Berthing fees at Hythe Quay Maldon could reduce

Maldon District Council has this week been discussing charges for its services, and one of the items on the Agenda was berthing fees at Hythe Quay. Talks are continuing but could result in fees for Maldon’s historic barges being reduced because of covid 19.

Councillors were told that some of the barge owners and organizations have lost over 70% of their expected income because of the pandemic.

The Council’s Commercial Manager said that officers frequently communicate with the barge owners.

The members decided to meet the barge owners and council officers with a view to discussing the fees in the current situation of the pandemic.

Here’s the link    to the story in Maldon Nub News.

Water, water everywhere – and difficult to get a drink!

High spring tide at Maldon  –  Yes, Hythe Quay is under there somewhere!

First Peter Phillips sent us this picture, which shows Thistle with some visitors stranded on board.   Apparently the children enjoyed it, but the adults were not too keen.

 

Then The Barge Tearooms posted some pictures showing that it can be difficult sometimes to get a cup of tea on a barge!

Good field for the Blackwater Match

Plenty of wind for the Blackwater Match on Saturday, and it attracted a good field in all classes.

The Match was well advertised on the Quay and Promenade at Maldon, but it was disappointing that so few people were at either place for when the barges returned.   Probably the time, the last one arrived at about 5.30pm, and the very cold wind by then put them off.   Certainly, apart from The Barge Blog, there were only two people at the far end of the Promenade by the statue who knew what was happening.

Here’s Hythe Quay as the barges returned afterwards, and some adjustment as Pudge is put away for the night.

Click here for the Results, courtesy of the Sailing Barge Association.

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