Spitalfields Life features Repertor

Charles Traill has drawn my attention to the Spitalfields Life blog which has a post, dated 24th June, entitled “On the Thames Sailing Barge Repertor”.

There are lots of pictures, and we learn about the history of Repertor and how she came to be bought by her present owner, David Pollock, seen here on board.  His daughter, Amy, also recalls how she and her brothers spent much of their childhood on Repertor.

This is the link to the story.

Pictures of 2013 Pin Mill Barge Match

Hugh Perks has kindly sent us these pictures of this year’s Pin Mill Match.   It’s been a great year for Barge Matches.

First in Class A was Edme, below.

Here’s Mirosa (below) second in Class A.

And this is Xylonite, third in Class A (below).

First in Class B was Niagara (below).

 

And First in Class C was Ardwina (below).

Anniversary Thames Match attracts 16 Barges

It was a great achievement to gather 16 barges for the Thames Match on Saturday.   It would always have been a special occasion as the 150th anniversary of the first match, but was made more special  –  and more poignant  –  by the sudden death at the end of last year of Mark Boyle who had re-started the matches in the 1990s and done so much to drive them forward.   All credit then to the Committee who picked up the reins, (oh dear, we are into horse metaphors now!), and provided such a special 2013 match.    Not least, mention must be made of Richard Walsh, our own SSBR Vice Chairman, who stepped in as Match Secretary.

The weather was lovely for spectators and those taking part, but the lack of wind at the start caused big problems.   This year the match finished at Erith rather than Gravesend and the winners of the three classes were:-

Coasting Class  –  Cambria

Champion Staysail Class  –  Niagara

Champion Bowsprit Class  –  Edme

SSBR Committee member and Cambria Trust Secretary, Dave Brooks, has published an excellent report of the match on the Cambria website.   As he says, he had defected for the weekend to Lady Daphne, but he can’t resist watching out for Cambria!   Here’s the link to the report on the Cambria Blog.   The splendid picture was taken by Dave Brooks.

Simon turns Xylonite red in the Pin Mill Match

Simon North has made another superb barging film, this time of the 2013 Pin Mill Sailing Barge Match.

He was aboard Tim Kent’s Xylonite and has concentrated on the crew and their actions.   Shot at times in sepia, and at times in a very fetching red, Simon has truly captured the magic of the sailing barge.   There’s interesting background music, and some funky timing.

Congratulations Simon  –  another great film!

Click here for the link to the film.

Photo on right by Dave Brooks.