Medway and Swale Boating Association
The voice of boating on the tidal Medway and Swale
A Notice to Mariners lists boating events of which Peel Ports have been notified: NtoM No 13 of 2015 – River Events
Organisers of Events are reminded of Medway Ports River Byelaw 1991, No. 53, Boat Races and Regattas. The Organiser of any boat race, regatta public procession or similar event when a number of vessels are expected to assemble on the waters of the Port or Medway approach area are required to give not less than 28 days’ notice of an Event to Peel Ports Medway.
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.
If you’d like to become a race officer for your club, here is your chance. The two day course covers all aspects of race management from course laying, timing, starting and finishing sequences together with protest procedures and all subjects within the RYA race management guide.
Medway Watersports Centre, which provides youth training, is no longer run by Medway Council. Trevor Peen asks you to vote for the Trust’s application for a grant to refurbish their changing rooms. Instructions for voting for Medway Watersports
A 26 mile course on the tidal River Medway, open to monohull dinghies and keel boats of 30 feet and under with a PY number of less than 1315 for the Full Marathon and 1386 for the Half Marathon. Full details here…
Today is the last day to object to Brett’s proposal to “ecologically enhance” Alpha Lake by filling it in, which would result in loss of the lake for sailing. Many kids from the Medway area learn to sail and windsurf on the lake but this activity is not mentioned on their proposal. Please register your objection.
If you want to try out an Alto two person, single trapeze, club racing dinghy, pop over to Gillingham Marina between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm on Saturday after supporting your club’s Push The Boat Out event . In conjunction with the Medway Watersports Centre you can also try out a RIB. The latest Suzumar and Sun sport inflatable dinghies are on show in the chandlery where VAT-free deals are on offer betwen 9am and 4.30pm.
Simon Pugh has contacted us to ask for help. Blue Circle Sailing Club is just on the edge of the Thames Estuary in Cliffe. The club is a small lake sited within an area of natural beauty and has been there since 1957. Unfortunately the landlord of the lake is seeking planning to fill in the lake to an un- sailable depth which will close the club completely. Many Medway/Swale boaters or their children have learned to sail at the club.
PLEASE register your objection to closing this sailing and windsurfing facility. The quickest and easiest way to object is to click on this link or paste it into your browser address bar.
Then fill the form in with your objection. Don’t forget to choose OBJECT from the drop down box. To see details of the application you can click on this link which also gives other ways to object.
http://www.planningfinder.co.uk/search/near?radius=5.0&postcode=RM18+8RS&order=reference_desc
Reference MC/14/0818
(press release from MP Gordon Henderson’s office)
At a meeting last Thursday, initiated by Gordon Henderson MP, the various groups involved in Queenborough Harbour came together to reach agreement on the way forward over ownership and management of the All Tide Landing which paves the way for immediate repairs to be undertaken to enable its use by Easter 2014 for both local yachtsmen and visitors.
This will also open the way for the Southern Water sponsored Sheppey Even Keel disabled yacht training project to restart in June 2014 something which local MP Gordon Henderson has been keen to see happen.
Mr Henderson said “We were bitterly disappointed that the Even Keel project was unable to take place last year because of problems with the All Tide Landing. I am delighted that local organisations have come together to ensure the necessary repairs can be made and I am hopeful that Even Keel will take place this year.”
The meeting was chaired by Hon Ald John Burke on behalf of the MP who said “I am pleased we were able to get all parties round the table and reach agreement so harmoniously on so many long standing issues and difference and I thank all concerned for their goodwill in doing so which made my role as Chairman so much easier.”
Geoff Reed- Director of QHT said “Queenborough Harbour Trust is delighted to work with Queenborough Yacht Club and other organisations in order to ensure the long-term viability of Queenborough’s All Tide Landing.” His colleague Patrick Moore thanked Gordon Henderson MP for his initiative and John Burke for his excellent chairmanship in achieving such a successful outcome.
Dave Price – Commodore of QYC said “ I am delighted with the outcome which I hope now puts to rest recent adverse publicity which inaccurately represented the position of Queenborough Yacht Club who have been seeking this outcome for some time.”
Queenborough Town Council and Swale Borough Council will now be monitoring progress and helping to ensure this potential boost to tourism on Sheppey is successful and that Sheppey Even Keel recommences in June under the sponsorship of Southern Water.
Sue Simpson – Mayor of Queenborough Town Council said “We are pleased to see that a compromise has been reached by all parties as the All Tide Landing is a great asset to Queenborough and we look forward to it reopening this Easter.”
Tim Bell of Sheppey Even Keel said “The disabled in Swale will be excited to learn that this much needed disabled yacht training scheme can once again start-up safely this June, I can’t wait to get going.”
