Tag: photographs

Photographs of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010

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Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010

Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010 Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010 Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010

Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010 Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010 Photos of the Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley 2010

Fowey boatbuilder Marcus Lewis went to this years Thames Traditional Boat Rally and kindly sent me these shots – he knew in advance that I wouldn’t be able to attend myself.

Here’s what he had to say about them:

‘Hi, I thought I would send you some pictures of the Henley rally in case you were short of material this week!

It was super weather, bright sunshine some of the time, with a breeze on the river (bit more on Sunday) and the atmosphere was very relaxed and calm, no-one getting their knickers twisted!

There was a marvellous selection of craft, a large collection of Dunkirk Little Ships – even a motor launch that used to ferry passengers from Fowey to Bodinnick – and a very good commentary from people who clearly know the boats, the owners, and what they can get away with commenting on!

The boat jumble was ok, not over-busy, but there were a few treasures to be found if you were looking.

The illuminated parade was a little under-subscribed, but those that took part really made an effort.

An excellent event that was blessed with fine weather, and the red kites soaring overhead gave something for my partner Sue to watch when she got tired of looking at the boats!

Cheers, Marcus‘

Many thanks Marcus! It looks a very jolly party – I really must go along some time. I only have one concern: what exactly are the rules about how to dress for the occasion?

Port of London Authority archives to be catalogued and made available

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Access to the Port of London Authority archive – said to be one of the most significant in London – is set to be unlocked in a three-year cataloguing programme.

The archive covering 250 years of London’s water-borne history is to be catalogued by Museum of London Docklands staff. The work is expected to take at least three years and will give historians, river lovers and members of the public easy access to the archive.

The PLA was created through an Act of Parliament overseen by Lloyd George and Winston Churchill to bring order to the chaos of the busy and congested port of the early 1900s. It came into existence on 31 March 1909.

The archive includes 30 boxes of documents relating to the 19th century dock companies; 120 boxes of documents relating to the early years of the PLA; 140 boxes of documents relating to post-war PLA activities; 50 boxes of post-war PLA personnel documents; architectural drawings relating to all aspects of the docks; and a range of PLA river charts. It adds up to a lot of material.l

An entertaining historical presentation telling the story of the PLA is already available can be found on the organisation’s website at www.pla.co.uk.

More photographs from Hastings: statues and portraits of historical celebrities

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The house that once belonged to Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell’s mum

Also in Hastings we found this extraordinary house. Perhaps the last time I walked along this road I failed to make the obvious connection, but this time I didn’t fail to make it and took the shots that duty required.

The story of Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell is that he happened to be in charge when a large but off-course portion of the British Navy hit the Scilly Isles instead of sailing safely up the English Channel, as had been expected.

It was a miserable end to what must previously been a glittering career full of successful heroics – but it wasn’t in vain because the historians say that the renewed interest in navigation that followed led to the development of the chronometer.

Sir Cloudesley’s body was found washed up on a Scilly Isles beach, and he is now commemorated in Westminster Abbey by a monument made by the legendary Grinling Gibbons, no less.

Hastings seems to be keen on its big-name maritime heroes; within a quarter of a mile of the Shovell house, we came upon these reminders of Sir Francis Drake and Admiral Lord Nelson.

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