BALMORAL UNDERWAY IN 2013! * * UPDATED * *

Underway, but she didn't travel very far.  Geoff Hale caught her on film moving from her berth on Princes Wharf to a vacant berth further down the dock - the move necessary as her usual berth was required for the Bristol Harbour Festival taking place 26th - 28th July.

The short film footage can be seen by clicking the following link: http://youtu.be/K_FG9Xja9ls.  The sailing ship that appears in the film, is the IRENE, she was the last sailing vessel trading on the Bristol Channel - right up until 1960.  The story of Irene (mainly from 1960 to the present) can be found HERE.

UPDATE: if you want to watch the return trip made on Tuesday 30th July, follow this link: http://youtu.be/Th9fgc-tbgs

KINGSWEAR CASTLE - DARTMOUTH TO TOTNES 19th July 2013

Pete Devrell travelled to Dartmouth recently and sailed aboard KC for a trip along the River Dart to Totnes. Pete shot video footage of the trip that can be seen by clicking http://youtu.be/m-0oqoD4na0

Some stills from the video appear below.

Pete visited Switzerland a few weeks ago and shot video of several paddle steamers, footage can be seen on his devsteam YouTube Channel.

Thanks Pete.

All aboard for a cruise to Totnes.

A beautiful day for a trip on the river.

' could be on the African Queen!

Hulk of the Kingswear Castle (1)  Her engines were fitted into the present KC when built.

A clean and tidy boiler room - hot in this weather.

Arriving at Totnes

WAVERLEY - CLEVEDON TO MINEHEAD JUNE 19th 2013

Geoff Hale, editor of clevedonnews (a local newsreel of events in and around Clevedon) has kindly sent in a link to video he shot of Waverleys sailing from Clevedon to Minehead.  http://youtu.be/Lv1C0mvSOfI

He picked probably the best day of Waverleys Bristol Channel season, to sail - the sun came out and so did the passengers, around 400 from Clevedon/Penarth to Minehead where a good crowd of about 150 boarded for the 1 hour cruise to Porlock Bay.

Thanks Geoff.

A few photos that I took on that sunny day appear below.

Peter Havard

Alongside at Minehead

Setting off for the cruise to Porlock Bay

Backing out at speed

OFFICIAL BALMORAL WEB SITE

An official web site www.mvbalmoral.org.uk has been launched, with full details on how to make donations to the fund to get Balmoral sailing again in 2014 and beyond.

There is a lot more information on the site about plans for the future.  And if you want to be kept informed, you can sign up for the MV Balmoral Newsletter.

KINGSWEAR CASTLE trip 22nd May 2013

Peter Devrell has been on his travels again and has sent in some 'stills' and a short video of a trip he did on the river Dart aboard the paddler Kingswear Castle.  The link to the YouTube video is HERE

KC alongside at Dartmouth

Lifebelt

Ships bell and builders plate

Approaching Dartmouth from the sea

Back alongside

Off on another trip

PHILIP (CLIVE) POWER - Scattering of Ashes

The ashes of Captain Phil (Clive) Power will be scattered at sea, on Saturday 1st June (12 noon ?).  The RNLI Penarth Lifeboat will be carrying out this duty, just off Penarth Seafront.

The family would like all those who knew or worked with Phil to attend.  There will be a 'do' after the scattering, at the Penarth Yacht Club.

For any members thinking of paying their respects at Penarth, would you please let Moyra know - she can confirm the time - and can give the family some idea of numbers.  If you don't have Moyras phone number, send an email to: bchannelbranch@gmail.com 

Peter Havard

BALMORAL 2013 FUND

                                                         
                                                BALMORAL  2013  APPEAL

You will have read in the current edition of Paddle Wheels the article about Balmoral written by Nick James. The proposals for static use in Bristol this year are still under discussion, and we hope for an outcome shortly.

However, even static use will require some finance, in advance of a major appeal which will have to be made if the ship is to return to service in 2014. Works currently required are the weatherproofing of the Purser's office and cabin, now largely completed by our dedicated volunteers, up-grading of some electrics and the fire alarm system, and final connection up of the sewage holding tank system, most of which was installed a few years ago.

At a recent Branch Committee meeting, it was agreed that we would establish a  'local' fund to cover the costs of these works, in advance of a major appeal to be launched later to enable the ship to resume sailing in 2014.

The immediate appeal is to raise £4,000.00 to cover the above necessary works, and to have a small balance in hand. Any surplus will be transferred later to the main fund.

If you would like to donate, you can send a Donation, made payable to P.S.P.S., to:-
PSPS Branch Treasurer, 2 Rockleaze Court, Herbert Road, CLEVEDON, BS21 7ND

Cashing your cheque will be your receipt  - to keep costs down. However, if you require a separate receipt, please enclose a S.A.E.   Gift Aid can be applied to all donations, if you are a UK taxpayer and would like us to claim 20% Gift Aid from the government, please attach a note to your payment with your Name, Address and Postcode plus the amount of your donation and asking for it to be 'Gift Aided'. Donations can also be handed in at our forthcoming Branch AGM on April 13th

At the Meeting on 23 rd. March a cheque for £500.00 was received from the estate of the late Ken Jenkins, and further Donations of £525.00 were also received, all to be used for the 2013 Appeal...................so we are over 25% of the way there!


Patrick Murrell