Thames Sailing Barge Blue Mermaid Visiting Chatham, Sun Pier – Film Show
Category: Sailing barges
SB Ardwina – London to Lower Halstow
This Monday, Ardwina will depart St Katherine Docks, her home of 45 years. for her new life at Lower Halstow.
We’ve been dodging the awful weather to try and get Edith May rigged out and ready too, as we’ll be sailing to London to meet her at 1230pm as she leaves St Kats.
The two barges will have a photoshoot in front of the iconic Tower Bridge, before heading back downriver to arrive at Halstow for early afternoon on Tuesday.
Once she’s back, we’ll be hosting an open day and will be releasing our plans for the summer.
The 115th Medway Barge Sailing Match
51st Swale Smack and Barge Match – Saturday 10th August 2024
Happy New Year from all on Raybel!
Christmas Carols aboard Edith May
| Ding Dong! Christmas Carols aboard Edith May It’s been almost a decade since our last Christmas concerts aboard Edith May and we are delighted to be bringing them back this year for three atmospheric festive evenings. Led by Anna Braithwaite and her musical pals, we invite you to join us in a festive sing song, with mulled wine and mince pies galore. The dates are 12th, 21st and 22nd December and tickets can be purchased through the website. We hope to see you there! |
Swale Smack & Barge Match, 29 July 2023
Medway and Swale boaters are welcome to watch the race from the sidelines.
NOTE: the Swale Match is for traditional sailing craft (principally sailing barges and smacks) and is not to be confused with the Swale Regatta which is for sailing yachts.
Swale Barge Match, Sat 29 July
Sail on Blue Mermaid in the Medway Barge Match, 27 May
Sea-Change Sailing Trust is a charity that takes young people and vulnerable adults on life-skills-building residential voyages on board our Thames sailing barge Blue Mermaid. We like to enter Blue Mermaid in the annual series of historic Thames sailing barge races (or matches) that take place around the east coast each year. On these occasions only, we invite a small group of up to 8 paying guests aboard for an overnight stay onboard and participation in the race. The funds raised on these occasions help to support the work of the charity. No previous sailing experience is necessary, and as we have a race crew of our own onboard, guests may either participate in sailing the barge, or find a place that is out of the way of the action, and just spectate. Racing can get pretty exciting with the winner taking home the coveted Match Pennant, and the race points count towards the annual award of Champion Barge. The cost of an overnight berth, an evening meal before the match, and a place onboard for the race itself is £160 per person.
Queenborough Classic Boat Festival, 10/12 Sept 2022 (UPDATED)
UPDATE: out of respect to the late Queen, the festivities have been cancelled but many of the classic boats have already arrived and the harbour will be open to visitors.
Following the return of our annual Classic Boat Festival last September, we’re busy planning our annual Classic Boat Festival again, welcoming visitors to discover historical vessels on the pontoon over the weekend of 10-11 September 2022. We’ll be joined by several historical vessels, with visitors getting the opportunity to climb aboard and learn more about their history and how they work.
Throughout the weekend, our friends at Jetstream Tours will be offering trips out to the wreck of SS Richard Montgomery. These will depart from the All Tide Landing, offering the chance to share with locals and visitors the fabulous views and scenery of the harbour.
Our weekly harbour market will be making a special appearance on the town quay during the weekend, with a variety of food, drink and locally-made products and services on offer.