New barge film project – about sb Victor

A new specially-produced video series has started on Shipping TV.   Called “A year afloat with Victor”, it will follow sb Victor during 2015, which marks her 120th year.

The first part, filmed on 14th January 2015, has just been published.   It shows a trip for a group of RSPB birdwatchers who board at Harwich.

Here’s the link to Part 1.

 

The season is getting underway – here’s Victor’s programme

The barges are coming out of hibernation, although they will have had little sleep as much winter maintenance work will have been done.   One by one we are seeing them start their programme for the summer season.   And here’s news of what sb Victor will be doing this year as published on the Ipswich Borough Council website.

Click here for the story.

Victor’s Mate Bev

Here’s an interesting read from the East Anglian Daily Times website, (EADT24).   It’s about the female Mate of the sb Victor.   This is the link.

A few ladies might have something to say about it.

Ipswich and Halstow – the barges are there and open this weekend

It’s Ipswich Maritime Festival this weekend, so on Saturday and Sunday, 18 and 19 August, there will be a huge programme of activities at Ipswich Waterfront, from 10.00am to 6.00pm each day.

Here’s the link to the programme for the day.

There’s lots for children to do, and to interest adults.   The programme lists some of the vessels which will be present, and mentions Lady of Avenel, MT Kent, Thalatta, Centaur, and “Thames Barges”.   Er, what are Thalatta and Centaur then?

There will be Cream Tea Cruises on Victor at 2.00pm on Saturday and Sunday.   We also happen to know that Kitty will be there, at Custom House Quay, and will be offering three hour barge trips.

Meanwhile, further south, Edith May is having Open Days this weekend, and will be open in Halstow Dock on Saturday and Sunday, from 11.00am to 4.00pm.  Cream teas and cake are promised in the Edith May Tearoom.

Sunshine and high temperatures are forecast so it should be a good weekend on the water.

Victor and her young crew will be at the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant

We now know that a number of barges will be at the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant on 3 June.

News today, story here and here, that Ipswich-based sb Victor will be moored near HMS Belfast, and will be crewed by young people from the Royal Hospital School at Holbrook, Suffolk.  

Originally the Royal Hospital School was an “asylum”, or orphanage and

Victor sails past Royal Hospital School

school, for children of deceased or disabled Royal Naval seamen, founded in 1712, and was housed at Greenwich.   In 1933 it moved to Suffolk to find a larger site, and is now a leading independent boarding and day school.  The school is very proud of its links with the Royal Navy, and keeps a number of naval traditions, including all pupils being issued with naval uniforms for ceremonial occasions.  

Pupils are encouraged to sail, and the crew for the Victor was chosen by a selection process from the many who wanted to take part.   Being part of the River Pageant is something they will remember for the rest of their life.