Gavin Atkin's weblog for the sort of people who like looking inside boat sheds. It's about old boats, traditional boats, boat building, restoration, the sea and the North Kent Coast
The British Library is an amazing institution and its website is a tremendous resource, not least because of the wey it can connect people.
Here’s shipwright and barge skipper Rick Cardy, retired barge skipper Pat Fisher and ship repairer and barge skipper Andrew Harman talking about the way they speak in and around Maldon, Essex.
The Kentish Sail Association calendar for 2017 is out now and I’m told it’s made up of 12 stunning photos of barges, smacks and gaff rigged vessels and other veteran craft from this year’s Swale Match.
They’re on sale at the Fleur de Lis Centre at Faversham for £8.00 – but if it’s mnore convenient, send a £10 cheque made out to the KSA (the price includes p&p) to Julian Mannering, at 13 Abbey Street,
Faversham, Kent ME13 7BE.
The Swing the Bridge apeal aims to raise £125,000 by 1st October 2015 with the aim of enabling a new swing bridge to be built to replace the old one, which is on its way out.
The money will be added to the funds that would otherwise the used to build a fixed bridge – but the importance of a new functioning swing bridge is that it will allow the regeneration of the basin at the top of the Creek.
A swing bridge will enable barges, smacks and other vessels to moor and be maintained,in the basin, allow Faversham Creek Trusts workshops and apprentice scheme to connect with the rest of the Creek and the sea, and will mean that once again, the masts of sea-going vessels will be visible from the centre of the town.
It’s an exciting prospect, and with every donation comes a little closer to reality
The appeal is promoted by the Faversham Creek Trust, The Faversham Society and the Brents Community Association.
The artwork below neatly summarises the FCT’s long term aim.
