Queenborough alternative marina plan gains Council support

Queenborough Creek planTim Bell writes: My group are absolutely delighted that Swale Borough Council are taking the Alternative Marina idea seriously. This is a first step, and has been recommended by the Local Development Framework Panel Meeting to put to the council meeting for adoption by the council meeting on 2nd March. A large number of respondents (nearly 70) requested that this alternative plan be ‘adopted’ by the Borough Council instead of the proposed Masterplan Addendum. Respondents supported the alternative plan for a number of reasons, notably that:
  • the waterside location is unique and should not be used for housing when alternative brownfields available for this;
  • the alternative marina plan is cheaper and more deliverable;
  • a marina would add to local amenity and recreation value and provide a focus for the area;
  • a marina would generate local employment and will support the economic prosperity of the town and island as a whole;
  • it would attract a lot of visitors to the area, especially if the expected level of tidal access could be achieved, and could be a significant boost to the tourism offer of Queenborough and Sheppey generally, as an important focal point. It would diversify Sheppey’s traditional ‘bucket and spade’ holiday offer and cater for a more sophisticated market;
  • Queenborough is a better location for a marina than the Sheerness Port proposal. Economic upturn means that deliverability of a marina now possible and should be reinstated in plans;
  • a marina would make the housing in the area more viable and enable a higher density to be achieved; and
  •  increased yacht visits will encourage related industry and jobs.

Proposals

3.1 As a result of, and in response to, the consultation responses received, it is proposed to strengthen the Masterplan Addendum to highlight that the area to the south of the Creek is to be safeguarded for future Creekside leisure, commercial and open space uses. This can be seen in Appendix I. This leaves open the possibility of the Alternative Marina Creek Plan being implemented once the promoters gain funding for their scheme.

Queenborough and Rushenden – Indicative Revised Land Use Plan Addendum to 2010 Adopted Masterplan

News from Queenborough Harbour

CCTV  

We are currently testing our CCTV system, recently installed by Tim Bell, a friend of Queenborough Harbour Trust. The system incorporates a number of cameras that enable us to see clearly day and night. We are able to monitor our facilities remotely and record up to 30 days of data. We expect this added security will be of benefit to our mooring holders and visitors. Once the trials and installation are complete, we plan to add “Live Viewing” to this website. The system has already proved itself by identifying an unknown person moving equipment about on the pontoon, it turned out to be one of our staff wearing a new jacket!

ATL Walkway Refurbishment 

After more than 20 years of continual use, the walkway leading from Crundells wharf to the All Tide Landing (ATL) is being refurbished. Work on the timber decking and sub-structure will commence mid-March, with completion due by end of April this year. We will endeavour to keep the walkway open during the refurbishment, but inevitably there will be occasions when access is not possible. We do expect the walkway to remain open at weekends.

FREE Tokens

New this year, we will give a free ATL gate token to each crew member staying on an overnight mooring.

Free Wifi

Watch Powerboat and Ski Racing at Allhallows

Allhallows Yacht Club is again hosting two powerboat races and a National Ski-Racing event this year.

The powerboat racing season starts with the Allhallows Shakedown race on Sunday 19th April, and is followed by the first two rounds of the National Offshore Championship on the weekend of 2nd and 3rd May. Sunday 17th May sees them host a round of the National Ski Racing Championship. Can you imagine being towed along at speeds of up to 75mph for races in excess of 45 minutes?

All are welcome to come along and watch what should be some thrilling racing, and enjoy the hospitality of Allhallows Yacht Club. For the more adventurous how would you fancy volunteering to assist with the Safety Fleet?

Contact John Gore, j.r.gore (at) btinternet.com for more details.

Boaters lost in thick fog rescued by RNLI in Swale

Five boaters lost in thick fog were rescued off the Isle of Sheppey by Sheerness RNLI on Monday evening. The group on board the 25ft motorboat contacted the coastguard around 9.30pm after realising that they were lost and moored up to a navigation buoy. The Sheerness inshore lifeboat Eleanor was launched and, despite the visibility of only 50 metres, they soon located the group in the Swale, and escorted the boat to Queenborough Harbour.

Read more 

Medway Council rejects petition to improve public slipway

A petition, led by Trevor Peen of Medway Waterports Centre, to repair the last remaining public slipway and access road at Commodore’s Hard, Gillingham, has been rejected by Medway Council. Robin Cooper, the Council’s Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture, stated that the slipway had been recently cleared of mud and was in as good condition as the Harty Ferry slipway on the Isle of Sheppey. Trevor says he will appeal on the grounds that the petition has not been dealt with properly.

Commodore’s Hard is used to access the river by neighbouring sailing clubs, rowers, canoeists, dinghy sailors, sea scouts and other youth organisations.

Tom Banks

Tom Banks oversaw the development of youth and adult sailing within the local community for over 25 years. During this time he dedicated his weekends to provide recreational sailing and racing for young and old alike. He inspired a dedicated team of volunteers at what is now the Medway Watersports Centre.

Tom’s funeral will take place on 3 March 2015 at 1000 hrs. It will be held at Medway Crematorium, Robin Hood Lane, Chatham, ME5 9QU. A wake will take place afterwards at Medway Cruising Club.

Nominate your club’s outstanding volunteers

RYA Volunteer AwardsThe RYA Volunteer Awards, the MBE’s of our sport, recognise the outstanding contributions made by volunteers throughout the UK.

Nominations for 2015 awards now invited

  • RYA Award – presented to outstanding individuals for their commitment and services to boating and the RYA at a regional or national level.
  • RYA Family Award – presented to a family group who is deserving of recognition for the impact they have made both individually and collectively.
  • Francis Elkin Award – Presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution in time, effort and personal endeavour in enabling people with disabilities to become involved in sailing.
  • RYA Community Award – presented to outstanding individuals for their exceptional commitment and services to boating at club or grass roots level. Individuals must be nominated by their club/centre or organisation to receive an Award, in one of three categories.  Clubs may only make one nomination in each category:
    • Lifetime Commitment – someone who has shown exceptional commitment and dedication to their club or organisation for at least 15 years
    • Outstanding Contribution – someone who has volunteered for less than 15 years but who has nonetheless made a significant contribution. This could be a single or ‘one-off’ contribution.
    • Youth – someone under the age of 25 on the 1st October 2015 who has demonstrated a regular commitment and/or inspirational contribution which is over-and-above their own participation or achievement within the sport.

Award winners and their guests will be invited to a special presentation ceremony and luncheon in London in November 2015. This is a great opportunity to recognise and reward outstanding contribution made to our sport by individual volunteers.

For further information and to download a nomination form please visit: www.rya.org.uk/go/ryavolunteerawards

or  call or email the volunteering department on 023 8060 4199 volunteering@rya.org.uk

Written nominations should reach the RYA by Monday 27 April 2015

Chris Jeckells on Sails, 21 Feb, 11am-3pm, at Medway YC

The Westerly Owners East Coast Group invites you to take a short break from your winter boat maintenance to attend this winter technical event. This is an opportunity to meet East Coast Westerly Owners, Medway YC members and members of the Medway and Swale Boating Association and hear about sails.

Chris Jeckells, Managing Director of Jeckells the Sailmakers, will be joining us to talk about how sails are made and give us a simple guide on how to set sails in order to get the best performance from them. Chris will be giving away a brand new style Jeckells jacket (RRP £124.99) for the first correct entry drawn from a hat based on three simple questions, the answers to which will be covered in the talk.

Note advance booking required.

Westerly ECG MYC Sails event 21st Feb open 2-2-15