1 Soar Boating Club Newsletter Autumn 2019 Contents Editorial ………………………………………………………………………………..……1 Our Commodores Address …………………………………………………………….…2 Mooring Updates ………………………………………………….…………………….…3 Paddlers News …………………………………………………….…………………….…4 The Editors Poem ……………………………………………………..…………….…..…6 The Mixed Fortunes of our Local Chain Ferry ………………………………..…..….…7 In Praise of the AWCC …………………………………………………………….…..…..9 Man the Lifeboats …………………………………………………………… ……….……11 Out and About for the RBOA …………………………………………………….…….….13 Diana, more that a boat, a Legend ……………………………………………………….16 A Windy Tale of a Marquee and a Great Party ………………………………………….20 Noticeboard………...……………………………………………………………………..…25 Editorial Footnote……………………………………………………….…………………..26 Editorial Hello everyone and welcome to the Autumn edition of Soar Points, this is my second experience of being Editor of your bi annual newsletter. I have to report that the input for this issue was slow to arrive, but after many appeals for copy, in certain quarters, I have been overwhelmed with articles for your interest. That in itself is a great encouragement to me to make a publication that is well worth your time reading. Maybe, once you have read through it, you may see room for improvement or an addition of different types of article? If so, please, please, give me some feedback, as it all helps to motivate me to make improvements in the next edition. Chris Hartny-Mills Editor Soar Points
Editorial Hello everyone and welcome to the Autumn edition of Soar Points, this is my second experience of being Editor of your bi annual newsletter. I have to report that the input for this issue was slow to arrive, but after many appeals for copy, in certain quarters, I have been overwhelmed with articles for your interest. That in itself is a great encouragement to me to make a publication that is well worth your time
reading. Maybe, once you have read through it, you may see room for improvement or an addition of different types of article? If so, please, please, give me some feedback, as it all helps to motivate me to make improvements in the next edition.
Chris Hartny-Mills Editor
Soar Points
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Our Commodores Address Hi All, It’s that time of year for our Soar Points newsletter, and what a busy year it’s been so far. We started this year with the first of our three planned weekend cruises to Trent Lock. This was on Saturday 4th May. On our arrival we all gathered together and we all enjoyed a very nice dinner in the Lock Public House, followed by crazy golf and on the Sunday we enjoyed a splendid lunch in the golf club restaurant, and we all cruised back to the club on the Monday. The second cruise was to Willow Moorings. This took place on Saturday June 9th where we had a BBQ and some light entertainment. Our final cruise, was held on the August Bank Holiday. On the Saturday we cruised up to Trent Bridge, where we gathered together for a meal at The Trent Bridge Inn, we BBQ’d on the Sunday and cruised back home on the Monday. We had an encouraging turnout of 12 boats and no less than 40 people! I think this was due to the fantastic weather over the whole weekend. Other exciting events that are forthcoming for this year, include; a disco, live entertainment, camping and sailing weekend, a cocktail evening, race night, a children’s party and Burns Night Supper, and plenty more, all of which are itemised on the Notice Board at the end of this publication. These events take a lot of time and effort to organise so please come and support your club. In addition to the Social Calendar, your committee spend a great deal of time and effort organising and supervising improvements to the club. One great example being the piling to the river frontage which is now complete and I am sure you will have noticed that it looks very professional and will serve us well, and make boarding and alighting much safer, for many years to come.
Good boating to you all Howard Weatherson
Club Commodore
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Mooring Update Hi all, it’s been a busy summer here at the Soar Boating Club.
We have had a good attendance on most weekends throughout the summer and a fantastic attendance for events from members who wanted to come and bring their boats to the club.
We have also had a few boats stay over from other Clubs, and AWCC members, and have all been very complementary about the Soar Boat Club, mainly saying what a beautiful spot on the River Soar we have, and how nice the clubhouse is. I personally, am going to try to use other clubs more often for moorings when out on a cruise to promote our club to other clubs.
There has also been a significant amount of construction work being carried out on the moorings, as Howard mentioned. The wooden sleepers to the bank have been replaced with galvanised sheet piling and a new concrete path laid, and it all looks brilliant. I would personally like to thank Howard, the Club Commodore, for all of his work on seeing this project through.
On a business note, we currently have a mooring available at the club for a narrow beam boat up to 33ft to members of the club. Any member who might be interested can contact me at:-
A polite reminder: could any member wishing to bring their boat to the club please contact me prior to their visit? Many thanks Nick Thomas S.B.C Mooring Officer
Paddlers News As many of you will have seen, the Paddlers have been busy building the canoe and kayak compound, which is close to completion. The work has been carried out by a small group of members, but assisted occasionally both physically and 'with advice' from a much wider circle. It is hoped the compound will tidy up the area between the containers, as well as providing better security following a number of thefts; with the added benefit of being nearer the water.
Once the compound has been completed, the club will be adding more and varied kayaks to our fleet. In the meantime, thank you to Rob L, for lending the club a number of kayaks from his vast collection.
On the water, we have welcomed a number of new faces, a few returning older faces from the original QAC days. Several SBC members have become regular paddlers and we have been joined by a number of other members on occasions.
Trips throughout the summer season included a weekend camp at Henley on Thames. Following several weeks of torrential and persistent rain, the sun came out as we pitched our tents, and apart from the odd shower, lasted all weekend. for those who arrived early enough on the Friday, there was a slow paddle against the wind and the flow, past Temple Island to Henley for a beer. There was a much quicker return for pizza, more drinks and a fire back at the campsite. Weekends like this improve the camaraderie and was illustrated at the end of the night by a younger member looking after a more senior member, picking him up off the floor and finally guiding him to his tent!
Saturday's paddle was from Reading back to the campsite. The omens looked good as we left Reading passing a giant inflatable yellow duck travelling up steam! Sunday morning commenced with a quick downpour, but this improved as we paddled to Marlow. This is definitely a paddle we should do again.
Our traditional Summer Solstice paddle fell on a Friday this year, so a large group met for drinks at the Navigation in Barrow, some even managed quick meal. We then set off along the 'Quorn Loop' to the newly refurbished Moorings Pub, formerly the Boat House and our former base. Here we stopped for another drink, before paddling the River Soar back to the club. Arriving back at approximately 11pm for another well-earned drink and a meal. On Saturday a smaller group, paddled back to Barrow, to fetch the trailers, stopping for breakfast at Finnies Deli on Meadow Lane and another drink at the Moorings.
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Our day trips have included; Swarkstone to Trent Lock, The Erewash Canal and Erewash River loop, passing through Attenborough Nature Reserve. More locally Mountsorrel to the club via the backwater and the club to Trent Lock.
In September a group are spending the weekend paddling from Hereford to Ross on Wye. Then at the beginning of October there is a mid-week overnighter to paddle Lake Bala and the Llangollen Canoe Trail to Chirk, paddling across the Pontycysllte Aquaduct.
Hopefully in October, we will again be supporting the “Surfers Against Sewage” river clean up. Paddling will continue through the winter, those interested keep an eye on Facebook or WhatsApp.
Thank you to all those who help run the paddling side, organising trips and events, maintaining kit, building the compound, catering for us and not least those of you who come out on the water and paddle. Finally, thank you for the continued support from the SBC Committee and the wider club membership.
Shane Morgan
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The Editor’s Poem I am trying to find an appropriate poem for each monthly edition, for the romantics amongst you. This poem, about the river Nene, was written by William Taylor a fellow poet friend of mine from Stamford.
NENE MEANS A CHANGING SCENE
It matters not whether it’s Nen or Nene, I have seen real life along its meandering ways, on sunny days or under grim grey skies,
Mayflies and water boatmen hop the surface, squirrel base jumpers treat the willow trees, as their personal playground.
Voles and rabbits abound along its banks, ducks display in ranks to dip their beaks, seeking something good to eat.
On tiny seats the anglers perch, heads bowed as if they pray in church; A line-tug informs them of a catch. a lighted match, tobacco glow, He knows this stretch of water well, the little dell just round the bend, an ideal piece of ground to sit and think on water’s brink, and gaze at swans serenely sliding through the haze of rising mist.
A twisting dive, a flash of silver blue, the kingfisher makes the smallest splash. A lycra clad lady out for early morning jog, with dog behind, just trotting by. Greylag geese honk displeasure, as leisurely, otters primp and preen, washing clean at the water’s edge.
A hedgehog opens tiny eyes, spies the beetles scuttling past, too fast for him. Slowly a small boat chugs along, with a strong smell of diesel fumes, buttercups bloom bright yellow,
Reeds poke up through shallow edges, next wooden moorings, no longer used. Boats now cruise but rarely stop, except at pubs with food that’s filling, from Billing Mill to the Queen’s Head, to get a bed, and on to Charters and then, to spend an hour at the Dog and Doublet, where local rowers plough the water, and cows graze the Whittlesey washes.
The river means so much to many, a home to Dean, an escape to Gary, but to most it is a place to walk, and talk and think and stop and drink, they admire the beauty and enjoy the peace.
William Taylor
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The Mixed Fortunes of Our Chain Ferry Normanton-on-Soar, in common with most riverside settlements, has made great use of its river. In times past, river, and later canals, provided the fastest and most direct method of transporting goods. Years ago there was a wharf at the end of Soar Lane, in Normanton.
In the early days riverside settlements had a problem. How to cross the river?
There were various means; locally bridges at Cotes and Zouch, a ford at Ratcliffe-on-Soar, ferries at Barton-in-Fabis, Thrumpton and notably Normanton. The small ferries were simply rowing boats, with limited capacity. Fords and ferries generally gave way to bridges, or ceased in the middle of the 20th century.
However, Normanton’s ferry had a better story. Though there is a record of a boat on the Soar going back to the 13th Century the first documented evidence of a ferry is on a map dated 1771. There was a continuous line of ferrymen from 1889 until the appointment of the last ferryman, Peter Liddington, in 1978.
Why has it survived? One can only speculate, but several reasons come to mind. Initially, it provided a speedy, two-way, route to both to Loughborough and Hathern, and to the fields across the river when the nearest bridges, were at Zouch and Cotes, until the 20th century. The route from Stanford being not much more than a track, it was possibly the quickest way to Hathern station (opened in 1868). At some point, it was converted to chain operation, permitting a larger boat and making the operation more reliable and less at the mercy of wind and current. Water transport gave way, gradually, through the turn of the century, as railway and road transport became prevalent. Ironically this was when the ferry became a most popular part of leisure activities, notably when there was racing at Loughborough Race Course. Also, at this time, the Paget Estate became landowners, and provided a new cottage for the ferryman, who (as the custom was) also kept the proceeds of the ferry. However, by the 1970s usage had fallen, and the ferry boat was in a poor state. It did not operate again until 1981, when a new boat (still in use) was built at a cost of £1,133.90, with generous support from local donors, including The Soar Boating Club.
Sadly, by the early 21st century, the ferry was once more in disuse and without a ferryman, despite some minor improvements to the landing platforms, by the local councils.
The Present Day This abandonment situation was both disappointing and frustrating, but eventually a solution was found. With the efforts of the Paris Council, funds were raised, the river bank was stabilised with piles, a sheltered dock provided, for the boat, and a chalet for those operating the ferry. On a fine day in April 2017 the ferry was re-opened by Peter Liddington’s widow Rita, at a Parish Picnic. Currently. the ferry is operated by a rota of more than 20 volunteers. It operates primarily from April to the end of September on Saturdays and Sundays, though it is also possible for groups to hire it at other times. The introduction of the brown and white ‘Chain Ferry’ signs in 2018, on the adjacent road, have helped to publicise the ferry. Only this year, a bride and her groom chose to have their wedding photos taken mid-stream on this one of the prettiest of English rivers. As both boaters and ferrymen both my wife and I have greatly enjoyed being part of ensuring the survival of this historic and unique, last remaining hand-hauled chain ferry on an
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English river. We have seen its popularity grow among walkers, cyclists, dog-owners and the “simply curious”, as to what it is? On a really busy day over 100 people have used it, and if business is slack, what better place to sit and read, or dream......? Chris Hind
September 2019
Warning to All Boaters! When the ferry is in operation the chain is tightened and raised. This means that during crossing it will at times be only a few inches below the surface. The chain is slackened and dropped to the river bed when the ferry docks back at the Normanton side. Boaters should always ensure that they stand off whilst the ferry is in operation to prevent damage to boats, if the chain is snagged. Please spread the word to any visitors you meet who may not realise this - though there are large warning signs now at 500m up and down stream, we can’t stress this point enough.
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In Praise of the AWCC Retirement gives Carole, I, and our Boxer dog Betty, the opportunity to take extended trips around the waterways our narrowboat ‘Chance’. We leave in May and return in September, cruise slowly for a week or fortnight, then moor up for a similar length of time to come home.
Each return refreshes our appreciation of visiting unfamiliar places, seeing the English countryside at its best, either on board, or walking Betty, and to reflect upon the history these 19 century “Motorways”.
The AWCC enables us to do this by opening the door to other like-minded clubs, which provide secure moorings and hospitality.
An Account of our 2019 Trip,
The first leg took us via Great Heywood to the Stafford Boat Club, where we left Chance in safe hands. The club at Great Heywood being a model of modernity and efficiency, it is housed is an impressive brick-built building, elevated above the moorings. There is a covered dry dock and facilities to pull boats out onto the hard. Common with all clubs there is a massive gate which is kept locked at all times.
A week later my wife, and her female crew, returned to take the boat down to Stourport, a lovely scenic trip, returning to Wolverhampton. This is an annual date for them and they long ago became extremely adept at handling the boat and swinging a lock key. It also allows me to go offshore sailing for a week! The Wolverhampton Boat Club hosted the boat for 3 weeks amongst many boats moored along above Autherley Junction. The site is fenced in and protected by a locked gate and the members have a similarly sized clubhouse to our own.
It was all going well until…
… we hit our first boat problem, just as we were leaving, an oil leak under a gearbox only reconditioned last year! Members on site did all they could to help, but it needed a professional, who traced the problem to a faulty O ring and fixed it, much to our relief.
Once underway we cruised the Shropshire Union canal, up to Market Drayton where by chance we met a couple of other boaters from the Soar area. We had a drink, discussed the merits of MIFI and the towering achievements of the engineers and navvies in creating the embankments and cuttings of this beautiful canal. We also touched upon the large number of boats moored on the offside meaning slow progress with less obliging boats pushing behind. Then like ships in the night we went our separate ways.
We found Audlem to be rocking with a folk night in the Shroppie Flyer, where most boaters in the bar sang a song, but not me. I’m afraid. We were delayed by rain the next day, but we, eventually, made the fine old town of Nantwich where we stopped for a day or two. We then went on to Chester where we struggled to get a mooring, so we had to settle for rings outside a busy city pub on Race Day. We feared the worst, but all was ok and we felt confident enough to leave Chance, and have a walk around the walls and see the town.
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On to Cheshire
The onward trip to Ellesmere Port requires going through some very weedy patches both on the canal and within our destination - the National Boat Museum. However, the visit to the museum is well worth the trip. It is housed in a complex of old warehouses and workshops which originally worked as a transfer station between sea going vessels and narrow barges, but now opens a window on the lives of the men and women who built, financed and operated the canals against the political and social background of the industrial revolution and trades across the Empire.
Aside from that, the view up the Wirral is fantastic and seeing large ships passing right in front of you on the Manchester Ship Canal is awesome. The Museum allowed us to moor for a week within the secure lower basin. My trip home required 3 trains and a bus to fetch the car, arriving back after the gates were shut – but happily my BW key allowed me access over the dustbins to spend the night aboard.
Heading for Home (and another snag!)
On our return to the boat, we slowly backtracked to Nantwich and moored as guests of Nantwich Boat Club for a week enabling our return to Lincoln. Their club largely caters for cruisers, but allows visiting narrow boats if space permits.
Because the Llangollen branch was closed, we went over the Middlewich branch and down the T ramp; M to Kidsgrove and into the, mile long, Harecastle tunnel, where, in the pitch black, we encountered our second problem. We were the last boat in a single file convoy of 3 boats when, a quarter of the way through the tunnel our spot light went out, as did the lights on the instrument panel - but fortunately the engine kept running. We could see enough with a torch, to make it through the remaining ¾ of a mile to the Southern portal where we moored. Then our problem was compounded by the engine refusing to stop! Unable to figure out the problem I turned off the fuel cock and phoned River Rescue – two young chaps came very quickly and were gone within 30 minutes – a plug, resting on top of the engine bell housing, needed pushing more firmly into its socket. You live and learn!
It was then onwards into Stoke and up the Caldon where we moored on the long arm occupied by the Stoke Boat Club, (originally a rail transfer station). We returned after a week to take the trip down to Froghall and back onto our temporary mooring. The Caldon holds pleasant memories, as it is very pretty, some nice pubs but now rather overgrown with more than its share of Himalayan Balsam.
The final trip will take us back to Normanton in early September. The AWCC is a wonderful organisation, we have moored at 4 different clubs and we thank all involved for their help and courtesy so enabling us to wander the waterways.
Carole and Tony Gamble
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Man the Lifeboats!!
As we were pottering down the River Yonne to Migennes on Bon Viveur we were surprised to see a lifeboat speeding towards us, just upstream of Graviere lock, with Simon Evans at the wheel. As we entered the lock we spied a television crew who were filming Simon on the “Joannes Noemi” a French lifeboat built in 1979 for the Mediterranean, she was ultimately retired into Simon’s collection in 1999.
Using most of his 600hp Simon turned the boat on a sixpence (or should that be a euro) and he followed us into the lock. It turned out that the TV crew were filming for a documentary on France’s TV3. In order to get some action shots we agreed to take the Director, camera-girl and assistant on the back deck of BV so that shots of the lifeboat could be taken from any angle.
Giving the crew a stable platform from which to film proved very easy, especially with BV’s bow and stern thrusters to adjust our position in relation to the lifeboat. We boated down to Simon’s yard and after about 40 minutes filming we off loaded the TV team at the yard.
Sadly, even if you are able to watch TV3 in France next spring I suspect that BV will be edited out and only Joannes Noemi will be seen (with Simon of course) I have asked Simon for a copy of the finished production. I should, perhaps, add that Simon collects lifeboats - he has about 20!
John Wilkinson
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An old sea captain was sitting on a bench near the wharf when a young man walked up and sat down. The young man had spiked hair and each spike was a different colour .... green, red, orange, blue, and yellow. The young man noticed that the captain was staring at him. "What's the matter old timer—never done anything wild in your life?" The old captain snorted. "Got drunk once and married a parrot. I was just wondering if you were my son!"
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Out and About for the Residential Boat Owners’ Association Keith Grantham, as RBOA General Secretary Elect and Recruitment Officer, and myself, as RBOA General Secretary and Publicity Officer, both planned to attend the Crick Show at the end of May, Keith manned the RBOA Stand, and myself presenting the RBOA Seminar, “So you want to live on a boat?” and talking to prospective members.
We had already decided that as we were both single-handed, it made sense to travel together, along with Keith's two dogs, and my dog. Then we heard about a rally at Welford the weekend before the Crick Show, and decided to go to that on the way. So, after the RBOA Committee Meeting at Zouch on Saturday, 11th May, Keith went back to his boat, Ouzel 11, at Pillings Lock Marina, and travelled up the River Soar, through two locks to Mountsorrel, and tied alongside Wasp for the night.
Sunday saw us setting off towards Leicester, where we stopped for the night, on the fairly recently installed CRT pontoons at Memory Lane Wharf. The new footbridge upstream of Limekiln Lock gave good access to Abbey Park, an ideal spot for dog walking.
Monday morning, saw both Ouzel 11 and Wasp heading for Kilby Bridge, on the Leicester Section of the Grand Union Canal, then on Tuesday we continued our journey towards Foxton. Progress was steady until we left Cranes Lock, where the water level was down. We decided to creep slowly along it, but it soon became evident that a phone call to CRT's national number was needed, to get some water run down to the low pound, where we had unfortunately run aground! The response was quick, so we soon continued our journey, eventually arriving at the moorings below Foxton Locks and tying up for the night.
Wednesday, was to be a steady run up the Foxton Staircase, then round the Twenty Mile Summit Pound to Welford Junction, making the left turn into the Welford Arm. The boats were winded at the end of the arm, and moored just clear of the dry dock and facilities area, Wasp alongside the towpath, and Ouzel 11 alongside Wasp. As we had a day in hand, we were able to walk the dogs part way round the nearby Welford Reservoir, and also visit the local Co-op / Post Office, much larger now than in years gone by.
Thursday, 9th May saw the boats being set up for the weekend's events, with the RBOA banner displayed on the roof of Ouzel 11, with RBOA leaflet holders, etc. on Wasp's cabin top, so that literature could be distributed to potential RBOA members.
A number of existing RBOA members came along during the event, and introduced themselves. Meanwhile I also talked to visitors about the display of decorative ropework on my boat, and demonstrated how the white cotton tassels were made.
The Welford Rally was organised to celebrate fifty years since the restoration of the Welford Arm, in 1969. On the Saturday Phil Mulligan, CRT East Midlands Director, spoke at the event, and, along with other CRT staff, was taken on a guided tour of the boats and stalls on site.
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Their tour included a visit to Keith and Jo Lodge's boat, Hadar, to see the model railway, with Hadarford Station, and a canal running alongside. Richard Parry, CRT Chief Executive, also attended in the afternoon.
We decided to remain at Welford until Tuesday 21st May, as we had ample time to make the journey to Crick, arriving mid-afternoon and tying on our allocated moorings near Bridge 12.
Wednesday provided a chance to walk to Crick Post Office/General Store and the local Co-op, and to walk the dogs along the moorings in the evening, meeting up with Andrew of the Waterways Chaplaincy, and some his colleagues, all people dedicated to offering support to any boaters who are struggling with their lives, regardless of the cause. Any boater needing to contact a Waterways Chaplain can do so by emailing [email protected] or completing the on-line form, which can be found by searching for Waterways Chaplaincy and going to Contact Us.
On Thursday, 25th May the first RBOA staff (all volunteers!) arrived at Crick by road, and the stand was set up. I slipped off to the Seminar Marquee to set up the RBOA presentation with Waterways World's Mark Langley, ready for the daily RBOA seminars.
Friday 24th May was the newly introduced Trade Day, useful if you were considering buying a boat, or large items equipment. Saturday, Sunday and Monday were the "normal" show days, where members of the RBOA team spoke to numerous prospective live-aboard boaters, some whom joined our Association there and then, and others who opted to take our literature away with them. It was pleasing to renew acquaintances with a good number of RBOA members, who all seemed to be enjoying the show.
Having taken the stand down when the show closed on Monday, we decided that Tuesday would be a day of rest, before setting off towards home on Wednesday morning, stopping briefly at Yelvertoft to dispose of rubbish and refill water tanks, before tying for the night at Saddington. Thursday took us to Kilby Bridge, and a meal in the canal-side pub.
Early Friday morning the dogs were being walked down to Kilby Lock, when we discovered that the pound below was about two feet down on its normal level! A CRT employee was walking up the towpath, and said he would contact someone to assist us. CRT's Ben Bray arrived, and organised the running of water. Once through the Kilby to Double Rail pound, we made their way back to Leicester. Although originally considering stopping at the Leicester Riverside Festival, the decision was made to continue the journey home.
We agreed a stop at Memory Lane, with the final part of the homeward journey being made on the Saturday morning. On reaching Mountsorrel, Beryl winded Wasp and went onto her mooring, and Keith headed back to Pillings Lock Marina.
Neither of us remained at home for long, as the following weekend we travelled by road to Sawley, where BWML had invited RBOA to have a recruitment stand and present the RBOA Seminars at their Open Weekend.
Unfortunately, it poured with rain for most of Saturday, and so was not very productive, but Sunday saw the sun shining, and so it was a busier day.
Having completed the Welford/Crick trip, and the Sawley weekend, things quietened down, but not for long. Tuesday 2nd July saw Keith and myself taking CRT's recent employee, Alan
Leather, out on Ouzel 11. This was followed on Friday 5th July by a similar trip for Dan Whyment, CRT Regional Operations Manager and Jo Grummett, CRT Boater and Customer Service Manager, all newly appointed to the East Midlands Region.
I am now back at base, mowing grass and dealing with what seems like acres of nettles; and Keith has just set off on another trip.
Beryl Mcdowell
Beryl presenting in Crick Members of the Chaplaincy Service
Wasp and Ozel 11 moored at Crick Beryl with Richard Parry
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Diana, More Than Boat, A Legend
The following article has been received from Richard Bartrop, who describes he and his wife Jane as relatively new members of the club. It refers to a craft called Diana who has a very varied and infamous history, which makes for good reading. Apparently, Diana is presently at the club under a blue tarpaulin by the gate. The story goes like this … Richard has a copy of a letter from the son of the original owner, which was written in 1976, it reveals some of Diana’s early history… Originally, Diana was ordered by Mr J Barrett in 1908 (Commodore of Cambridge Motor Boat Club) and delivered in early 1909 for use on the Cam
Mr Barrett was the owner of shops in London, and lived in Cambridge, and had owned a steam launch called ‘Texa’ from 1900 or earlier until her replacement with ‘Diana’. He became a Commodore of the Cambridge Motor Boat Club and organised regattas and races in the area.
There is a picture of ‘Diana’ in the November 1910 edition of ‘The Motor Boat’ magazine together with 14 other boats on the Cam at Cambridge reporting that they had taken part in a race and that “it is expected that a club would be formed next season”. In June 1911, the following year, ’The Motor Boat’ reports that there was something like 80 motorboats on the Cam in the Cambridge district and the initial subscription to the club had been fixed at 5 shillings per annum. Finally, a report of the second race meeting held in September’s 1911 ‘The Motor Boat’ tells that a race over two miles at Denver with ten boats taking part, including Diana, took place and that ‘Diana’ won. She was awarded the Coronation Challenge Cup, which was presented by R de la Rue Esq., and was received by Rear-Commodore Barrett. The Cambridge Motor Boat Club history states that it was founded in 1911, with many of the trophies having been presented by past club members, the oldest
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trophy being the Coronation Challenge Cup, commemorating the coronation of George V in their foundation year of 1911. This trophy is displayed at their Club premises at Clayhythe, together with a ‘Commodores Board’ listing all CMBC commodores.
In 2011 Diana was exhibited as the “special guest” at their 10th anniversary celebrations. The letter comments that” when racing, with Diana stripped, and with two people in her (one steering at the stern and the other by the engine) the speed reached was 7 knots. When under these conditions, “the wash left her stern”.
After Mr Barrett died in 1922 she was given to one of his sons who modified her, and eventually she passed to the other son. In 1991 Peter Hansford, then Planning Manager of Brooke Yachts, wrote to the son to confirm that Diana’s engine “is the earliest production engine number so far established, as a restoration. Brookes started building engines in 1902”. A marinised Austin 7 or Chummy by – Elephant Motors was fitted and maintained until 1973.The boat was then passed to the other son, Mr A E Barrett. He had the boat overhauled by the Two Tees Boat Yard in Cambridge, before selling her to Mr D Mills in 1976.
Diana’s History Under Her New Owner Richard Bartrop.
Richard acquired Diana from Mr Mills in the same year, 1976, minus the Austin engine. In order to get the hull home, from Alderley Edge, Richard built a trailer by customising a caravan chassis which took him quite a while.
Having stored ‘Diana’ for a number of years, Richard set about Diana’s serious restoration in the autumn of 1989. Miraculously, the engine and gearbox, were found lying under a hedge of a small cottage, sited exactly where it had been in 1908 together with its original wood and glass engine housing. It was possible to rebuild this using much of the original mahogany, despite it having languished in the garden for many years, amazing! The engine was restored with the expert help of Steve Mills (Mill's Dockyard in Long Eaton). The Restored Diana After all of this serious restoration, Richard entered Diana into ‘The First British Classic Motor Boat Regatta’ held at the Steamboat Museum on Lake Windermere in August 1990, where she was awarded first prize for the ‘Best Restoration’. She has been back again over recent years and has been awarded Best Boat in show etc.
However her engine was never easy to use, or reliable, Richard later discovered that the flywheel was cracked and this led him to exhibit her for nearly 10 years at the British Motorboat Museum in Basildon, Essex In April 2000, Diana, although outside of the current parameters was accepted on the Historic Ships Register (No. 1829) because of her social and historic importance. (This register has now been superseded by the National Small Boat Register)
In 2001 Richard set about making her completely reliable which included an engine rebuild, new propeller and work on the hull. She has now been to a number of ‘Brooke Boat’ reunions, Thames Traditional Boat Regattas, held at Henley, and other events on the Trent, Ouse, Soar, Windermere and Coniston, and revisited the Cam (motoring into the centre of
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Cambridge, and visiting Two Tees yard on the way) where she spent her life with the Barrett’s.
In 2004 ‘Diana’ was awarded the Dean Marine Trophy for best engine –installation and smooth running) at the 27th Thames Traditional Boat Rally
In June 2006 she was accepted on the National Small Boat Register (no 700) established by the National Maritime Museum in Cornwall. In 2011 she was exhibited as a “special guest” at the 100th anniversary of the Cambridge Motor Boat Club, as the winner of their first motorboat race in 1911 – the Coronation Challenge Cup. Diana has recently attended the 30th anniversary of the First British Classic Motor Boat Regatta’.
This year Richard discovered that Diana’s had caught up with her and her oak keel had rotted badly where the iron stern tube passes through it making her unusable. Richard has commissioned a boatyard in Devon to replace this major structure of the hull starting at the end of this year, using the same traditional methods.
Diana in 1912 The Cambridge Club Trophy 1939
Cambridge Trophy 1938
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Diana in Cambridge in 2009
Some Specific Details About Diana.
Boat Builders
Built & engineered by J.W.Brooke of Lowestoft in 1908/1909 for Mr.J.Barrett of Cambridge.
Historic Ships register No. 1829 National Small Boat Register No. 700
Hull
Built under contract by F.Miller & Co. of Mutford Bridge Lowestoft (builders for J.W.Brooke from (1907—1911). 18’ x 5’ x 1.5’.
Carvel teak on oak, mahogany seats and floors, pine decks. Varnished.
Engine
J.W.Brooke type 4A, 4 hp single cylinder petrol engine with epicyclic reverse gearbox.
No.L1357. Established as Brooke’s earliest recorded restored production engine.
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A Windy Tale of Marquee and a Great Party
High drama at the boat club!!! “What?” I hear you ask, well, as you all know, we had exceptionally strong winds in the region of 60mph a few weekends ago.
I was on my way to the Lake District for my daughter’s wedding, when I received a phone call from Tony Martin, “Howard the marquee is about to take off and Frank Hulme has put out the word we need people to help dismantle it!”. Well, I was just about at Scotch Corner, so could not help. Later, Tony reported that we soon had some able-bodied volunteers and the marquee was saved in the nick of time, but in the process the roof tarpaulin gained a severe rip which needed to be repaired pronto because Jo Martin’s 50th birthday party was imminent.
Thanks to Paul, the plumber, we managed to get the roof tarpaulin repaired the following week as one of his friends has a business that manufactures marquees.
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This left us with only a week before it was Jo’s party, and we needed to get the marquee erected, as we were expecting between 90 and 100 people. So once again, out went the call for help on Saturday 31st August and this time over 20 members from far and wide turned out to help and worked for most of the day, not to forget Emma Thomas with her needle and thread, doing a few more essential repairs. Very soon the marquee was once again erected.
The rest of the week was spent making preparations for the much anticipated, party, and what a party it turned out to be. As expected nearly 100 members and guests arrived and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Georgina laid on a beautiful buffet, and we were kept entertained by Davis Lacey, who is a very good singer.
As usual the bar was manned by volunteers, and what a sterling job they did. Other willing members helped with glass and rubbish collecting and generally helping to keep our club house tidy throughout the proceedings.
The celebration festivities continued until the early hours, and probably a large percentage of us awoke with a headache next day!
The bar took over £1,100 which all helps rebuild our funds to enable us to continue with club improvements, on many fronts.
Please be aware that the clubhouse is available for any member to hold a function whether it be birthday, or anything else, as long as it is approved by the committee, so please bear this in mind.
May I take this opportunity to thank Tony and Jo for inviting us all to share their celebrations and say what a brilliant night it was, and I know Jo was overwhelmed with the number of people attending and helping to make her day special.
Once more demonstrating to excellent spirit within our club.
Howard Weatherson
Jo Martin celebrating her 50th birthday
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!!! HAPPY 50th TO JO MARTIN !!!!
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Davis Lacey, giving it some!!!
“That’s the guy - lives on a
narrow boat!”
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Notice Board Dates for your diary: (As produced in more detail by Dianne Bishop) Saturday 28th September – Gin Night Saturday 5th October and Sunday 6th October – Working Party Weekend Saturday 26th October – Halloween disco Saturday 16th November – Charity Race Night (this was moved from 21st September) Saturday 30th November – TableTop Craft Sale Saturday 14th December – Children’s Christmas Party Sunday 15th December – Carol Service Wednesday January 1st 2020 – Bring and Share New Year’s Day Party Saturday 25th January 2020 – Burns Night Saturday 8th February 2020 – Board Games Night Saturday 15th February 2020 – Annual General Meeting The first Saturday of each month – Cake and Crafts For further information about any events, please contact Karen Millhouse, Mob: 7950 851583 E-mail [email protected] Please remember these events are for every one’s benefit, they help to build a great atmosphere within the club and if, and when, profits are made, that extra money goes towards improving the club for everyone. Please try to attend whenever you can.
“This was our first time on the canal, how did you guess?!!”
Editorial Footnote “Well, there you are again folks!!!” that’s my second edition of Soar Points completed. I hope, again, that you have found something in here of interest? Thank you for those of you who contributed, I welcome any contribution with open arms. As last time, I said I am always open for suggestions or comments which will help with the next issue, in the Spring of 2020. I believe that there is scope for a boating quiz, a few better jokes than mine, or a few tips from the experienced boaters, maybe? We could also have an area for the sale of any boating items, you may wish to pass on to others?
