PHILIP POWER (Capt, retired) 19/3/27 - 29/11/12

Some sad news that has just been brought to my attention, for anyone who may remember Captain Phil Power.

I regret to announce that Phil passed away  on 29th November, in hospital near Aylesbury.  He had spent the last several months living with his daughter in that area due to failing health.

Phil was the last remaining Master of P & A Campbells White Funnel Fleet and long time resident of Cogan, Penarth.  Phil will be truly, deeply missed by his family and friends.

BRANCH MEETING CANCELLED

Due to the extreme weather conditions todays branch meeting has been cancelled.  A new date for the meeting will be arranged once the weather improves..........watch this space.

Devsteam Videos

Peter Devrell has uploaded some more videos to his YouTube Channel (HERE).  There's a 7 minute clip of a Waverley sailing from Southampton and Portsmouth to Yarmouth in September.  There are 2 clips (about 10 minutes) of Swiss paddlers and for rail enthusiasts a number of clips of steam engines around the UK.

Kingswear Castle returns to Dartmouth

On 11th December the paddle steamer Kingswear Castle left the Medway, under tow (by the tug Christine) bound for the river Dart, where she was built in 1924 and plied her trade running river trips, until 1965.  She made good progress down channel in good conditions.  With strong southerly winds forecast, she put into Portland Harbour to shelter until 18th, when she left to complete the final leg across Lyme Bay, arriving at Dartmouth in the afternoon.

She will undergo her usual winter refit, then start undertaking river trips at Easter.  KC has been chartered for 15 years to the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company who have great experience in operating boats/river trips, expertise in operating and maintaining steam engines and excellent repair and maintenance facilities to keep the ship in good order.

Kingswear Castle will continue to be owned by PSPS.  All major works on her will be done in consultation with the society.  She may not be changed or modified without the societys'  consent. 

Being based at Dartmouth, she will be much closer to the Bristol Channel area enabling many of us to take a trip on this wonderful little paddler.

Kingswear Castle moored at Dartmouth.  Photo courtesy of Chris Jones (channelimages.com)

Girl Class tug Christine pictured on the Medway - May 2010

NEWS - Balmoral not sailing in 2013

Waverley Excursions and Waverley Steam Navigation Co Ltd have announced that Balmoral will not be operating a continuous series of cruises during 2013.   To read the full announcement Click Here

Waverley: Greenock / Millport 26 July 2012

Balmoral will be back on the channel in a few days time.  Peter Deverell couldn't wait for a trip so he travelled to Scotland for a cruise on Waverley.  Sailing from Greenock via Helensburgh, Dunoon, Rothesay, and Largs to Millport for a couple of hours ashore - time to cycle around Cumbrea.

Peter shot some video footage of the trip and has uploaded a 15 minute clip to his YouTube (devsteam) channel, it can be viewed by clicking HERE.

Thanks to Peter for allowing the use of the following stills from the video.

Alongside at Greenock

Leaving Millport for Brodick

Putting the brakes on

BALMORAL - LYDNEY TO ILFRACOMBE 22 JUNE 2012

Balmoral arrived at Lydney at 08:30 for an 08:45 departure (with this early start there was no “sunrise cruise” from Clevedon this time)  Waiting to board were a disappointingly small number of about 80 (including about a dozen regulars who’d travelled some distance for the sailing – and one chap who’d camped overnight!)

Bal arriving at Lydney

Boarding was quickly accomplished and we headed across the river to Sharpness where about 120 boarded (again, in the past we’ve seen many more board here).  We were soon heading downstream under blue skies (on my gps I ‘clocked’ us briefly doing 18.5 knots). 

Approaching Sharpness

Passing under 'old' Severn Bridge (M48)

The second Severn Crossing (M4 bridge)

Travelling incignito - ex Balmoral purser (name?........can't remember)

Passing Avonmouth and Royal Portbury Docks

Departing Clevedon

 With those sorts of speeds, we arrived at Clevedon 30 minutes early.  About 20 passengers disembarked and 2 boarded (with no return to Clevedon, it was not a timetabled departure)
We left Clevedon 20 minutes early.  With time in hand Capt Clarke kept us fairly close to the Somerset coast, passing close to and south of Steep Holm then across Bridgewater Bay towards Hurtstone Point (between Minehead and Porlock) where we went close inshore all the way to ‘Combe.  I can’t remember having done this route since the early 1960’s – on a Scilly Isles trip.

Passing south of Steep Holm

Around mid-day the skies clouded over, with a light following breeze it still felt pleasantly warm on deck.  Our arrival at Ilfracombe was greeted by the bell ringing Town Crier (Roy)  who as usual welcomed us to sunny (?) Ilfracombe, he asked that we don’t feed the seagulls and if we liked them that much “….please take one home with you”

Alongside at Ilfracombe

View of the pier (MV Oldenburg on the left) and Lantern Hill

Departing 'Combe

A couple of hours ashore – enough time for a little sightseeing, an ice cream, cream tea or fish and chips before boarding for the return to Penarth and coach returns to Lydney and Sharpness.  The return trip was pleasant enough, the skies were darkening but the rain held off until we were almost in sight of Penarth Pier.

Thanks to Peter Devrell for allowing the use of some of his photos.  Peter also shot some video of the Lydney – Clevedon section of the cruise he’s uploaded a 7 minute clip to YouTube, to view it click HERE.  Peter has a YouTube Channel with lots of video clips of ‘steamy’ things – mainly engines, there’s also one of Waverley and another of Swiss paddlers – I’ve added a link to his site in the Links section.

If you have photos or video that you think would be of interest to other members, send an email to the bchannelbranch address.

Peter Havard