All are welcome to an Inland Waterways Association Talk at Strood Yacht is Club on Thursday, 17 October 2019. 7.30 p.m. for 8.00 p.m.
Nathan Ellis of the Environment Agency manages all the Tidal Defences on the Thames and will be giving an illustrated in-depth description of the operations of Woolwich and others.
Network Rail have informed Peel Ports Medway that, due to essential maintenance, the Kingsferry Bridge will be inoperative and unable to be lifted on the following dates and times: 21:00 07/10/19 – 00:30 08/10/19 • 21:00 08/10/19 – 00:30 09/10/19 • 21:00 09/10/19 – 00:30 10/10/19 • 21:00 21/10/19 – 00:30 22/10/19 • 21:00 22/10/19 – 00:30 23/10/19 • 21:00 23/10/19 – 00:30 24/10/19. Admiralty Chart Numbers 2482 & 2572 refer. Further information may be obtained from Medway VTS on VHF Channel 74, call sign “Medway VTS” or telephone 0151 949 6148 or 0151 949 6650
Colin Brown has been an active boating enthusiast and, owning his own boat for most of his life, the RNLI has always been close to his heart. Having the knowledge that they were always there should he ever have the misfortune to be in trouble whilst at sea has been very comforting. The RNLI story is one that captures audiences young and old The presentation is a fast moving talk supported by video, slide and sound and tells the story of the modern RNLI operations, equipment and training Colin will also bring with him a charity box and some merchandise and leaflets
We are all invited to these excellent Kent Cruising Association talks, which are held at 8pm at the Dog and Bear, Lenham, near Maidstone. It’s a good idea to book a meal (by 5pm please) on 01622 858219 for 7pm before the talk. A special CA menu is available.
Inti, the new training manager at Medway Yacht Club, invites members of RYA/MSBA affiliated clubs to MYC training events at the special members’ rates. Here are the dates for for October and November 2019:
RYA POWERBOAT LEVEL 2 COURSE: 17/18 OCTOBER, 31/1 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER, 14/15 NOVEMBER, 21/22 NOVEMBER
RYA SAFETY BOAT COURSE: 24/25 OCTOBER, 7/8 NOVEMBER
FIRST AID COURSE: 16 OCTOBER, 11 NOVEMBER
More info here: http://www.medwayyachtclub.com/training/formal-training
DUNCAN WELLS, author of the highly-regarded “Stress Free” series of instructional books and DVDs on sailing, motor boating and navigation, will be guest speaker at Hollowshore Cruising Club, Faversham, on Saturday October 19 at 7pm. There is no entry charge, and visitors are welcome. He has a wealth of experience as an RYA instructor and skipper, and as Principal of Westview Sailing School, which produces the Westview Sailing RYA shore-based Day Skipper and Yachtmaster video tutorials used by RYA students. His presentation will include “robust” techniques for casting off and coming alongside from the cockpit. Hollowshore CC’s clubhouse is at Youngboats Yard, Oare Road, Faversham ME13 7TX.
A planning application has been submitted to build houses and flats on the site of Patman’s Wharf at Upnor. Comments may be submitted on Medway Council’s planning portal ref MC/19/2361
Should you wish to object here are some of the issues that can be raised for starters:
2. The size and mass of the 3-storey terraced houses sited directly against the river front is totally unacceptable and a detriment to the area. The reference to the 3-storey estate under the heading SCALE is not relevant as the estate is not on the river front!
3. There is a need for Affordable Housing contribution. These residential units are aimed at middle and upper income earners.
4. Contrary to the statement that the air quality will not change, the proposal suggests 17 cars on the site, without counting any visitors.
5. Two cars per unit, one behind the other, is an impractical solution. No doubt cars will be parked all over the site and in the adjacent roads, adding to the existing highways problem locally. A Highways Statement is required for the reason of the already congested traffic flows and parking within the local area.
6. Under Lighting, the suggestion that a statement is not required is concerning as there are no controls proposed over the future lighting. Without doubt the future owners will add to the exterior lighting to the balconies and gardens. Enforceable controls need to be in place to ensure that this does not happen. Light pollution is a local problem and this development will only add to that.
7. Within the Design and Access Statement the Agent suggests that there is not a demand for a boat storage and maintenance yard. In support it refers to recent years when the business has been failing. The current operation has been allowed to fail simply to justify this proposed development. The boatyard is a valuable asset for Medway boaters and with new management could once again be a thriving enterprise to the benefit of the local river community.
Please make sure your club, group or organisation is represented at tonight’s meeting, 7pm, at Hoo Ness YC. If your group is a member or partner of the MSBA you should have had an email with the agenda and minutes of the June meeting. If not, please make sure you update us with your contact details – email secretary@msba.org.uk
Congregate at Gillingham Marina in the Quarterdeck Cafe 3.00pm for 3.15pm walk to the Medway Queen. Limited parking space available on Gillingham Pier for those that need them. Tour of the Medway Queen at 3.30pm, 5.00pm for 5:30pm Heroine of Dunkirk Talk and buffet! Tickets are £7 each. Tickets available by phoning Gillingham Marina on 01634 280022.
Alan Thorne has arranged for Alec Jordan to visit Faversham this weekend, to talk about the St Ayles Skiff community boat building project. All are welcome to this talk at the Prifier Building, 2.30pm. Faversham Creek Trust is supporting Alan to develop a Community Boat Building Project for Faversham. After Alec’s talk, Rosemary Devos of Coast for Life will be speaking briefly about her ambitions for developing connections and actions, bringing together people all along our coastline to bring many benefits to our communities.
Open Invitation to the Queenborough Harbour Trust CIC Open Day Wednesday 9 October 2019 from 1500hrs – 1900hrs, The Guildhall, High Street, Queenborough.
Queenborough Harbour Trust CIC took over the running of the harbour services in Queenborough from Swale Borough Council in 2012. We would like to invite you to an exhibition of the changes that have been made in the harbour during that time. Displays and presentations will include the renovation of the All Tide Landing, the piling of the walkway and the installation of sixty additional moorings including the finger pontoons made possible by the Coastal Community Fund as well as footage of the most recent Classic Boat Festival.
The Open Day will be on a drop-in basis so please come along at your convenience between 1500hrs and 1900hrs. QHT Directors and members of staff will be on hand to answer any queries you may have and will be actively seeking suggestions as to how the harbour might be further developed. Teas and coffee will be available.