Getting warm by Thistle’s fire

On a bitterly cold day at Maldon yesterday, it was nice and cosy by the fire on board Thistle.

And here’s Dilys Renouf telling group travel visitors from the Essex Tourism and Leisure Show about the barge and the 2013 sailing programme available from Topsail Charters. 

 

Another loss – Mike Stammers

Via Peter Ferguson we have learnt of yet another loss to the barging community.   Peter has passed on the sad news that long-time member of SSBR, Mike Stammers, has died from cancer. 

Mike had a great love of and interest in Thames barges.   He and Peter had been close friends since their twenties, and shared many a week’s sailing together on Pudge and Centaur.    His maritime interests were both professional, as Keeper of Merseyside Maritime Museum, and, in retirement, bringing his vast knowledge of vessels to publishing a number of works.  

Signs of spring?

Peter Phillips writes:  “Forget the first snowdrop/crocus/daffodil etc.     Never mind the lighter mornings and the birds starting to sing at silly o’clock.   The first signs of spring are now to be seen at Maldon Quayside with barge sails spread out for dressing and passing pedestrians and their dogs walking all over them!” 

Photograph  –  Peter Phillips

 

Joe Brannigan – another sad loss

These weeks either side of Christmas have been bad and sad ones for the sailing barge community.

And now we hear of another loss.   Joe Brannigan, the Chairman of the East Coast Sail Trust, died on Thursday night, 31 January 2013.   Peter Phillips says he will be sorely missed by the ECST.  

Hugh Perks tells us that Joe had developed cancer, and was not looking well when he saw him just before Christmas.   

As Hugh says, Joe will be remembered for the superb effort of getting sb Thalatta rebuilt.   In recognition of that, SSBR awarded him our Colindell Trophy in May 2012.

Here’s Joe receiving the Trophy at the 2012 Annual General Meeting. 

We send our deepest sympathy to Joe’s family.

UPDATE

We have now been advised of the details of Joe’s funeral.   It will be on Friday 15 February, at 11.00am, at English Martyrs’ Catholic Church, 65 Maldon Road, Danbury, Essex,   CM3 4QL. 

No flowers, but donations, if wished, to East Coast Sail Trust Ltd.