of Accounts

Election of Officers

A.O.B.

Copies of the Appropriate Minutes, Accounts, and Agenda will be available.

 

If you are able to attend, please advise me by e-mail: cambriatrustsecretary@live.co.uk  Or by ‘phone: 01634 710721


Various public parking  areas are nearby.


Best regards,

Basil Brambleby, Company Secretary

Meanwhile, Dave Brooks, in Facebook, reports that, “Cambria leaves Faversham this afternoon for a shakedown sail and then on Monday she is under charter to Sea Change. She will spend a short time at Maldon and then comes back to Gravesend ready for Rotary charters. It is expected that Cambria will spend her time mainly at Gillingham and Gravesend. Any body wishing to see Cambria racing this season can do so at the Medway ,Thames , and Colne Matches. Other races may be added. Watch this space fro dates and info.”

Thanks Gents.

Servicing and Shore Based Team

Catering for Volunteers

Catering for Volunteers

I have today had a chance to publish a new page on this site, the subject of which comes largely from Nancy Brambleby and Cathy Chapman. If you slide your cursor over the ‘ABOUT’ option on the black menu bar at the top of the home page, then open the ‘Restoration’ tab you will now find, as well as the Restoration Volunteers (our list of paint brush wielders, shipwrights, sparks and chippies) there is now a tab entitled “Servicing and Shore Based Volunteers’. Here we have tried to recognise all those who have worked and helped the Cambria in ways other than physical construction or painting – the ladies who run the Visitor Centre or staff the barge to show the public round, Cathy herself in the Shop, The Management Team, our helpers who turn out when we are moored in Gravesend, folk who do catering or organise bed linen for the Trainee Sailing students, or clean and service the barge between outings.

Cathy and Mark run the Cambria Shop at a flea market

Cathy and Mark run the Cambria Shop at a flea market

This is as yet a page under construction. Nancy and Cathy have raked through their memories and presumably photo albums and filing systems and have put together the most complete list we could provide but there will almost certainly be other people out there with many more suggestions both for peoples names and tasks. Please if you can think of anyone please let us know. We do not want to leave anybody out and the last thing we want is to cause offence by a sin of omission.

Email any suggestions to markandcathychapman@yahoo.co.uk

 

Last Charter of 2012

Last Charter 2012

Last Charter 2012, picture by Dave Brooks.

Dave Brooks has posted this lovely shot on Facebook, about which he writes, “Cambria leaving Gravesend this evening (Friday 12th Oct), bound for Faversham for the winter. Its been a satisfying season with two barge match wins a return to Pin Mill and Ipswich highlights. Thank you to all the crews who have sailed in her this season, the volunteers who have kept her going and our sponsors the Rotary Club for their continued sponsorship support.” Dave’s wife Julie B is aboard for this charter, acting as one of the crew so I expect there was a bit of hankie waving in between the camera stuff. 

Friend of the Cambria and maker of the excellent “Red Sails” film Mike Maloney adds “What a Great Sight” and I think no more needs to be said!

One Final Charter

Gravesend Chart

Gravesend Chart; Picture by Matt Care

Cambria is now getting readied for her final charter (as far as we know at present) of 2012. These last three are the Young Carer ones sponsored by The Rotary Club, the first two (now completed) were skippered by Ian Ruffles, the final one this weekend will have our Master Shipwright, Tim Goldsack in charge. After the weekend sail they will finish up in Faversham where the barge will be prepared for winter and any maintenance she requires. In all three charters the Crew has been our old friends Denis Johnson and Shipwright Ryan Dale both of whom are, by all accounts, thoroughly enjoying the experience and getting used to the role and very good at it. It’s no easy thing sailing a barge anyway and to mentor the sail trainees and keep them safe and well at the same time while ensuring they enjoy the break is an achievement worth ticking off on your CV. Well done to all four of you guys. You are part of the Trust’s pride in our old girl and the good works she is currently involved in.

 

Once she’s in Faversham, of course, the usual opportunities will start up to try a bit of volunteering yourselves. We use volunteers for all kinds of tasks from tidying and cleaning to painting and to showing members of the public around the barge, selling merchandise to polishing the brasses, helping with lowering the ‘gear’ and messing with rigging. It can be hard work (if you want it to be) or it can be simply “messing about in boats”. If you are interested in getting involved, contact either Secretary Dave Brooks, or Company Secretary Basil Brambleby, both on CambriaTrustSecretary@live.co.uk . Give it a go!

Too Rough for the Wall

Hull Model

Hull Model for the Brooks father and son modelling project, Picture by Dave Brooks.

They tell me there’s been a small delay on getting the barge onto the wall and open to the public. You are ‘enjoying’ some rough ol’ weather at present, apparently and the crew returning the barge to Gravesend after the last charter were obliged to come alongside at the floating pontoon which would at least be going up and down at the same rate as they were, rather than the unforgiving concrete wall of St Andrew’s Wharf. There the barge stayed overnight and I understand that Skipper Ian Ruffles and Mate Ryan Dale found all the facilities on the pontoon shut up and gone away due to the bad weather and effectively had to ‘break’ out of the place (don’t worry, only in a good and non-damaging way) to go buy their dinner in town before ‘breaking’ back in to eat it. Apparently the barge may be moved and become open to the public Tuesday, weather permitting.

 

So meanwhile here is another picture of the barge model currently being rendered Westmoreland shaped by Dave Brooks and his Father, Tony Brooks.

 

A Nice Chat.

Gay Archer at speed

MTB Gay Archer at speed, photo from David Archer who served on a sister vessel.

I have been enjoying a nice old ‘chin-wag’ via e-mail with friend of Cambria and occasional contributor, David Rye who turns out to have his own strong connections with the MTBs we mentioned yesterday. David sent me the attached picture of the ‘Gay class’ MTB Gay Archer and attaches the following notes.

Says David, “Nice shot of 102.

I was on MTB’s in the 50’s – the Gay class, Gay Fencer actually – good job we did not have cap tallies with the names on!
The Archer is down at Watchett, N.Devon.
Fully restored – the owner sold his house to do it!
Plenty of info on the internet all about her.”
Thanks for that, David. Perhaps we should say for the benefit of younger readers, that “Gay” has only fairly recently come to have the association with same-sex relationships. Prior to the 70’s ‘gay’ just meant happy,bright, exuberant and colourful. I love an ‘at speed’ photo of an MTB. Shows that beautiful hull off to best advantage.
David has also given me some more on the ‘Stone Heaps’ discussion from a few weeks back. Hilary Halajko had mentioned that Cambria had moored there overnight and Nick Ardley had entered a comment about the location and the origin of the name (see earlier posts). David now advises us to “take a look at the link, http://bernardoconnor.org.uk/Coprolites/Suffcops/SHOTLEY.htm , which says that “The earliest evidence of coprolite diggings in Shotley was in 1858. It was included in a list of nine Suffolk villages exporting the raw material for conversion into superphosphate in factories in Ipswich and Harwich…………Apart from digging fossils another unusual occupation that employed many in the parish was described in the local trade directory,  “Sea Boats are employed here in collecting stone for the manufacture of Roman Cement.” (White’s Directory 1874) This involved nodules of “septaria“, lumps of clay, which were dredged along the mouth of the estuary. Along with the local clay they formed the basis of a small cement industry. In 1871 Lucas C. King was described in the census as a “Farmer of 76 acres employing 4 labourers and 2 boys, Cement Stone Merchant employing 6 men.” This had been going on at least since the 1850s when many men described themselves as cement stone dredgers and loaders. By 1874 the Shotley Brick, Lime and Cement Works had started with Edward Gibbons as the manager. etc etc”  Feel free to go off and read more.
Thanks for that, too David.
Lastly (today) I must just say that I am going on “shore leave” for a few days now and may or may not be able to post. I will actually be based on the Cambria (Ah! Sigh!) at Gravesend, finally able to see her, walk her decks and re-new my acquaintance with all her timbers and tackle, not having seen her since Dec 9th last year. A group of volunteers, including me, will have her moored alongside St Andrew’s Wharf in Gravesend and, all being well, open to the public so please do feel free to come down and say ‘Hello’ to the old girl. After all, if you’ve ever bought a Lottery ticket she is, in a sense, your barge. We are just privileged to mind her for you! Look after yourselves and I will be back posting in a short few days.

 

 

 

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