Coastal guide 2018 by Coastal Guide

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CoastalGuide 2018

Capturing the essence of the East Coast and its rivers

Coastal Guide 2018

Tidemill Yacht Harbour Tidemill Way Woodbridge Suffolk IP12 1BP 01394 385745 info@tidemillyachtharbour.co.uk www.tidemillyachtharbour.co.uk VHF 80 Tidemill Yacht Harbour is a long-established marina in Woodbridge where you can moor your boat safely and relax and enjoy the gentle, unspoilt surroundings at your leisure. Our team are on hand for berthing, lifts, cleaning, winter storage and all the running repairs and maintenance your boat may need. We also boast a new travel hoist, impressive shower/washroom amenities and fully-equipped workshops.

• Annual & visitor moorings available all year • Winter storage packages available • Full boatyard services including lift & crane • Engine installation, servicing, diagnostics & repair • Electronics sales & installation • Osmosis treatment & resprays • GRP repairs, painting & varnishing

We look forward to welcoming you to the Tidemill Yacht Harbour! 2 Coastal Guide 2018

Richard & the team

Welcome... T

Gill Bendall

he names are the same, the faces different. After several successful years at the helm of the Coastal Guide and its sister website www.coastal.events, Gill Moon and Tim Allen have handed over to another Gill and Tim – that’s us on the left! We’ve spent a lifetime in the publishing industry (so the business is in safe hands) but, more importantly, we have a long-term love for the East Coast and its rivers. For us, nothing beats the joy of being on or by the water; whether we’re sailing up the coast or simply walking at the water’s edge, it’s all about making memories to treasure. As sailors we’ve made many friends here: fellow bertholders in our ‘home’ marina, those we’ve met in the sailing and yacht clubs we visit, the Harbour Masters who might not recall our names but always seem to remember our yacht and, of course, all those in the local sailing schools, chandleries, specialist suppliers and boatyards who’ve offered guidance, goods and advice.

Tim Sandall

Having lived, worked, sailed and holidayed here over many decades, we know that the coastal community is key to making this a region in which people and businesses can thrive. The Coastal Guide aims to support that effort, encouraging readers to use and enjoy the East Coast and its rivers in all manner of ways, all year round. We’re especially grateful to the clubs and organisations that share their events details with us and ensure that the Coastal Guide gets into the hands of their members and customers each year.

CoastalGuide&Events coastalguideandevents CoastalGuide&Events

A huge thank you, too, to the advertisers whose support means we can bring you the Coastal Guide free of charge. Please do take the time to see what they’re offering and, if you make contact, be sure to say that you read about them here. If you have any news or views to share with us, you can find us on social media, or email info@coastal.events – we’d be very happy to hear from you!

For more on how to enjoy the East Coast and its rivers see

www.coastal.events Coastal Guide 2018

19 4 Coastal Guide 2018

Contents 07 News and notes 12 Push the Boat Out 14 Eat, drink... enjoy 19 Races, festivals and regattas 28 Coastal shopper 31 A pier no longer in peril

33 Walks by the water 37 Classic craft on the water and on show 43 The boat with pedal-power 44 Spotlight on Woolverstone Marina 47 Stacey Belbin and her West Mersea launch 53 Holiday accommodation close to the water 58 Books and DVDs to entertain

61 Adventure for all 65 Nancy Blackett & Ransome’s East Coast 68 Your water taxi awaits 71 The work of the Essex Police Marine Unit 75 Your guide to what’s on in 2018 88 A photographer’s favourite locations 93 Clubs on the East Coast and its rivers

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With a skilled workforce using traditional methods of boatbuilding, at Robertsons Boatyard in Woodbridge we provide the following: • REPAIRS AND RESTORATION TO THE HIGHEST QUALITY IN ALL MATERIALS • ALL TYPES OF RIGGING SUPPLIED AND FITTED • ENGINE, PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL WORK UNDERTAKEN • PAINTING AND VARNISHING • MOORING – SWINGING AND JETTY • NEW TRAVEL HOIST & EXTENDED HARDSTANDING • WINTER STORAGE PACKAGES AVAILABLE • OSMOSIS TREATMENTS AND RESPRAYS • THE LARGEST SLIPWAY ON THE EAST COAST • HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION • EXPERIENCE AND PASSION FROM A FAMILY-RUN BOATYARD

For latest news follow us on Facebook

Lime Kiln Quay, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1BD

6 Coastal Guide 2018 01394 382305 • info@robertsons-boatyard.co.uk • www.robertsons-boatyard.co.uk

NEWSand notes...

Lobster pot campaign continues S

ailors out on the East Coast waters this summer are being urged to report any incidents caused by fishing gear as part of the Cruising Association’s campaign to improve small craft safety by securing the better marking of lobster pots. The CA petition calling for the better marking of lobster pots closed in March with 10,767 signatures – enough to officially require a written reply from Government. Cruising Association President Judith Grimwade says: “We believe we have established that something needs to be done about badly marked gear and that the wider boating community strongly supports what the CA is trying to do. “Our view is that constructive consultation including all interested parties is the way to find a solution that is practical and affordable for our fishermen. We are looking to the Government to sponsor and support that consultation. We are not naïve and don’t expect instant answers. All along we have said we are in this for the long haul.” The CA is now pressing for the consultation that the petition demanded and says the strong relationships it has established with the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, British Ports Authority and many other stakeholders during the campaign will be sustained. •Entanglements and general observations of poorly marked gear can be reported by email at lobsterpots@theca.org.uk.

Burnham’s Swallowtail flies high

he Swallowtail Restaurant and Bar at Burnham Yacht Harbour has been refurbished and reopened under the management of the marina, after several years of being run by tenants. A revamped menu focuses on locally-sourced produce where possible. Located just a 10-minute walk from the town centre of Burnham-on-Crouch, the bar offers an extensive selection of drinks, including beers from local brewery Wibblers. The restaurant seats 100 and can cater for groups, functions and families. •www.swallowtailrestaurant.co.uk

The Maldon Mud Race promises to be bigger and better than ever this year, with new attractions for all the family to enjoy and additional sponsors including Essex & Suffolk Water. Taking place at Promenade Park on 10 June, the event features 300 entrants competing in a 400m dash over the bed of the Blackwater. Last year 15,000 people attended the event and £30,000 was raised for charities. •www.maldonmudrace.com

MDL’s Woolverstone Marina hosts a day of family fun on 9 June – all are welcome at the River Orwell site where entertainment will include water taxi rides, cream teas aboard sailing barge Victor, MOB demonstrations, lifejacket clinics and nautical-themed competitions. • www.mdlmarinas.co.uk Coastal Guide 2018

NEWSand notes... Norfolk trio to row the Atlantic W hat happens when a business analyst, a councillor and a postie decide to row an ocean together? Three members of the King’s Lynn Coastal Rowing Club will find out next year. Helen Hogan, Sandra Squire and Kate Palmer have entered the 2019 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge under the team name The Norfolk brOARds. The 3,000-mile race will take them from La Gomera in the Canaries to Antigua, in a boat just seven metres long and less than two metres wide. Designated skipper Sandra – not unused to extreme challenges, she is doing the final leg of this year’s Clipper Round The World Yacht Race – says: “We all share the same attitude: life is short and precious and we should make the absolute most of every opportunity we’re given. We want to prove that ordinary people can do amazing, extraordinary things; that anything is possible.” The trio joined the King’s Lynn Coastal Rowing Club last year and Chairman Bob Panrucker says: “These three rowers make their club proud and are a real inspiration to anyone who has ever thought ‘I

Brokerage news... Precious Marine which has offices at Woolverstone and Bradwell marinas, is charging a guaranteed fixed fee of £1,500 plus VAT regardless of the value of the vessel, with no upfront payments and a ‘no sale, no fee, no cancellation charge’ promise. •www.preciousmarine.co.uk Clarke and Carter has confirmed dates for its October Used Boat Shows. The agent’s Essex event will be at Burnham Yacht Harbour on 12-14, Chatham and Gillingham Marinas will host the Kent event on 19-21, and Suffolk Yacht Harbour will host the Suffolk show on 26-28. •www.clarkeandcarter.co.uk

Thames Trafalgar Race cancelled

he Thames Trafalgar Race has been cancelled after organisers Erith Yacht Club and the Little Ship Club failed to reach agreement with the Port of London Authority over ‘sufficient space’ in the upper parts of the river. The race, brainchild of Sir Robin Knox-Johnson, was due to take place in September.

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wonder if I could…’ ” The team – who will be raising money for five charities – believe they are the first from Norfolk to enter the race. But first they have to get to the starting line – with total race costs estimated at over £100,000, the trio are offering adventurous companies the chance to get involved and support their campaign by providing sponsorship in exchange for various promotional opportunities. • www.norfolkbroards.co.uk

Bruntons celebrates

runtons Propellers, one of the oldest propeller manufacturers in the world, celebrates its 150th birthday this year. Based in Clacton-on-Sea, the business is a part of the Stone Marine Group, a group of companies specialising in all aspects of vessel propulsion. Propeller production started at Bruntons in 1908 and increased rapidly so that by the start of the First World War a significant part of the firm’s turnover was coming from it. Today, with state-of-the-art design and manufacturing processes, the firm’s Autoprop feathering and Varifold folding models are acknowledged as world-leading, and its fixed-blade propellers for motor yachts, commercial and naval craft are all designed and manufactured to the same exacting standards. • www.bruntonspropellers.com

Coastal Guide 2018

NEWSand notes... Open Day marks RNLI launch anniversary

ay is a cause for celebration at the RNLI’s Clacton-on-Sea Lifeboat station, with the crew hosting a special open day to celebrate the 140th anniversary of their boat first being launched on service. The Hastings Avenue station will be open on 6 May, as well as during the Clacton Airshow which this year is on 23 and 24 August. Later in May, one of the most successful of the RNLI Clacton-on-Sea Lifeboat’s fundraising events

Clacton Lifeboat Station

takes place: Open Gardens at The Hall, Tendring on 27 and 28 May from 2-5pm. •For information or group bookings, contact Steve Cole via e-mail at clactonrnli@gmail.com

Decking specialist is new area agent

uffolk-based Rofix Restoration is the new East Anglian approved agent and manufacturer for synthetic decking specialist Flexiteek. Oliver Rofix has been fitting decks since 2012 and started manufacturing from his Stanton workshop two years ago. •www.rofixrestoration.com

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BROKERAGE NEWS Fixed Rate Brokerage Fees

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The Most Cost Effective Way To Sell Your Boat. The commission fee can be a significant cost from your final selling price of your pride and joy. Most brokers charge a final selling fee of between 5% and 8% plus VAT or higher in some cases. For example even if a special deal on a very high value vessel was agreed at 4% this would still represent a fee of £5000 plus VAT on a £125,000 boat.

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Coastal Guide 2018 05/04/2018 16:07

Want to have a go at sailing? It’s free to try at many East Coast clubs taking part in this year’s RYA campaign

he RYA’s Push the Boat Out campaign is all about helping people discover the joy of sailing and windsurfing. Around 400 sailing and watersports organisations across the UK – including many in our area – have signed up to be involved with Push the Boat Out in 2018, opening their doors to the public and offering newcomers an opportunity to get afloat this May. Make a date to go along and meet the people who are so passionate about their water-based pastimes at this selection of venues. All you need to take along is a sense of adventure…

5 May

Blackwater Sailing Club www.blackwatersailingclub.org.uk Eyott Sailing Club www.eyottsailingclub.org.uk

6 May

St Edmundsbury Sailing & Canoeing Association www.westsuffolksailing.org.uk

6 and 7 May

Clacton Sailing Club www.clactonsailingclub.org.uk

7 May

Marconi Sailing Club

Royal Harwich Yacht Club www.royalharwichyachtclub.co.uk

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12 May

Royal Corinthian Yacht Club www.royalcorinthian.co.uk Hickling Broad Sailing Club www.hicklingbroad.com

Snettisham Beach Sailing Club/Mark Foley

Push the Boat Out

Wilsonian Sailing Club www.wilsoniansc.org.uk Cam Sailing Club www.camsailingclub.org.uk

12 and 13 May

Marconi Sailing Club

Blakeney Sailing Club www.blakeneysailing.co.uk

13 May

Aldeburgh Yacht Club www.aldeburghyc.org.uk Snettisham Beach Sailing Club www.snetbeach.co.uk

Marconi Sailing Club

19 May

Alton Water www.altonwater.co.uk Gravesend Sailing Club www.gravesendsailingclub.co.uk Medway Yacht Club www.medwayyachtclub.com Walton & Frinton Yacht Club www.wfyc.co.uk

20 May

Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club www.ffsc.co.uk

26 May

Marconi Sailing Club www.marconi-sc.org.uk

Check the RYA website for updates on whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doing what and when: www.rya.org.uk Coastal Guide 2018

Eat, drink… enjoy! With a wealth of top-notch food, tasty tipples, friendly hostelries and fun festivals, the East Coast’s the perfect place in which to indulge your taste for the finer things in life. Alexandra George suggests ways to whet your appetite

fun-filled weekend of delicious riverside feasting, The Woodbridge Shuck is an annual fish and shellfish festival, this year held over the weekend of 22 and 23 September. The main arena is at the newly-developed Whisstocks Quayside, where freshly cooked seafood meals will be available, along with a variety of stalls, music and children’s entertainment. Elsewhere in the town, participating restaurants and pubs will also be serving dishes using locally-caught and grown fish and shellfish, including River Deben oysters and mussels. First held in 2012, the event is organised by the Woodbridge Shuck Festival Ltd, a not-for-profit organisation solely for the intention of promoting and encouraging the consumption of genuine local seafood as close to its point of production as possible, educating the general public and the catering industry as to what is genuinely in season, local and where it can be sourced from, and encouraging local shops and businesses to support local seafood producers. Prime examples of local seafood are Deben oysters, mussels and whelks, lobsters from Felixstowe, Aldeburgh and Southwold, skate, bass, whiting, Dover sole dogfish, – often referred to as rock eel – and flounders, along with crab from Aldeburgh, Southwold and Cromer, herring, and cockles from Leigh-on-Sea or Kings Lynn. Throughout the town, many restaurants will be offering special seafood options on their menu over the Shuck weekend. There’ll also be a ‘seafood safari – enjoy a threecourse dinner at three top Woodbridge restaurants. After meeting at The Crown for fizz and canapes,

groups will then alternate between The Crown, The Table and The Galley for each course. •www.woodbridgeshuck.co.uk Historically great rivals, the Norfolk coastal towns of Cromer and Sheringham unite to create a friendly and entertaining weekend event, the Crab and Lobster Festival. Dedicated to promoting the local seafaring heritage and active fishing community, the event takes place 19 and 20 May and begins with a traditional seaside variety concert at the famous Pier Pavilion Theatre in Cromer. A feast of fun, food, art, heritage and music, highlights of the weekend include a Cromer Crab Sandwich Competition, cookery theatre and Art Trail. Later in the summer, a World Crabbing Competition takes place on Cromer Esplanade over

Food from the source takes on a whole new meaning when you know how to forage for your own tasty treats. Author and naturalist Tiffany Francis offers an engaging guide in Food You Can Forage (Bloomsbury, £16.99) – packed with photos, illustrations and useful information it will help you identify and find food in the wild, while recipes suggest some delicious new ways to eat, drink and enjoy the fruits of your labours. Far from being just for foodies, this paperback explores a range of habitats and offers advice to help all the family make the most of time spent outdoors. It’s full of interesting facts too: did you know that marsh samphire was historically burnt to make soda ash, a vital ingredient for the glass-making process? Or that sea purslane is, on some Caribbean islands, used to treat wounds caused by venomous fish? There’s lots here to whet your appetite…

14 Coastal Guide 2018

the August Bank Holiday weekend. Open to teams and individuals, competitors try to catch the most crabs or the biggest crab to earn the title of World Champion. •www.crabandlobsterfestival.co.uk A fantastic end-of-summer celebration, this year’s Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival takes place on 29 and 30 September in the atmospheric setting of Snape Maltings. A not-for-profit event which sticks firmly to its ethos of celebrating locally grown, reared, foraged and sourced foods, it’s a feast for all the senses where stallholders make the time to share the stories behind their fare, and food miles are at a minimum. With a backdrop of the river Alde and reedbeds, the historic Victorian maltings at Snape are the best-preserved brick malt kilns in Britain and are home to the world-famous concert halls of the Aldeburgh Festival of Music as well as a collection of shops selling food, kitchen-ware, crafts, art, books

and much else. In this uniquely beautiful setting, the Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival has become established as one of the foremost food festivals in Britain, with celebrity chefs, and food and drink lovers travelling from far and wide. Tickets are available on the day, or in advance via the website. •www.aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk

Coastal Guide 2018

There’s something about the sea air that always works up a thirst, whether the day’s been spent strolling along the shoreline, lolling on the sands or standing at the helm of a sailboat. This ‘boozy book’ serves up an expert look at the drinking culture in key sailing spots around the world, looking at what locals like to drink, how it’s made, and what best to eat with it. The Boat Drinks Book (Adlard Coles Nautical, £16.99) gets in on the making too, with over 30 cocktail and drink recipes to inspire you, plus a few of author Fiona Sims’ favourite boat nibbles recipes for accompaniment. The perfect follow-up to The Boat Cookbook which Fiona wrote a while back, this entertaining tome aims to encourage the reader to enjoy ‘a different tipple in every port’.

Tipples from the Suffolk coast G

in’s still very much ‘in’ this year and – to my palate at least – locally-distilled Fishers is the perfect evocation of the Suffolk coast. Capturing some of the forgotten flavours of the coastline, Fishers’ botanist James Firth has sustainably sourced and foraged wild botanicals native only to a small number of locations, including the marshland that divides the North Sea from the River Alde. Each botanical is carefully considered, picked and dried at the optimum time for the best impact on the gin’s flavour and aroma. They include spignel – so rare that Fishers has cultivated its own source, the location of which is a closely-guarded secret – along with rock samphire, wood avens, and bog myrtle. Fishers will have its own distillery on the East Coast later this year, but is currently created at the home of another fine local gin, Adnams – famed for its Copper House and First Rate brands. Elsewhere in the region, two other local brands are worth raising a glass to... Created by cabinet-maker Ed Rodger, Carpenter’s Gin, a London Dry, is made in batches of just 80

16 Coastal Guide 2018

bottles and features an infusion of orris root, coriander seeds, French angelica root, almond powder, Spanish lemon and orange peel, juniper and cardamon. White oak chips give this gin – distilled at Suffolk Food Hall – a lovely buttery smoothness. And Black Shuck gin is a delightful fusion of local ingredients – the botanicals of bitter orange, juniper and coriander are incorporated with Norfolk lavender while the addition of sea buckthorn gives it a Scandinavian twist. • www.fishersgin.com •www.carpentersdistillery.co.uk •www.blackshuckltd.co.uk

VARIFOLD

AUTOPROP

SIGMADRIVE

Welcomes you to one of the most attractive harbours on the East Coast

Full Marina Facilities

Temporary & Permanent Berthing Available Winter Storage Ashore or Afloat

www.titchmarshmarina.co.uk Harbour Office T: 01255 672 185 VHF Channel 80 info@titchmarshmarina.co.uk Coastal Guide 2018

Burnham Yacht Harbour is in the pretty town of Burnham -on-Crouch with its quaint shops and just an hour from London (direct train to Liverpool Street Station). We provide all facilities you would expect to find from a modern secure marina with 24 hour tidal access, 350 fully serviced berths, the Swallowtail Restaurant and Bar, chandlery, workshop, yacht brokerage and friendly staff. You can easily explore the rivers and creeks of the East Coast ranging from the Thames (and London), through to the Norfolk Broads. Annual customers also enjoy 30 days free berthing at Shotley Marina, Suffolk.

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A summer of boating fun Our region plays host to a number of races, festivals and regattas… here’s a selection! Medway Regatta

edway Yacht Club hosts one of the South East’s premier regattas, which this year takes place from 19 to 22 July. The event promises competitive racing for cruisers and one design classes, and with racing under the IRC and NHC handicap systems there are opportunities for both the serious and occasional racers. A varied format including estuary races and windward/leeward courses plus plenty of shoreside fun and entertainment including a final-day prizegiving event make this a regatta for all the family. •www.medwayyachtclub.com

Blakeney Regatta

Karen Langston

Steve Soanes

ocated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Blakeney Sailing Club offers competitive classes in tidal waters, plus a warm welcome for all. Protected by a spit of land leading to Blakeney Point, the harbour will see plenty of action in the annual race week that leads up to the ‘Blue Riband’ Blakeney Regatta on 1 and 2 September, with starts at 10am on the Saturday and 10.45am on the Sunday. A few weeks before, on 18 August,

another of Blakeney Sailing Club’s premier events takes place, The Morston Regatta. Earlier in the season, Blakeney Sailing Club hosts the Seafly Nationals on 19 and 20 May. And on 15 and 16 September it hosts the Streaker Class Association Southern Area Championships (left), with results counting towards the Southern Paddle, East Anglian and Rooster Super Series. •www.blakeneysailing.co.uk Coastal Guide 2018

Brightlingsea counts its blessings

Mersea Week... and beyond

ersea Island’s summer of fun kicks off with the East Coast’s very own Round the Island Race on Sunday 12 August. Significant changes are in store for this year’s event, with the challenge being opened up to a wider variety of boats than ever before. Dinghies and catamarans have competed for the coveted Coconut Trophy for a number of years, but in 2018 the event officially welcomes windsurfers and rowing boats. •www.wmyc.org.uk The sheltered waters of the River Blackwater provide perfect conditions for one of the most popular of the Essex coast’s sailing regattas – Mersea Week, which is organised jointly by West Mersea Yacht Club and the Dabchicks Sailing Club. Friendly and family-oriented, Mersea Week 2018 starts on Sunday 26 August and runs through to Friday 31 August. •www.merseaweek.org A week later, the separately-run West Mersea Town Regatta will take place on Saturday 1 September, with competing boats including Smacks, racing yachts and classic yachts. Other watersports events include rowing races, an outboard motor balloon race, a swimming race and a ‘walking the greasy pole’ challenge. With a wealth of waterside attractions and a grand firework display at dusk, this 180-year-old event is entirely self-financed and always fun for both competitors and spectators alike. •www.mersearegatta.org.uk

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rightlingsea is the setting for a centuries-old traditional Blessing and Reclaiming of the Waters ceremony which takes place on Sunday 20 May. This colourful custom pays homage to the town’s heritage – Brightlingsea is the only community outside Kent and Sussex with a connection to the Confederation of the Cinque Ports which, prior to the Norman Conquest, were England’s most important Channel ports. Named after the French word for five but pronounced ‘sink’ not ‘sank’, the ports – Hastings, Sandwich, Dover, Romney and Hythe – were charged with providing ships and men for the service of the monarch. Under the Norman kings this ‘cross-Channel ferry service’ became the essential means of keeping the two halves of their realm together, but after the loss of Normandy in 1205, their ships (the for-runners of the Royal Navy) suddenly became England’s first line of defence against the French. As a thriving ship-owning port, Brightlingsea became a Limb of the Head Port of Sandwich. A useful half-way house for the Portsmen en route to and from the annual Herring Fair at Yarmouth, it also provided excellent oysters and the Lord Warden has his own official layings in Brightlingsea Creek until the 1670s Today, this heritage is celebrated when dignitaries of the Cinque Ports and civic officials in their regalia attend a brief religious service at the Town Hard, before taking to the water to lead a

Wroxham Week

osted by the Norfolk Broads Yacht Club, Wroxham Week features seven days of racing and a full programme of land-based evening entertainment. Taking place from Monday 30 July to Sunday 5 August, the regatta is open to all single and double-handed dinghies, and rounds off with the Norfolk Broads Yacht Club Open Regatta which has racing in all classes. •www.nbyc.co.uk

flotilla procession along Brightlingsea Creek, past the Town Hard to West Ness for Reclaiming the Waters, a boundary-marking custom akin to Beating the Bounds on land which asserts the rights of the people of Brightlingsea to use the waters in their Liberty. This year’s civic procession will assemble at 12.45pm outside St James Church in the High Street before the robed mayors, clergy and others follow a band to the top of the Hard, where the service begins

Burnham Week

ailed as the East Coast’s most challenging regatta, Burnham Week celebrated its 125th anniversary last year with 155 entries – almost 20 per cent up on the previous year. Organised

at 1.15pm. The Blessing of the Waters takes place on the hammerhead and on board historic Pioneer, relayed by loudspeakers for all to hear. Pioneer is unique, the only surviving Skillinger – a larger version of the coastal Smacks – that could travel further around the British Isles and to Holland with a larger hold to bring back oysters to Brightlingsea. •www.cinqueportliberty.co.uk

the same start line most days so the River Crouch is filled with sail colours and some spectacular manoeuvres. On the final Saturday of the event, the coveted Town Cup race finishes at the Royal Corinthian so everyone can watch the action before a spectacular firework display brings the proceedings to a close. And on the Bank Holiday Monday Burnham’s annual Quay Day takes place – Gig rowing races and the prestigious Commodores Cup are highlights. Burnham Week 2018 will run from Saturday 25 August 2018 to Saturday 1 September 2018. •www.burnhamweek.com

by representatives from the four sailing clubs in Burnham together with other members who have specific responsibilities during the week, the event raises funds for Essex Air Ambulance and the RNLI. Burnham Week is arguably the longest-running annual yacht regatta on the UK mainland, a real treat for sailors and spectators alike – classes share Coastal Guide 2018

Fambridge River Festival

n annual celebration of all things maritime on the East Coast, the Fambridge River Festival returns for a fourth time this summer. Fambridge Yacht Haven is once again organising the free one-day event, which this year takes place on Sunday August 26. More than 1,000 people are expected to make their way to the River Crouch where there’ll be a range of activities both on and off the water. Highlights include a range of classic, historic and traditional boats which will be opening their hatches to the public. Participants already confirmed include the historic Dunkirk Little Ship Motor Torpedo Boat 102 that was involved in the famous Operation Dynamo, Thames Sailing Barge Ironsides which dates from 1900, and the beautiful 31ft Gravesend Bawley, SY Marigold. Along with live music, arts and crafts, food and drink and other stalls, the festival promises fun for all the family, and takes place from 10am to 4pm at Fambridge Yacht Station, Ferry Road, North Fambridge CM3 6LR. •www.yachthavens.com/fambridge

Ipswich Maritime Festival

dding a carnival atmosphere to the already magical county town’s waterfront, the Ipswich Maritime Festival takes place over the weekend of 18 and 19 August this year. With a ‘pirate and sailor’ theme for 2018, the event sees the waterfront lined with stalls proferring all manner of foods, drinks, crafts and gifts, along with a fun fair, a programme of live entertainment and, on the Saturday night, a spectacular firework display. In addition there’ll be a market area and an exhibit zone which will include historical reenactments and, of course, on the water there’ll be a variety of vessels which visitors can explore. The Ipswich Maritime Festival is open from 10am to 10pm on the Saturday, and 10am-6pm on the Sunday – book your berth early if you plan to travel up the Orwell to join in the fun! •www.ipswichentertains.co.uk/ ipswichmaritimefestival/

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Harwich Sea Festival

he Rotary Club of Harwich and Dovercourt hosts its popular Sea Festival on Sunday 29 July – as in previous years it will be a grand finale for the Lifeboat Week that’s organised by the Harwich branch of the RNLI. Expect lots of activities and attractions on and off the water, including Thames barges, a ‘retired’ lifeboat, model yachts, a kayak race and, if operational commitments allow, a coastguard helicopter display. The historic Halfpenny Pier and its surrounds are the setting for a day of family fun. •www.facebook.com/HarwichSeaFestival

North West Norfolk Week

ow in its 69th year, North West Norfolk Week started when it was suggested that the coastal clubs between Brancaster and King’s Lynn should pool their resources and organise a regatta that involved all the clubs in the area. In the postwar austerity of 1948/9 it was also conceived as an event that could fit in with a family holiday in an attractive and unspoiled area of the country – an ethos which still prevails. One of the first regattas to introduce class racing for Lasers (in the 1970s), over the course of the week there is one race per day, providing a good balance between sailing and holiday time. Short tidal windows mean there are no long postponements and though the racing is competitive, the atmosphere is always friendly. A near-unique feature of North West Norfolk Week, which this year takes place from Saturday 28 July to Saturday 4 August, is the variety of sailing on offer. Hunstanton and Snettisham Beach SCs are in the Wash, offering large open sea courses. The Ouse Amateur Sailing Club in King’s Lynn offers tidal river racing with smaller waves and big tides. And the largest coastal salt marshes in the world stretch between Brancaster Staithe and Blakeney, carved into which are various natural harbours and creeks, provide a further range of courses, some on the open sea, some in estuaries, some in both. Daily and weekly trophies, plus lady and junior helm prizes mean there is something for all sailors in the week and the facilities offered by the host clubs - entrants are honorary members of all of them for the week – are as varied as the sailing. •www.norfolkweek.co.uk Coastal Guide 2018

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24 Coastal Guide 2018

Essex

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12-14th Oct

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19-21st Oct

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East Coast Piers Race

pen to fast dinghies and catamarans, the East Coast Piers Race is a major charity event raising funds to support The Cirdan Trust and its important work with disadvantaged children. The race takes place on 8 July and is organised by Marconi Sailing Club on the River Blackwater in Essex and goes up the East Coast to Walton and back again. Three course options are available: the Bradwell Race which is 13 miles long and open to fast dinghies, the Colne Point Race which is 27 miles long and open to fast dinghies and catamarans, and the full ECPR which is 48 miles long and open to catamarans only.

The courses are easy to follow and ‘mother boats’ (cruisers) are anchored at every mile to keep an eye on everything. These fly orange flags and at any time competitors can moor behind a mother ship and not be disqualified. There are also a number of support boats spread out along the course who are able to assist if needed. Sailing starts at Osea Pier and continues down the Blackwater Estuary to Bradwell, across the Estuary, and then along the coast passing Clacton Pier and turning at Walton Pier. •www.eastcoastpiersrace.com

King’s Lynn Hanse Festival

E Pin Mill Sailing Club Regatta

ituated on the south bank of the Orwell, this sociable little sailing club makes the most of its easy access to international destinations as well as the beautiful local rivers. Sailors flying the club burgee compete in the annual Combined Clubs River Series each year, but Pin Mill hosts two flagship events of its own too – an open Regatta and the highly-regarded PMSC Smacks and Working Boats Race. The latter is held this year on 30 June, and the 2018 Regatta takes place on 29 September – last year racing featured more than 20 boats competing in four classes. •www.pmsc.org.uk

very year the Norfolk town of King’s Lynn celebrates its Hanseatic history with a Hanse Day, and this year there’ll be a series of rowing races designed to showcase the location’s maritime past. The Festival takes place on 20 May, and King’s Lynn Coastal Rowing Club is organising a series of two-mile dashes starting and finishing off at the historic Purfleet Quay and Customs House. Other craft will be on show on the water, and there’ll be stalls and music throughout the old quarter of King’s Lynn. •www.kingslynnhansefestival.co.uk •www.klcrc.club

Coastal Guide 2018

The Nore Race

The Great River Race

nown as ‘London’s River Marathon’, this spectacular rowing race attracts more than 330 crews competing in a 21.6-mile dash upstream from London Docklands to Ham in Surrey. Crews range from serious racing rowers to those who don fancy dress and raise funds for charity – and this year the fun takes place on 8 September. Debuted in 1988, The Great River Race is doing for rowing what the ‘road marathon’ did for running. •www.greatriverrace.co.uk

n open race for all classes of sailing dinghies and cruising yachts, the Nore Race starts and ends at Southend Pier and is organised by Benfleet Yacht Club. Covering a 20-mile circuit of the Thames Estuary, this event has been held since the 1920s and, for many competitors, is the only race they will compete in. This year’s Nore Race takes place on 23 June and a prizegiving evening is held the following Friday. A total of 25 trophies will be presented between the four main Groups and 12 individual Classes. •www.benfleetyachtclub.org

Brightlingsea Regatta

ith easy access, free entrance and some free parking, Brightlingsea is the place to enjoy boat races, displays, rescue demonstrations, competitions and fun on the water on 2 and 3 June this year. There’ll be try-a-boat sessions for power boats and sailing boats courtesy of Brightlingsea Sailing Club and Colne Yacht Club, plus paddleboarding and kayaking. Model boat races will take place at the boating lake and there’ll be entertainment on dry land including street dancers and live music from local bands. Lots of fun for younger visitors is planned too, and on the Saturday night there’ll be a fantastic fireworks display – enjoy great views all along the waterfront and beyond. •www.sailbrightlingsea.com

London On-Water

ow in its fourth year, London On-Water is held at the iconic St Katharine Docks, right next to Tower Bridge. The capital’s newest boat show, festival and supercar showcase will be held from 10 to 12 May and will feature a floating village, motor boats and sailing yachts, corporate sailing, holiday companies and RIBs and tenders. Two-forone tickets are on sale online for £10. •www.londononwater.com

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Fox’s Two Rivers

ailing can be thirsty work – most yacht and sailing club bars are busy at the end of a day on the water. But the events team at Fox’s Marina Yacht Club in Ipswich have come up with a fun way for sailors to quench their thirsts whilst competing: the Fox’s Two Rivers challenge. This annual event involves sailing a course on the Rivers Orwell and Stour, starting at Levington and with stopping points at Harwich, Shotley, Suffolk

Medway Dinghy Regatta

he Medway Dinghy Regatta is on 14 and 15 July at the Wilsonian Sailing Club at Hoo in Kent. Around 80 entrants are expected to enjoy racing on the tidal estuary, with camping and catering available all weekend at the club. There’ll be separate starts for handicap classes as well as Wayfarers and 2000s, and live music to entertain on the Saturday evening. •www.wilsoniansc.org.uk

Yacht Harbour, Pin Mill, Royal Harwich Yacht Club and Fox’s Marina. At each point on the course at least one crew member must row ashore, dash to the designated ‘local’ and down a drink before rowing back to his boat, with a token to prove his drinking prowess. One of the main fund-raising events for the Fox’s Marina Yacht Club, the Two Rivers takes place on 4 August this year. The day ends with a party and prize-giving back in the clubhouse. •www.fmyc.org.uk Coastal Guide 2018

COASTAL

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SHOPPER some of this year’s must-haves

Men’s Breton stripe jumper, £35 M&S at Queensgate www.queensgate-shopping.co.uk

Monte kid’s fleece jacket, £21 and fleece pants, £20 www.nipperskipper.co.uk

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20l Pro Vis Backpack, perfect for on board and at the beach, £69.99, www.over-board.co.uk

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A pier no longer in peril Community spirit is helping save an important East Coast landmark

he East Coast is home to many historic piers; from the photographers’ favourite in Southwold to the grade II Listed landmark at Southend – which is reputed to be the longest pleasure pier in the world – they’re an important reminder of the region’s past as a holiday hotspot and remain popular tourist attractions today. Possibly less well known but making its own mark nonetheless is the 123-year-old pier at the tip of the Shotley peninsula, currently the focus of a major community restoration project. The Victorian pier has the River Orwell and River Stour to each side and is sheltered from the open sea by the curve of Harwich and Felixstowe, which means it’s an estuary pier rather than sea-facing. It dates back to when the Marquis of Bristol owned land around Shotley and decided to build a railway pier there, to convey the Royal Mail by

30 Coastal Guide 2018

ferry between Shotley Gate and Harwich. Work on the pier was completed in 1894 but the railway was never built, due to landowners refusing to sell the land that was required for the route – Manningtree and Harwich gained train stations instead and the narrow gauge rail was used only for pushing mail trolleys and later loading munitions from the historic armoury. HMS Ganges, then a Royal Navy training establishment, used the pier during and between the World Wars. Small boats from the area went to help the Dunkirk evacuation, and part of the German submarine fleet surrendered in the Harwich Haven waters, floating off the pier area. The British Rail Motor Boat Service had a scheduled service to link trains to boat services between Harwich, Shotley Pier and Felixstowe right up to the 1960s, and the remnants of this service survives in the foot ferry service which operates April to October nowadays. A testament to the Victorian values of construction made to last, the 600ft-long pier fell into disrepair only at around the turn of the 21st century. Put up for sale for £100,000, its future looked uncertain until locals got involved, and in 2017 a ‘community shares’ offer proved so successful that the pier was purchased in February this year by Shotley Heritage community group, a charitable community benefit society. It’s thought that around £300,000 will be needed in total to restore the landmark to its former glory, making it a working attraction where people can

stroll, fish and enjoy the views. The plan is to build a visitor centre and café on the pier, where historic photos will be displayed and updates will be available on the development project. As the community group continues to raise funds to refurbish the pier, a number of events are scheduled, such as coffee and cake mornings at The Red Lion in Chelmondiston, and Pier Rum taster sessions at local hostelries including the Shotley Rose. In return for a donation to the community group, small groups can go out on a boat to see the hammerhead up close from the water, and enjoy the beauty of the River Stour and its visiting wildlife. The shoreline around the pier is accessible at low tide, and there is a coastal path to use when the tide is high. As an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the River Stour has amazing views and peaceful waters much of the time and ‘Walkers are Welcome’ volunteers have spent a lot of time ensuring there are plenty of pleasant walking routes round Shotley – the riverside route from Pin Mill to Shotley Pier is designated as an Arthur Ransome trail, with marker boards commemorating moments from the book We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea. •For details of fundraising events and how you can help save Shotley Pier, log on to www.shotleypier.co.uk or email shotleypier@gmail. com to enquire about boat trips and volunteering and funding opportunities.

The pier was designed to convey mail between Shotley and Harwich

HMS Ganges used the pier during and between the World Wars

Local art and the finest hospitality combine in monthly fundraising events held at the Michelin-listed Red Lion at Chelmondiston. Art and Coffee mornings are held regularly at the popular peninsula hostelry, with a different local artist featured each month and proceeds from the sale of their work going towards the Shotley Pier project. Tickets, which cost £5 and include coffee and cake, are available direct from The Red Lion or on 01473 780052 – booking is advised as places are limited. These events take place from 10.30am to 12noon on the first Wednesday of each month April to October, and then on Thursday 1 November and Saturday 1 December. Coastal Guide 2018

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Whether you’re a land-based day-tripper or a visiting sailor, the East Coast offers plenty of opportunities to step out at the water’s edge. Here we select three of our favourites...

Walks by the water

long-distance footpath stretching for 81 miles right across the county, The Essex Way officially starts in Epping and ends in Harwich but, as it’s signposted both ways, it’s just as easy to start at the coast and head inland too. The full route includes sections along the Rivers Blackwater, Colne and Stour. This final section (or first, if you’re starting at the coast!) is particularly lovely and has lots to look out for, including the home of the Master of the Mayflower, the Harwich ship which carried the Pilgrim Fathers to America in 1620, Britain’s oldest purpose-built cinema and the famous Halfpenny Pier. Nature-lovers are well catered for on this walk – saltmarshes are the most natural of all the Essex wildlife habitats, and among their rare species are the Essex Emerald moth and sea purslane, a plant Enjoy stunning views along the Essex Way, including this one (below) of the Royal Hospital School which sits beside the River Stour at Holbrook, across the water from Wrabness

thought extinct in Britain for 50 years before it was rediscovered in Essex in 1987. At Wrabness Nature Reserve you might see owls, yellowhammers, whitethroats, turtle dove, song thrush, nightingales and bullfinches. Wrabness is where you can also get an ‘up close and personal’ view of the exuberant House for Essex (above), designed by FAT Architecture and Grayson Perry to evoke the tradition of wayside and pilgrimage chapels. Here, specially-commissioned artworks including furnishings, pots and mosaic floors celebrate the story of Perry creation Julie Cope and her life in Essex (for details of holidays there, see p54). •The Essex Way is marked with a white disc featuring poppies and is the setting for a popular relay race which this year takes place on 2 September. A guidebook is available for free download at www.essexway.org.uk

Coastal Guide 2018

he mighty River Thames has long been key to making London the city it is today. A vital trading route, it’s played a central role in many of our country’s most historically-important moments, and remains a strategic as well as an increasingly busy location for both commerce and leisure. The Thames Path National Trail – at one end a narrow rural waterway, at the other, a massive expanse of industry and commerce – runs for 180-plus miles from the river’s source at Kemble in Gloucestershire to the Thames Flood Barrier at Woolwich. One of the delights of The Thames Path is that, in the city, it offers a choice of walking routes either side of the river – the Tower Bridge to Thames Barrier section, for example, on the south bank route is 10 miles, while the north bank route to Island Gardens is 5.5 miles. The start of the latter skirts St Katharine Docks, ahead of Wapping and the inland water basins of Shadwell and Limehouse (below) before reaching Canary Wharf and the final stretch to Island Gardens, mostly along broad promenades beside modern apartments. In contrast, the south bank route starts with a glimpse of how the Victorian docklands would once have looked, before passing through residential areas on the way to historic Greenwich, the ‘home of time’. Highlights include Rotherhithe, from where the Pilgrim Fathers departed to America in 1620, plus Greenwich itself, where working wharves give an industrial flavour to the area, and decaying warehouses serve as a reminder that London once was the busiest port in the world. Greenwich to the Thames Barrier is a further 4.5 miles and from here a 10-mile trail extends the walk further east, linking the Thames Path to the London LOOP at Erith, after which these two routes join the Cray Riverway, to the Ness. •For more information and downloadable guides see www.nationaltrail.co.uk/thames-path

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ne of the finest Suffolk walks is the Sailor’s Path, which wends its way through the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Legend has it that this six-mile leg-stretcher was first trod by the seamen who used to ply their trade along this part of the coast – when their boats got stuck in the Snape Maltings mud at low tide, the sailors would abandon their craft and head back to their Aldeburgh homes on foot. Unfortunately for them, gangs of smugglers also used the path and

Photos: Gill Moon

The Thames Path offers views of London old and new

would attack anyone suspected of spying on them. Like many Suffolk walks, the Sailor’s Path forms part of the Suffolk Coast Path, a 50-mile route stretching from Felixstowe to Lowestoft. The Sailor’s Path follows the meandering course of the River Alde, one of the most beautiful estuaries on the east coast, and was reopened in December 2012 after a major restoration and upgrading project. Walking it should take between three and four hours and highlights include Snape Marshes, a vital wildlife

habitat containing reedbeds, wet woodland and marshland where there are freshwater dykes which are home to an otter population and a variety of plants and insects. Another must-see for wildlifelovers is the Snape Warren Nature Reserve. Managed by the RSPB, it provides a habitat for many birds including woodlark, yellowhammer and the elusive nightjar. •For a guide, search for Sailor’s Path at www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org Coastal Guide 2018

36 Coastal Guide 2018

info@oultonmarine.co.uk

01502 507435

The Suffolk Yacht Harbour Classic Regatta is a highlight for sailors from across the UK

Classic revival

Whether you’re a sailor or a spectator, there’s something very special about the sight of traditional craft out on the water… Coastal Guide 2018

Thames Barge races

Thames Traditional Boat Festival

elebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the Thames Traditional Boat Festival claims to be the largest gathering of traditional river craft in Europe. Held at Fawley Meadows in Henley-on-Thames on 20 and 22 July, this celebration of all that’s best in boatbuilding and traditional craftsmanship features a fleet of Dunkirk Little Ships, Her Majesty’s rowbarge Gloriana and amphibious craft, along with Search & Rescue displays and skiff races. •www.tradboatfestival.com

hames sailing barges are synonymous with the East Coast – flat-bottomed barges with a shallow draught and leeboards, these hard-working vessels were perfectly adapted to the shallow waters and narrow rivers of the Thames Estuary. Today there’s little call for them as cargocarriers, but thanks to the hard work of organisations such as the Thames Sailing Barge Trust and a number of dedicated enthusiasts,

The Thames Barge Driving Trust runs events throughout the year to showcase the considerable skills required to pilot unpowered barges. Commemorating the lightermen who moved freight along the Thames in this way up until the 1930s, barges are propelled by ‘sweeps’ – 20ft-long oars – rowed by two of the crew, whilst a third uses a sweep at the stern to steer the

38 Coastal Guide 2018

several of these traditional craft survive. Available for charter, charity work and as training vessels, they remain a common sight along the East Anglian coastline and every year, several compete in a series of races on the local rivers. Dates for the 2018 Barge Match series are: • 9 June – Medway, based at Queenborough • 23 June – Pin Mill • 7 July – Blackwater

• 21 July – Thames • 4 August – Swale • 15 September – Colne Get out on the water (but not in their way!) for a great view of the action or pick a spot on land and have your camera and binoculars ready – Landguard Point and Shotley Marina on the River Orwell are good locations, along with Brightlingsea on the Colne and Maldon on the River Blackwater.

Aldeburgh Classic Boat Festival

osted by Aldeburgh Yacht Club, this popular Suffolk event goes from strength-to-strength and this year has been extended to include the Dragon Class Classic and Vintage Championship too. The Festival – open to dinghies and dayboats in classes designed before 1965 with the actual boats having been built before 1985 – takes place on 16-17 June, with the Dragon events starting a day earlier and continuing over the weekend. There will be starts for handicap dinghies, Flying Fifteens, Dayboats, Loch Longs, Aldeburgh Lapwings and of course the Dragons. There is free camping and motorhome parking on-site. •www.aldeburghyc.org.uk

barge with the tide. As a further test of their navigational skill, each crew must collect at least one pennant from barges moored along the course. This year’s Thames Historic Barge Rowing Event takes place on 30 June and covers a seven-mile course between Greenwich Pier and Westminster Bridge. •www.thamesbargedriving.co.uk Coastal Guide 2018

Suffolk Yacht Harbour Classic Regatta

s summer approaches, the anticipation begins to build for another exciting regatta season. And for those with a passion for the beautiful boats of yesteryear, all sights are on Suffolk Yacht Harbour, which this year is hosting its 17th annual Classic Regatta. A calendar highlight for classic yacht owners across the UK, Suffolk Yacht Harbour’s Classic Regatta is a great way to begin the season. The weekend event is set to take place on 9 and 10 June this year, and will feature two days of coastal racing in Dovercourt Bay, Harwich Harbour, and the Orwell and Stour estuaries. SYH Managing Director Jonathan Dyke says: “The regatta enjoys a reputation for being relaxed and providing an opportunity for classic boat owners to come together and enjoy a weekend of sailing. After a day of racing, we often spend Saturday evening socialising with fellow competitors at Haven Ports Yacht Club (HPYC) on-site, followed by a regatta party held on board the HPYC lightship with live music and supper. It is tremendous fun and there is a great spirit to the celebrations. “Once racing has finished on Sunday, we invite competitors to attend a prizegiving in the Harbour Room, enjoy a cold beer or two and find out more about the services available for classic yachts at Suffolk Yacht Harbour.” Last year’s Classic Regatta enjoyed beautiful

40 Coastal Guide 2018

‘Champagne sailing’ weather with a breeze, brilliant blue skies and more than 50 classic yachts competing. Suffolk Yacht Harbour’s annual Classic Regatta welcomes boats and yachtsmen of all abilities across fast, slow and Stella classes. •To find out more and secure your place contact Jonathan Dyke by email at jonathan@syharbour. co.uk or by calling 01473 659465.

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42 Coastal Guide 2018

A quiet revolution

One Norfolk firm’s novel new craft is continuing the region’s boatbuilding tradition

nce thought to be home to the UK’s highest concentration of boatbuilders, East Anglia has traditionally been a base for everyone from small, specialist craftsmen to internationally-recognised production builders, plus all the supporting trades of GRP moulders, stainless steel fabricators, sail-makers and designers. Those businesses may have dwindled in number these days, but for one local firm the future is looking bright... and pedal-powered. Norfolk-based Dad’s Boats has been afloat since the 1950s, when David Williams first built a first pedal boat in his teenage years. A single-seater, it was designed as a ‘hands-free’ means of following his remote-controlled yacht, its drive mechanism an old hand drill. ‘The Sieve’, as it was affectionately named, was mothballed when David was called up for National Service; when he returned home two years later, he found it had been cut up for firewood. Determined to progress his idea, the next generation of pedal boat started to form in David’s mind and this time a more sociable two-seater, The Cyclone, was born. This boat accompanied David and new wife Jean on their honeymoon around the Norfolk Broads in the 1960s, as well on later family holidays there. The Cyclone was also pedalled around the Isle of Wight in the summer of 1968, when David and friend Jeremy Buckland completed the journey in 12.5 hours. Since then two other designs of pedal boats have been created. Cyclamen, built in the 1980s, was longer and faster but less stable, while Lifecycle, added in 2002, is a design now being developed further through the business named in David’s honour, Dad’s Boats. As Stephen Pitkethly from the family-run firm explains:

“Production has started and The Pedal Boat is finding its way out into the world.” Hand-made by skilled craftsmen in Norfolk, The Pedal Boat is designed for inland, non-tidal, flat waters. Powered by two people who sit facing each other in the boat, both pedalling in a forward direction, a sophisticated gearbox assembly transmits the power through to the propshaft via chain drives. The person facing the bow steers the vessel with an upright tiller and the seats adjust to each user’s leg length. Stephen says: “The benefits of using the pedal boat include the fact that it’s good exercise, it’s good for the environment, it’s quiet and sociable. You will be surprised at how easy it is to pedal – with little effort you can travel through the water at a good speed.” Prices for the ‘deluxe’ model start at £10,600 plus VAT, and the firm is currently working on a cheaper ‘Classic’ model for around £8,000 plus VAT. “Lead time is six to eight weeks,” says Stephen, “and we would always recommend that potential customers come and try The Pedal Boat for themselves – we’ll be at the Horning Boat Show on 5 May, or people can hire from Belaugh Boatyard.” •www.dadsboats.com

Coastal Guide 2018

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Woolverstone Marina Creating the ultimate leisure destination

Woolverstone Marina’s luxury lodges accommodate up to eight guests. Facilities include modern open plan living areas, hot tubs and free WiFi

44 Coastal Guide 2018

oolverstone Marina is set in 22 acres of glorious parkland overlooking the picturesque River Orwell. It is part of MDL Marinas, Europe’s leading marina operator, who have 19 sites across the UK. Last year MDL Marinas opened a new, on-site luxury lodge park, specially designed to extend Woolverstone Marina’s appeal as a destination for both on-water and land leisure pursuits, as well as attracting new visitors seeking a family-friendly retreat. Kelly Sharman, Woolverstone Marina Manager, says: “The lodges are ideal for those looking for a taste of the outdoors with a touch of luxury. With their clean, modern aesthetic and open plan living space, they provide accommodation for up to eight guests. Some lodges have hot tubs, and all of them have spacious living and dining areas and woodland balconies plus free WiFi, multi-channel TV and the latest appliances.” The Marina has 235 berths, first-class facilities and an on-site chandlery as well as excellent boatyard facilities for boat repairs or maintenance work. There is storage ashore for over 250 boats and yacht stores and undercover mast storage. Lifting facilities are available, alongside a wide, easy-access slipway and ample space for car parking and trailer storage. There is also a main

“Woolverstone is an excellent base for cruising as well as enjoying the local rivers”

Volvo Penta dealer on-site, and an electronics and engineering specialist, plus a broker, sail and cover maker and camping company. “Visitors can enjoy a great range of watersport activities, including an RYA-accredited sailing school for both sail and powerboat courses,” adds Kelly. “For those who like to keep their feet firmly on dry land there are beautiful walks and plenty of on-site activities for younger guests, including a children’s play area and many walking and cycling trails that are suitable for all ages. The marina restaurant is a wonderful place to chill too, with stunning views across the water.” Woolverstone is an excellent base for cruising as well as enjoying the local rivers. Beyond the Orwell and the Stour there are numerous creeks in Walton Backwaters to explore. To the south, the Colne and Blackwater estuaries offer varied sailing, while turning north takes you along the coast to the River Deben, where leisure sailors can cruise upriver past Ramsholt to the pretty town of Woodbridge. A little further up the coast is the Ore/Alde River, where a fast tide sweeps past Havergate Island, on to picturesque Orford and then to Aldeburgh. If you’d like to go further afield, Ostend in Belgium is only 92 miles away from Woolverstone, whilst Holland and France are also within easy reach.

FIND OUT MORE

Woolverstone Marina, Woolverstone, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 1AS 01473 780206 woolverstone@mdlmarinas.co.uk www.woolverstonemarina.co.uk @MDLWoolverstone woolverstone.marina

Coastal Guide 2018

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46 Coastal Guide 2018

Amazing Grace

Stacey Belbin and her launch have worked the West Mersea waters for seven years

here’s no such thing as a ‘bad day at the office’ for Stacey Belbin, owner of the Lady Grace launch at West Mersea. People, wildlife, the water and weather all combine to make hers a life filled with variety and contentment. It was, perhaps, inevitable that Stacey would seek out a living on the water. A fisherman’s daughter, she says: “I skipped nursery and preschool, and only when I had to go to school did my time on the water limit me to just weekends, evenings and school holidays. Looking through my baby books, I read how when I was learning to walk I would judge when the next wave would hit the boat before I took my next steps.” A teenage Stacey submerged herself in study, and after leaving school she worked in finance for just over six years. “Not the most natural and obvious career based on my childhood growing up on the water and being outdoors,” she admits. But meeting her ‘first boyfriend and distraction from work’ at the age of 18, Stacey says she realised ‘life is for living and not just for working all the time’ and before she and Scott had a house or got married, they decided to buy a boat, taking people out rod and line fishing. “We used to run the boat together at weekends but as my career in the finance world progressed my

weekends were spent occupied with work much of the time,” she says. “Once our weekend fishing business started to establish itself, we had more frequent and experienced anglers on board who didn’t need my help crewing, baiting up and casting out, so I became a little surplus to requirement. I decided I wanted my own little ‘toy’ to play with at the weekends and let Scott continue running the fishing business on his own. There’s not enough room for two skippers on one boat – it’s a bit like having too many chefs in a kitchen. So we spent a long time searching for the right little passengercarrying vessel for my trips. We wanted something substantial enough to take the poor weather but not too big that I couldn’t operate on low tide. “After much searching we came across Lady Grace – at the time she was unnamed and rotting under a tarpaulin in someone’s garden. We spent most of the summer before and after work on her, gutting her back to the bare hull, grinding off the cuddy, building new seats, new decks, new gunwales, new engine box, new console, new engine – everything. Lady Grace was stripped and rebuilt completely to make her what she is now: perfect!” Stacey started off by running Lady Grace at weekends while still maintaining her day job, then in her second year she took unpaid time off work to run the boat during the school holidays. “In year three, after a health scare with my heart and being fitted with a pacemaker, I decided that every day should be lived like it’s your last,” she says. “That’s when I decided to take the plunge and give up my day job.” Never one to look back, Stacey says: “I now work in the best office in the world every day. When I started up Lady Grace she was just a hobby that paid for itself, now she is my sole income. When I started I just used to run 20-minute trips round the harbour and ferry people in and out to their boats, but Coastal Guide 2018

giving up my day job in probably the worst possible year – it was bitterly cold up until July – was when I started to develop the business most. With all the spare time on my hands, sitting waiting hopefully for passengers whilst also worrying how I was going to make my next mortgage payment, I could think about what other things I’d like to offer on Lady Grace. I started coming up with ideas like pirate parties for children’s birthdays, hiding chocolate coins as treasure amongst the creeks, tying the bags of coins to other boats (with their permission of course!). The children dress as pirates and come on a proper treasure hunt and they love it. I do a similar Easter egg hunt, as well as a Christmas chocolate reindeer hunt too. Then parents started complaining that the children had all the fun and there wasn’t anything for them to do, so I started offering my sunset boat trips – they book the whole boat, bring along a picnic and we moor up the quiet, secluded Salcot Creek to watch the sun go down.”

Making things possible

Stacey reckons the Sunset Picnic trip ranks among her most popular, along with the ferry trip she offers across to Bradwell Chapel. “There are three options for this trip,” she explains. “We can walk to the Chapel very early morning to get there in time to watch the sun rise over it, we can do the same trip in the evening and come back to Mersea at sunset, or I can drop people over in the morning and leave

them to explore all day before picking them back up in the evening. I think it’s enjoyed so much because it’s a real pilgrimage to the Chapel, there’s so much history and wildlife to enjoy, the sounds of birds are accentuated on the early morning trips when there’s little light and it’s just generally a peaceful relaxing walk and a great way to escape the world for three hours or more. I think what people love most about these trips is just how you can ‘zone out’ and forget all your troubles; being by the sea is medicinal and works wonders for your spirit.” Stacey definitely finds that working Lady Grace raises her own spirits. ”I had a lady once come out with me, just on my general 20-minute trip. Her husband had worked on the water most of his life yet he had never taken her out with him. When she was diagnosed with terminal cancer she made a ‘bucket list’ and on it was to go on the Lady Grace. It really choked me up that something so simple – that most boat owners take for granted – could mean so much to someone in their dying days. “I have another lad who is now one of my most regular customers. He is deaf, autistic and in a wheelchair. He asked his mother to try and get him on board my boat and after chatting about his requirements, I spoke with the local boatyard and lifeboat crew who agreed to lift him on and off Lady Grace whenever he wanted. His mother told me that when he was younger he used to close his eyes when he went to the park, because he couldn’t hear the birds or walk up and feed the ducks like the other children. But one act of kindness – to make the effort to lift this lad onto my boat – means that he can enjoy his life much more; we have made the impossible possible.”

New streams

Stacey works Lady Grace seven days a week for much of the year. “The only days I don’t work are Christmas Day and roughly 12 days in September when I go away for a holiday to recover from the school holidays,” she says. “And yes, I do spend my entire holiday on a boat!” But always busy, Stacey

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has now developed new income streams inspired by her boating business – as a photographer and author. “When I first started I knew the winter would be a difficult time but knew that the migratory birds and winter visitors would be key to keeping my business ticking along. Yet I didn’t know any of the birds wading amongst the mud or flying overhead – I had spent my life so focused on fishing with my dad, we never had time to learn the birds. So my first plan of action was to learn them for myself before taking passengers out. Trying to drive a boat while looking at birds through binoculars, noting down what colour their bill and legs are and making a mental picture of them, as well as trying to open a bird book and identify them at the same time, is quite some task. So I decided to get myself a camera to take photos of the birds, then I could have a look at the books when I got home to figure out what bird was what. After just a few months I had learnt all my resident and visiting birds, but what I hadn’t realised was just how engrossed I had become with my photographs of them, trying to get closer and more in-depth shots with unusual angles. Not only this, but I had also expanded my photographic subjects to landscapes, sunrises and sunsets – anything that caught my eye.” Now, customers are snapping up Stacey’s photos to grace the walls of their homes and businesses. “Hotels started asking for prints for their guestrooms, and one pub even had my photographs enlarged and printed onto a wallpaper over four metres long for the bar area,” she says Stacey’s determination to photograph birds at close quarters taught her a lot – “it turns out they are not just pooping machines, but they do indeed have very unique and quirky characteristics,” she says – and she began to make up little stories about them. With moral support from Scott she started converting the wildlife around her to characters within a story, “and before I knew it I had published my first books.” Stacey’s books – all have an educational element – are written on the boat whilst she waits for passengers. “I try to capture the smells of the salty

sea air and the sounds of the birds… sometimes I struggle to find the right descriptive words so I just sit with my eyes closed to reduce distractions and listen until the relevant word comes to mind,” she explains. Her next tome, Salty Tales of the Sea is a collection of short stories, whilst Stacey’s most recent publication was inspired by one of her off-thewater passions: baking. “I do love to bake – mainly sweet things, cakes and desserts – and make up new interesting recipes of my own, to then trial on my husband. All my successful recipes that have passed his testing stage are in Graceful Goodies, which I published before Christmas,” she says.

Working together

The Lady Grace works the waters of West Mersea alongside the launch service run by the local Yacht Club. “We work well together on the water,” Stacey says. “I offer assistance when they over-run, help out when their launches break down, run a late night ferry service to visiting yachtsmen and have recently trained the new launch drivers in their duties, assisting with moorings, etc.” But despite all her success, Stacey still finds the ‘stereotyping of being a female skipper’ one of her biggest challenges. “I am frequently asked if I know how to drive the boat – just because I am a woman,” she says. “Now, if someone asks me this question once they have got on board, I tell them that this is

Coastal Guide 2018

Lady Grace Number 10, as the previous nine either sank or crashed and had tragic endings. You should see their faces drop, too late – I’m already pulling away from the jetty so they can’t jump off! It’s not until we return to the jetty and I moor her up perfectly that they realise I’ve been having them on all the way round and that yes, I do in fact know how to drive a boat. As a female skipper you have to be twice as good as any male skipper to earn respect on the water. A few years back I did the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean course so that I could learn how to navigate by the sun and the stars – so not only do I have 30 years’ experience on the water, but I also have the qualifications and pieces of paper to prove I can do what I do.” Skippering Lady Grace has given Stacey reason to study for other qualifications too – she’s passionate about sharing her childhood experiences on the water with other children and has worked hard to gain a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge which, she explains: “states that I am not just a safe venue to take children, but that I am also an educational venue. I sat exams for my teaching assistant level 2 diploma, ADHD diploma, Autism Awareness diploma, Dyslexia diploma and my level 1, 2, 3 and 4 British Sign Language diplomas,” Stacey continues.

A new perspective

“The more I learnt about educating children, the more it made me want to learn more about how I could educate them even better, how I could use different techniques to engage with their different learning styles, to get the best out of each and every child on board without excluding anyone because of their disabilities or needs. Since doing these courses I have created my very own curriculum and syllabus personalised for the Lady Grace to educate children about our coastline – its history, geography, wildlife and much more – with fun activities like hauling lobster pots, naming clouds, bird spotting, labelling dried seaweeds, creatures and shells in the ‘stinky box’, along with my very own home-made

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dot-to-dots and word searches. I am so pleased to say that I now have over 100 school bookings for this year and I cannot wait to work with the children again – in just one hour you can change their whole perspective and attitude towards nature.” This summer, Stacey hopes to be out on the water in a new vessel too. “I have just rescued a 16ft double-ended Shetland sailing skiff from the scrap heap and I am giving her a makeover,” she says. “Her previous owner passed away and she was left rotting in the garden, so I have had new gunwales fitted, I have sanded and I am now in the final stages of painting her before I rig and hope to sail her this season in my spare time. It’s been probably 15-20 years since I have sailed so I am a little rusty… watch out in the evenings for Tiny Tim sailing amongst the creeks! •For more information on Lady Grace, Stacey’s books and her photography, log on to www.essexboattrips.co.uk. For the launch service for yachtsman call 07791 859624 or VHF channel 72, call sign Lady Grace.

“I love a good thunderstorm… the rumble across the sky, the crack of lightning lighting up overhead and the torrential downpours, with rain hitting the water with such force that the droplets bounce back up like hailstones hitting a road”

Coastal Guide 2018

Brian Kennell Boat Builder

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Melton Boatyard 04/04/2018 Dock Lane Melton Woodbridge IP12 1PE 01394 386327

Here at Melton Boatyard we pride ourselves on good, honest service. We are down to earth and, in a boating world increasingly full of shiny paint and expensive solutions, refreshingly straightforward. This is a traditional working boatyard, and we are proud of it. Our 30-berth marina is modestly priced and our floating berths stay full all summer, although we can usually accommodate short-term requests by moving our own small fleet to free up a berth. Long-standing customers become our friends and many have been here for years. Customers tell us they appreciate our friendly service, relaxed attitude and open approach. We are able to store 100 boats ashore and maintain a few swinging moorings and mud berths upon request.

Steel fabrication & repairs • Grit, sand & bead blasting • Mechanical & electrical engineering • Full yard services • Lay-up and lifts to & from transport • 40t lift, up to 75’ loa, 17’5 beam

info@meltonboatyard.co.uk www.meltonboatyard.co.uk 52 Coastal Guide 2018

07:40

The Dune House

Rooms with a view Nothing beats messing about on the water – but a holiday or overnight stay nearby comes close!

usy or laid-back, on-board or by the water’s edge… you name it, you’ll find it all in a holiday on the East Coast and its estuaries. When it comes to choosing a base for your next break the options are endless – we’ve found a few to help get you in the holiday mood… New for 2018, the Woolverstone Lodge Park offers luxury accommodation in a woodland setting, with exquisite attention to detail inside and a wealth of wildlife and walks right on the doorstep. A collection of two, three and four-bedroom lodges specially designed to extend Woolverstone Marina’s appeal as a destination for activities both on and off the water, the Park provides a unique

Woolverstone Lodge Park

environment in which couples, friends and families can unwind in style. The spacious open plan accommodation in each lodge includes WiFi and a flatscreen TV with Freeview/DVD for connectivity and entertainment, while the contemporary kitchen has a microwave, dishwasher, fridge/freezer and washing machine to make every stay hassle-free. Double doors lead to a balcony that offers a link to the outdoors and comes complete with a barbecue, while additional attractions include, in some lodges, a private hot tub. If you’re holidaying with little ones, travel cots and highchairs can be provided at no additional charge. And with some lodges accepting dogs too, no-one needs to miss out on the holiday fun. •www.woolverstonemarina.co.uk The Shipwreck Loft features seven individual rooms overlooking Shotley Marina at the confluence of the Rivers Orwell and Stour. Expect fascinating views of the shipping action at Felixstowe from the windows of your room or tasteful balcony, and watch the comings and goings of a vibrant marina and estuary. Available on a bed and breakfast basis, all rooms have king-sized beds and contemporary en-suite bathrooms with modern fittings, paying attention to details such as condensation-free mirrors. Coffee and Coastal Guide 2018

Woolverstone Lodge Park

The Shipwreck Loft Woolverstone Lodge Park

Beds on Board tea-making facilities are provided in each room (top, centre) – all of which are on the first floor, accessed by a flight of stairs only – along with television and WiFi. The popular Shipwreck Bar & Restaurant is conveniently close, too. Prices range from £90 for one night per couple to £80 for one night for single occupancy, with discounts for bookings of a longer duration. •www.shipwreckloft.co.uk For inside space that’s as stunning as the outside views, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything more mind-blowing than Living Architecture’s River Stourside property, A House for Essex (lower right). A collaboration between FAT Architecture and artist Grayson Perry, the house in Wrabness is home to specially-commissioned works exploring the unique qualities of Essex. Full of eccentricities, the interior features a number of Perry’s hand-made ceramic pots and tapestries depicting the fictional life of Julie Cope, an ‘Essex Everywoman’. Visitors pass through a series of unfolding spaces before entering the ‘chapel’ (top right), concealed behind two ‘hidden’ doors and organised around a striking decorative

54 Coastal Guide 2018

The Old Fisherman’s Hut object – part medieval rood screen, part baroque façade – that frames a ceramic statue of Julie herself. Upstairs the two bedrooms – with views to east and west – have walk-through cupboards that lead to internal balconies overlooking the chapel space. The exterior, clad in more than 1,900 green and white ceramic tiles, are cast from originals made by Perry, depicting Julie as mother and icon, along with symbols associated with her life. Perry describes the design of the house as “bonkers yet dignified” and says: “I hope the people who stay in the House for Essex find it playful yet monumental, cosy and maybe slightly disturbing. ” A House for Essex is available to rent on a short-term holiday basis, and can sleep up to four people in two bedrooms. Two or three-night stays are allocated by public ballot and prices range from £870 - £1850 depending on the duration and dates. Alternatively, enjoy 360-degree views of the sea

A House for Essex

and landscape from The Dune House, another of Living Architecture’s holiday properties. Located close to the picturesque village of Thorpeness, on the very edge of the Suffolk coast, this five-bedroom property (pictured on p53)is nestled among rolling dunes. Step from the living room directly onto the beach, or experience extraordinary panoramic views over the sea from the upper floor terraces, bedrooms and bathrooms. •www.living-architecture.co.uk The Little Ship Club has five cabins at its Thamesside HQ in the heart of London, and they are cabins in the true sense of the word. Each compact room is reminiscent of a classic yacht cabin and has a pair of bunk beds, a desk and wardrobe, a washbasin and a shower, while a shared WC is in the corridor close-by. Complimentary tea and coffee-making facilities

are provided, along with biscuits and a selection of breakfast bars. A full breakfast menu is offered in the Club room, along with the daily papers. The cabins are fully air-conditioned and have high speed WiFi. Access is 24/7 using members’ electronic access cards, and the highly competitive rate makes them a huge perk of membership – £65 a night single, £75 double. There’s £20 off at weekends and if you book four days you’ll get the fifth free. Annual membership fees for the Little Ship Club vary according to age, location and category, and the club currently offers a two-month trial membership for £75 which would allow booking of the Cabins for overnight accommodation. •www.littleshipclub.co.uk Members of The Cruising Association enjoy great value accommodation at CA House in Limehouse Basin, and from May to August this year there’s a 20 per cent discount on offer too. The discount means that single occupancy will cost £40 (normally Coastal Guide 2018

Beds on Board £50) and it’s just £52 (normally £65) for two people – fantastic value for a stay in one of the CA cabins which are all en-suite, the price includes a self-service breakfast of tea, coffee, bread, jams and cereals. Membership of The Cruising Association costs from £128.50 plus a £15 joining fee, and five- or 10-year discounted memberships are also available at £642.50 and £1285 respectively. The easiest way to apply is online – see the website for a downloadable Membership Application form. •www.theca.org.uk Beds on Board connects guests and owners for luxury stays on boats. A ‘sharing economy’ platform, the business offers guests new accommodation choices in stunning locations around the world and

gives the owners of all types of vessel the chance to make some money from their boats when they’d otherwise be unused. RYA Yachtmaster and former RNLI crew member Jason Ludlow founded the company with his brother Tim. “In the East Coast area we have over 50 boats in marinas and waterways including a beautiful motorboat next to the historic Chatham dockyard, a Dutch barge with amazing views of the River Stour and a B&B boat on the River Crouch,” says Tim. “These and many others are less than £40 per person per night, offering amazing value for couples looking to celebrate a special occasion, groups on an activity break and especially families looking for something a little different – the kids just love exploring their own bunk or cabin.” •www.bedsonboard.com

The architect-owners’ influence is evident everywhere in The Perch (below), set just back from the sands at Southwold. Full of light and with flashes of design brilliance, it’s a two-bedroom holiday home featuring an open plan layout finished off with sophistication. Boasting superb views across the Common to the townhouses that epitomise Southwold, The Perch is within walking distance, too, of the bustling Blackshore harbour. But the true beauty of this holiday hideaway is its proximity to the sea – take just a few steps across the dunes for an energising dip, or enjoy the sounds of the shore from the first-floor balcony which is positioned at just the right height to make you feel like you’re on the beach. To the rear, steps lead down from a decked area to a seaside-style garden with marsh vistas. •www.sosouthwold.co.uk Still in Southwold, The Old Fisherman’s Hut (pictured on the previous page) is perfect for a couple wanting a cosy holiday cottage. Uniquely located on the Blackshore, just a few steps from the River Blyth, it’s a peaceful hideaway and ideal for people-watching. Southwold’s busy harbour is home to a mix of working and leisure craft so there’s always something to see here, and Walberswick is a pleasant stroll away via either the nearby bridge or the town’s famous foot ferry. •www suffolk-secrets.co.uk

56 Coastal Guide 2018

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Coastal Guide 2018

AT YOUR

Entertainment and essentials...

No nav desk is complete without a copy of this essential cruising guide, updated in print in 2016 and online every year. Dating back to 1956 when legendary East Coast sailor Jack Coote produced the first black and white edition, East Coast Rivers retains the title of ‘yachtman’s bible’ even in its 20th issue. £34.99, Fernhurst Books

The North Sea has shaped the world in myriad ways, forged villains and heroes, and determined the fates of nations. Its beaches also gave birth to the seaside holiday, and generations of artists, poets and writers have been inspired by both its sparkling summer wave-tops and its winter storms. Tom Blass explores all these aspects of the North Sea, and more, in this beautifully researched and utterly riveting read. Telling stories from around the coastline, he’s created an enjoyable armchair voyage of discovery, full of detail and variety. £9.99, Bloomsbury

Hundreds of sailors have sailed horizontally around the world but only one person has ever sailed it vertically and alone: Adrian Flanagan. Here he tells the story of that remarkable voyage, an epic challenge during which he survived being washed overboard, capsizing and a close encounter with pirates. Gripping from the outset, it’s a tale full of humour and captures perfectly the author’s determination to succeed. £10,99, Adlard Coles.

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Nick Ardley takes us on a reflective journey between the Pools of Rochester and London, passing towns and villages that once gave tan-sailed barges building materials and food for the capital and exploring the marsh, mud and farmsteads along the way. This is the tale of a romantic trip along an ancient sea route, in which the author captures a sense of change on the Medway and the Thames... waters he describes as ‘mystical’. £18.99, Fonthill Media

LEISURE Fanatical paddler Mark Rainsley is dedicated to exploring every nook and cranny of the UK’s coast by sea kayak, but says there are many adventures to be had on the Thames, too, where ‘the water is clean, and the banks invariably green’. Follow his expert guidance and find out for yourself. £19.99, Pesda Press As every winter or spell of bad weather reminds us, the East Anglian coastline fights a constant battle with the elements. Here, biographer and social historian Stephen Wade tells the often heroic tale of how the communities along the coast here maintain their struggle with the sea, from early Neolithic times to the region’s very own Atlantis: the now-iconic, once thriving town of Dunwich. The story of a lost Norfolk and Suffolk, Wade also tells of his own discovery of the counties that have captivated him. £12.99, Pen and Sword History

There’s a certain timelessness about being close to the coast, and it’s captured perfectly in this ‘slow’ guide to Suffolk penned by locally-based author Laurence Mitchell. Capturing the ‘sense of place’ that he loves so much, he’s sought out the places that make Suffok special, suggesting ‘must-see’ sites and how best to travel between them. He also gets to the county’s heart, revealing its myths and traditions and telling the stories of the people who live here, as well as suggesting where to head for a taste of the region’s best produce. A perfect travel companion packed with insider-knowledge, this is far from a conventional guidebook; definitely a tome to keep handy at all times. £12.99, Bradt Travel Guides

uthor and journalist John McCarthy and Woodbridge-based film-maker Tim Curtis embark on a journey into the Deben’s fascinating past, tracing the entire length of the river from its disputed upper reaches down to the sea at Felixstowe Ferry and Bawdsey. A river that’s just over 25 miles long, the Deben is full of tranquil beauty and surrounded by ever-changing scenery, and this film explores the influence it’s had on those who have lived by it. Life on the Deben was made in association with the Woodbridge Riverside Trust which aims to conserve the maritime heritage of the river through community involvement. Two years in the making, it’s a movie that looks at some of the Deben’s famous boatbuilding, farming and fishing activities, and is sure to fascinate even those who think they know the river well. Available on DVD from £13.50. •www.lifeonthedeben.com

Coastal Guide 2018

the most helpful staff

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1 F O R 20

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Adventure for all

Sailing’s an experience everyone can enjoy – as two local charities are proving

raditional Thames Sailing Barges remain a somewhat common sight along parts of our coastline and within its rivers; whether under sail or at rest, they’re a much-loved reminder of times past when they played a vital role in ferrying cargo between ships and the London wharves, or along the shallow creeks of Essex and Kent. Today, those that survive ‘work’ the local waters in a different way, their cargoes more likely to be day-trippers or charter groups. But two Essex-based charities are working together to give a very special group of people a life-enhancing experience on the water: holidays for those living with dementia. Dementia Adventure is dedicated to supporting people to live well with dementia and have a sense of adventure in their lives. “We believe in the benefits to be gained from regular, active engagement with the natural world… we are committed to growing a charity that will enable people living with dementia and their carers to continue to live full, satisfying lives through

access to the outdoors and nature,” it says. A team of staff and volunteers enable Dementia Adventure to deliver adventures all over the UK and beyond including, since 2013, holidays afloat organised in conjunction with Maldon’s Sea-Change Sailing Trust, a charity that aims to make an impact on the lives of those who are disabled, disadvantaged and socially excluded. A spokesman from Dementia Adventure explains: “We have witnessed first-hand for years how much benefit people with dementia and their carers can derive from joining a group sailing trip – even if they have never sailed before. “When the Sea-Change Sailing Trust offered to host our groups on board back in 2013 we jumped at the chance, and have since run eight successful voyages with them. Once on board, the group become active members of the crew, and we aim to help everyone to achieve as much as they can during the voyage.” Sea-Change Sailing Trust supplies all the Coastal Guide 2018

necessary safety equipment including lifejackets and waterproofs, and the crew comprises a skipper, first mate and often a third hand, while the group operates in watches to sail the vessel and undertake deck work, helming, chart work/navigation, cooking and cleaning. “The feeling of camaraderie which develops naturally on a trip like this one can be brilliant, life-affirming and with long-lasting benefit,” says Dementia Adventure’s spokesman, while a member of crew from a 2014 trip adds: “All the people living with dementia who joined us showed improvement in coordination, speech, appetite and sleep patterns. Everybody benefits from positive stimulation, gentle exercise, being outside in nature, eating good food and being in good company – people living with dementia are absolutely no different!” This year’s five-day Dementia Adventure holiday takes place on board SB Reminder from 27-31 August and sets sail from Maldon for a voyage that should include time in the Walton Backwaters, Pin Mill on the River Orwell, Brightlingsea and Mersesa Island. •For more details of the trip and the two charities making it possible, log on to www.dementiaadventure.co.uk and www.seachangesailingtrust.org.uk

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Situated at the mouth of the River Blackwater, Essex, TSL’s natural marina provides yacht moorings, boat & mast lifts, winter storage and local access to associated services. Great for sailing too! Benefits include;        

Hardstanding area Access to our new and improved maintenance posts Access to water and electricity Located just 15 minutes from the A12 Coded Toilet and shower block for customer use only Private parking Recycling, rubbish and chemical wash out facilities Local chandlery, tea room and other amenities

Range of half-tide berths available Join our friendly, welcoming community

Find out more, visit

TSL-ONLINE.CO.UK .

Mob: 07521 318155 Tel: 01621 868113 E-mail: info@tsl-online.co.uk Coastal Guide 2018

Situated on the picturesque Blackwater estuary Ideal for exploring the river and other east coast estuaries All visitors are welcome There is no lock or sill and the Marina is accessible at nearly all states of the tide for shallow draft boats. Deeper draft vessels must exercise caution at low water especially during spring tides, as the navigable channel in Bradwell Creek becomes shallow. The Marina basin itself is dredged each year to give a minimum depth of 7ft at low water springs. The yacht basin is well sheltered having been excavated behind the sea wall.

• 350 berths • Electricity and water on the pontoons • Diesel and super unleaded • Bottled gas • Open 7 days a week 08:30-17:00 • 45-ton boat hoist • Self-launch slipway • Clubhouse/restaurant • Large hardstanding with electricity • Laundry facilities We listen on VHF channels 37 and 80

For berthing and general enquires please phone on 01621 or email arthur@bradwellmarina.com

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info@boatrepairsessex.co.uk www.boatrepairsessex.co.uk 64 Coastal Guide 2018

The Nancy Blackett and Arthur Ransome’s East Coast Last year saw the 50th anniversary of Arthur Ransome’s death, and 80 years since the publication of his book, ‘We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea’. Peter Willis explains how the author’s legacy continues to be preserved through his historic yacht

rthur Ransome’s Nancy Blackett is a familiar sight sailing on the Orwell – the same river Ransome himself sailed her in the 1930s. Not only did he sail her here – he also put her, the river itself, and Pin Mill in particular into one of the best of his Swallows and Amazons books, We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea. And, amazingly, you too can sail this historic yacht, thanks to the Nancy Blackett Trust which preserves and maintains her in order to keep her sailing. The story of Nancy Blackett began in 1935 when Arthur Ransome and his Russian-born wife Evgenia moved here in search of some sea sailing after years of dinghies in the Lake District. They very much

did mean to go to sea, and Arthur promptly began looking for a boat to sail. He found one in Poole Harbour, renamed her Nancy Blackett after the heroine of Swallows and Amazons, and sailed her back to Pin Mill, through some atrocious weather. It all served to inspire the book, in which Nancy Blackett appears as the Goblin, the “little white cutter with red sails” that we meet right at the beginning, coming up the river towards Pin Mill. Her skipper, Jim Brading, is planning to have ‘breakfast’ (it’s evening) at the Butt and Oyster. The four children, the ‘Swallows’, who somehow end up having to sail the Goblin to Holland by themselves, are staying, with their mother and younger sister, at Alma Cottage, run by Miss Powell, next door. Coastal Guide 2018

Nancy Blackett’s presence on the river now is the result of her own real-life adventure story. She was found in the 1980s, lying near-derelict in Scarborough Harbour, by a local man Mike Rines, who persuaded her owner to sell her, loaded her onto a lorry and brought her to Fox’s boatyard to be restored. Later on, in 1997 the Nancy Blackett Trust was set up to purchase and preserve her, and make her available for anyone to sail. Volunteer skippers sail her safely, and members of the Trust of nearly all ages, and all levels of sailing skill – including none – get to sail her, for short trips on the River, and longer voyages, sleeping aboard. She’s also inspired renewed interest in Ransome’s connection with this area where he set two books (the other one is Secret Water). There are now Ransome-related information boards around the area, and an Arthur Ransome Trail, as part of the Stour and Orwell path, along the river, following the course of the Goblin’s sail down the Orwell in Chapter Four of We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea, from Pin Mill to the Bristol Arms at Shotley, In fact the whole area has now come to be known as Arthur Ransome’s East Coast. Last summer Nancy sailed to Holland (right), as

Nancy Blackett is 28ft 6in long, plus the 10ft bowsprit. She’s been painstakingly restored to make sure she is just as Ransome would have known her, and as the Goblin is described in the book: “I say, just look down,” said Titty. They looked down into the cabin of the little ship, at blue mattresses on bunks on either side, at a little table with a chart tied down on it with string… a little white sink opposite the tiny galley where a saucepan of water was simmering on one of the two burners of a little cooking stove. She has various open days throughout the summer, at Woolverstone and elsewhere, so come and see her and find out more about how this humble Hillyard 7-tonner became one of the most famous boats in fiction. And if you’d like to sail her yourself, just join the Nancy Blackett Trust; it’s not expensive, and you can book a day-sail or a longer passage. •You’ll find more details on the website www.nancyblackett.org, or call 01394 387907.

the Goblin did in We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea, and spent eight weeks there, giving over 30 members the chance to explore the Dutch waterways. This year her sailing plans include voyages both up and down our East Coast, to Lowestoft and the Broads, and down to Chatham and up the Thames.

espected sailor and writer Peter Willis will be forever known as founder and President of the Nancy Blackett Trust, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. His book Good Little Ship explores the themes of Ransome’s rite-of-passage novel We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea, and how it came to be written. Part maritime history, part literary criticism – and a joyous homage throughout – it’s an impeccably-researched tale of the life, near-death, rescue and restoration of the Nancy Blackett and a thoroughly engrossing read, whether you’re a lifelong lover of Ransome’s works, or only just discovering them for the first time. Photographs add life to the story, while Ransome’s drawings and own account of a voyage in her – as well as brief details of his other boats – mean this is a must-have for lovers of both boats and literature. Good Little Ship is published in paperback by Lodestar Books, £14. •www.nancyblackett.org

66 Coastal Guide 2018

- See... Sail... Support Arthur Ransome’s

NANCY BLACKETT Owned by the author of Swallows and Amazons The real-life Goblin from ‘We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea’

in Swe u es Ri atSwa ve e an r r d Su side sllowc nd C assr w ay in au w w. Ap emaRandise riv r er 19t WonsAmth sid h od o a e e. - 3 br m zo s c o p m id e n a g ! s .

Rescued, restored and now preserved and maintained by the Nancy Blackett Trust

www.nancyblackett.org - 0117 962 1802

Day, overnight or longer cruising. Based on the River Orwell

Joining the Trust entitles you to enjoy this unique sailing experience. One low membership subscription covers the whole family. Skippered sailing: cost contribution applies - but children sail free!

Coastal Guide 2018

Your water taxi awaits

Enjoy a ferry ride this summer – there are plenty to choose from along our coastline

he rivers and estuaries along the East Coast mean that an age-old form of transport remains vital even today. Our region is home to a number of ferry services – some motorised, some very much as they’ve always been: powered by sheer strength and determination. Here we suggest a few you might like to try this summer… There’s a new boat in service on the historic passenger ferry that runs between Southwold and Walberswick. The tradition of a ferry across the River Blyth dates back to 1236, and last year the family that has run the crossing service for five generations launched its first new vessel in 20 years: Boy Charlie, built at the International Boat Building Training College in Lowestoft. The Southwold-Walberswick Ferry runs from 10am until 5pm at weekends until 26 May, then daily until 30 September. •www.walberswickferry.com The Rivers Stour and Orwell create a natural boundary between the towns of Harwich in Essex and Shotley and Felixstowe in Suffolk. Shuttling between the three is the Harwich Harbour Ferry, carrying up to 58 passengers across a waterway that’s busy with shipping traffic. The Harwich Harbour Ferry operates until 28 October, and its owners also offer 90-minute seal-watching trips to the National Nature Reserve at Hamford Water. •www.harwichharbourferry.com A picture of elegance, MV Terrier runs the length of Lake Lothing, transporting passengers in style between Oulton Broad – the gateway to the Broads National Park – and the seaside town of Lowestoft. The Lowestoft Ferry operates every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday until

68 Coastal Guide 2018

the end of September, and seven days a week during school holidays. •www.lowestoftferry.co.uk Dating back to the 16th century, Butley Ferry is one of the oldest in the UK. The volunteer ferrymen of the Alde & Ore Association row cyclists and walkers across Butley Creek from Easter until the last Sunday in October on weekends and Bank Holidays, weather permitting. •www.aldeandore.org A custom-built foot ferry provides an important link between the communities of Brightlingsea, Point Clear and East Mersea, as well as offering harbour, nature and pub lunch cruises to Wivenhoe. •www.brightlingseaharbour.org

The Bawdsey Ferry doubles up as a water taxi for boat owners needing transport to yachts moored on the River Deben. The historic ferry runs across the Deben between Bawdsey and Felixstowe Ferry, a hamlet popular for its welcoming pub, friendly sailing club and selection of cafes and fishmongers. The service runs from Easter until October and is an optional part of the Suffolk Coast Path and Regional Cycle Route. •www.bawdseyferry.co.uk

on Lake Lothing LOWESTOFT FERRY

O EST

W LO

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Tripswww.lowestoftferry.co.uk & Excursions on Lake Lothing www.lowestoftferry.co.uk

Coastal Guide 2018

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familiar sight to those who use the East Coast regularly, Essex Police Marine Unit is charged with keeping our coastline, estuaries, craft and equipment safe. Based in Station Road, Burnham, the unit is responsible for all tidal waters under British jurisdiction and within the Essex Police area – that’s around 350 square miles from the furthest point in Mistley near to Manningtree to just past the Dartford Crossing on the River Thames, plus 12 miles out in the North Sea. Officers patrol in two vessels – the Alert IV which is a 42ft Halmatic launch capable of 25kts and has a range of 350 miles, and Sentinel which is a 24ft Halmatic Rib capable of doing 45kts – their mission: to carry out ‘stop’ checks and gather intelligence. “Patrols go out most days of the year to detect crime on the water and deal with safety issues regarding leisure and commercial craft; they also enforce local byelaws, support the successful prosecution of owners operating craft at excess speed or in a dangerous manner, intercept drugs, escort warships, work with outside agencies to tackle terrorism and organised crime, enforce event safety zones and attend medical emergencies,” says S/PC Toby Speller. “Many vessels move between the mainland and continental Europe, with minimal legislation in place to regulate their movements. Without

our presence it would be fair to say that the small ports within our area would be totally un-policed border crossing points.” The Unit is responsible for the gathering of intelligence from the maritime community – which effectively means the owners and users all of pleasure craft such as yachts and powered vessels that are found within the marinas, harbours and waterways of Essex. “Officers visit 80-plus marinas where they liaise with Harbour Masters and those involved in the day-to-day running of the facilities, as well as the many thousands of people who use the waters in and around the region,” explains S/PC Speller. “In addition to the pleasure craft, we also have very close ties with smaller commercial vessels such as the pilot boats, fishermen and offshore wind-farm workers.” Currently, organised crime, people-smuggling and marine-related theft are the major issues dealt with by the Unit. “As well as officers making regular patrols and being out the water, the website www.stolenboats.org.uk is supported by Essex Police in a bid to combat boat and engine thefts in particular. Owners can register their boats and marine equipment and prospective buyers can check the site in order to make sure a boat or item they want to buy is not stolen,” explains S/PC Speller.

Watching our waters Essex Police Marine Unit is a force to be reckoned with…

Coastal Guide 2018

. Another main element of the Unit’s work is its Marine Watch scheme. The equivalent of Neighbourhood Watch but on water, it offers support and reassurance to those who use the waterways in and around the region, as well as helping to prevent and reduce marine crime and improve officers’ relationships with people in the marine community. Further-reaching, Project Kraken is a National Crime Agency, Police and Border Force initiative to increase vigilance along the UK’s coastline and maritime environment, a joint effort to combat maritime threats by encouraging members of the public to report anything that they believe to be suspicious. “There are nearly 20,000 miles of coastline, and a complex network of estuaries, navigable rivers, coves, inlets, ports and harbours, all of which can be exploited by serious criminals and terrorists,” says S/PC Speller. “We want the public to report any unusual or suspicious behaviour in these and other maritime environments. No matter how trivial it may seem, if it looks out of the ordinary, we want to know about it.” Officers from the NCA, Border Force and police carry out various activities around the country,

72 Coastal Guide 2018

visiting local maritime communities and attending events to let the public know what to look out for and how they can help. “The help we receive from the public and our partners gives us greater intelligence on how serious criminals and terrorists exploit the coast and waterways,” says S/PC Speller. “We can use this to pursue and disrupt them, and help the general maritime community deal effectively with threats.” Examples of what to look for include: • Vessel crew who show signs of nervousness or a lack of awareness of maritime protocols and customs • Vessels showing signs of unusual modification or minor damage • Increased activity at isolated coastal locations or at unusual times of the day • Attempts to signal to vessels offshore or guide them into an unusual location • Strange patterns of payment, such as large amounts of cash • People testing site security or an unusual interest in site structures and wharves •Contact Essex Police Marine Unit on 01621 782121 or by email at marineu@essex.pnn. police.uk. In an emergency always dial 999.

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Boat Yard Boat Builders Repairers 74 Coastal Guide 2018

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COASTAL EVENTS From Event Location Contact 28-Apr Fireball Open Blackwater Sailing Club blackwatersailingclub.org.uk 28-Apr

Rocket Silver Tiller Open

Aldeburgh Yacht Club

aldeburghyc.org.uk

28-Apr

Open Dinghy Event

Royal Burnham Yacht Club

rbyc.org.uk

29-Apr

Improver’s sailing course

Deben Yacht Club

debenyachtclub.co.uk

01-May

East of England indoor rowing championships

Holbrook, Ipswich

altonrowingclub.com

05-May

Pattinson Cup

Burnham-on-Crouch to West Mersea

eaora.org.uk

05-May

Gillingham Used Boat Show

Gillingham Marina

clarkeandcarter.co.uk

05-May

Spring Regatta

Norfolk Broads Yacht Club

nbyc.co.uk

05-May

Open Regatta

Coldham Hall Sailing Club

coldhamhallsailingclub.co.uk

05-May

Finn Open

Harwich Town Sailing Club

htsc.co.uk

05-May

Improver’s sailing course

Deben Yacht Club

debenyachtclub.co.uk

05-May

CA Rally

Royal Harwich Yacht Club

royalharwichyachtclub.co.uk

05-May

Push the Boat Out

Blackwater Sailing Club

blackwatersailingclub.org.uk

05-May

Aldeburgh Marine Antiques and Boat Jumble

Aldeburgh Boatyard

aldeburghboatyard.co.uk

05-May

Push the Boat Out

Eyott Sailing Club

eyottsailingclub.org.uk

05-May

British Moth Open

Cam Sailing Club

camsailingclub.org.uk

05-May

Squib Gold Cup

Royal Corinthian Yacht Club

royalcorinthian.co.uk

05-May

RS700 Open Meeting Snetfest

Snettisham Beach Sailing Club

snetbeach.co.uk

05-May

Wayfarer Spring Series

Medway Yacht Club

medwayyachtclub.com

05-May

Horning Boat Show

Horning, Norfolk

nya.co.uk

06-May

Push the Boat Out

Clacton on Sea Sailing Club

clactonsailingclub.org.uk

06-May

Spring Open Regatta

Hickling Broad Sailing Club

hicklingbroad.com

06-May

RNLI Clacton Open Day

Clacton-on-Sea Lifeboat Station

clactonlifeboat.org.uk

06-May

Push the Boat Out

St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing

westsuffolksailing.org.uk

06-May

Ralph Herring Race

West Mersea to Burnham-on-Crouch

eaora.org.uk

11-May

RORC North Sea Race

Harwich to Scheveningen

eaora.org.uk

12-May

Push the Boat Out

Cam Sailing Club

camsailingclub.org.uk Coastal Guide 2018

COASTAL EVENTS From Event Location Contact 12-May

Push the Boat Out

Blakeney Sailing Club

blakeneysailing.co.uk

12-May

Push the Boat Out

Royal Corinthian Yacht Club

royalcorinthian.co.uk

12-May Open Day Wilsonian Sailing Club wilsoniansc.org.uk 12-May

Harwich Pursuit Race

Dabchicks Sailing Club

dabchicks.org

13-May

Push the Boat Out

Aldeburgh Yacht Club

aldeburghyc.org.uk

13-May

Turnidge River Race

Leigh on Sea Sailing Club

leighsailingclub.org

13-May

Granta Cup & Cam Cup

Cam Sailing Club

camsailingclub.org.uk

13-May

Push the Boat Out

Snettisham Beach Sailing Club

snetbeach.co.uk

13-May

Luxury Day Sail

Ipswich, Suffolk

vikingmariners.co.uk

18-May

Fox’s Open Weekend

Fox’s Marina and Boatyard, Ipswich

foxsmarina.com

19-May

Seafly Class Association Nationals

Blakeney Sailing Club

blakeneysailing.co.uk

19-May

RYA Push The Boat Out

Walton and Frinton Yacht Club

wfyc.co.uk

19-May

Sharpie Open

Overy Staithe Sailing Club

overystaithesc.org.uk

19-May

Summer Regatta

Northern Rivers Sailing Club

thenrsc.com

19-May

Push the Boat Out

Gravesend Sailing Club

gravesendsailingclub.co.uk

19-May

Push the Boat Out

Medway Yacht Club

medwayyachtclub.com

19-May

Brundall Boat Show

Brundall, Norfolk

nya.co.uk

19-May

Crab & Lobster Festival

Cromer, Norfolk

crabandlobsterfestival.co.uk

19-May

Seafly Class Association Nationals

Blakeney Sailing Club

blakeneysailing.co.uk

20-May

Push the Boat Out

Ouse Amateur Sailing Club

oasc.co.uk

20-May

Hanse Regatta & Festival

King’s Lynn

klcrc.club

20-May

Push the Boat Out

Erith Yacht Club

erithyachtclub.org.uk

20-May

Blessing & Reclaiming of the Waters

Brightlingsea, Essex

cinqueportliberty.co.uk

20-May Sea Kayaking Brancaster, Norfolk thecanoeman.com 23-May Sunset Cruise Maldon, Essex top-sail.co.uk 24-May

Secrets of the Blackwater day sail

Maldon, Essex

top-sail.co.uk

25-May

Cadet Regatta

Thames Estuary Yacht Club

teyc.co.uk

76 Coastal Guide 2018

COASTAL EVENTS From Event Location Contact 26-May

Youth Topper & Optimist Summer Mini Series

Cam Sailing Club

camsailingclub.org.uk

26-May

Whitsun Regatta

Royal Burnham Yacht Club

rbyc.org.uk

26-May

Squib East Coast Championship

Royal Burnham Yacht Club

rbyc.org.uk

26-May

Dart 18 Open Event

Snettisham Beach Sailing Club

snetbeach.co.uk

26-May

Mayland Regatta

Harlow Blackwater Sailing Club

harlow-blackwater-sailing-club.co.uk

26-May

Spring Regatta

Aldeburgh Yacht Club

aldeburghyc.org.uk

26-May

Push the Boat Out

Marconi Sailing Club

marconi-sc.org.uk

27-May

Spring Regatta

Southwold Sailing Club

southwoldsc.org

27-May

Spring Cup

St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing

westsuffolksailing.org.uk

27-May Houghton Cup Burnham-on-Crouch rbyc.org.uk 28-May

Push the Boat Out

Stour Sailing Club

stoursailingclub.co.uk

29-May Cadet Week Stone Sailing Club stonesailingclub.org.uk 29-May

Whitsun Junior Week

Waveney & Oulton Broad Yacht Club

wobyc.com

01-Jun

Open Day

Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club

bssc.net

02-Jun

Three Rivers Race

Horning Sailing Club

horning-sailing.club

02-Jun

National Sprint Regatta

Chelmsford Canoe Club

chelmsfordcanoeclub.co.uk

02-Jun Regatta Brightlingsea Sailing Club sailbrightlingsea.com 02-Jun

Seavets Windsurf Regatta

Stone Sailing Club

stonesailingclub.org.uk

02-Jun Brightlingsea Town Regatta Brightlingsea sailbrightlingsea.com 03-Jun

Beginners Sailing Course

Deben Yacht Club

debenyachtclub.co.uk

09-Jun

River Cruisers Open

Norfolk Punt Club

puntclub.co.uk

09-Jun

Hurricane Catamaran Event

Clacton Sailing Club

clactonsailingclub.org.uk

09-Jun

Merlin Fireball & Albacore Open

Brightlingsea Sailing Club

sailbrightlingsea.com

09-Jun

SYH Classic Regatta

Suffolk Yacht Harbour

syharbour.co.uk

09-Jun

Marina Day

Woolverstone Marina, Suffolk

mdlmarinas.co.uk

09-Jun

Harty Ferry Race

Leigh on Sea Sailing Club

leighsailingclub.org

09-Jun

Shearwater Open Meeting

Stone Sailing Club

stonesailingclub.org.uk Coastal Guide 2018

COASTAL EVENTS From Event Location Contact 09-Jun

Janeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup

Burnham-on-Crouch to Medway

medwayyachtclub.com

09-Jun

Shearwater Open meeting

Stone Sailing Club

stonesailingclub.org.uk

09-Jun

British Keelboat League Qualifier

Royal Corinthian Yacht Club

royalcorinthian.co.uk

09-Jun

Regatta

Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club

rnsyc.net

09-Jun

Phantom, Streaker & K1 Open Meeting

Waveney & Oulton Broad Yacht Club

wobyc.com

10-Jun

Mars Marathon

St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing

westsuffolksailing.org.uk

10-Jun

Laser Trophy

St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing

westsuffolksailing.org.uk

10-Jun

Suffolk Rivers Cruise

Ipswich, Suffolk

top-sail.co.uk

10-Jun

RYA VHF/DSC Radio Course

Woolverstone, Suffolk

shearwatersailingschool.co.uk

10-Jun

Thames Estuary Shield

Medway to Burnham-on-Crouch

royalcorinthian.co.uk

13-Jun

Mid Summer Regatta

Leigh on Sea Sailing Club

leighsailingclub.org

15-Jun

Dragon Classic & Vintage Championships

Aldeburgh Yacht Club

aldeburghyc.org.uk

15-Jun

OCA East Area Championship

Dabchicks Sailing Club

dabchicks.org

16-Jun

Sharpie National Championships

Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club

bssc.net

16-Jun

Sea Cadets District Rowing Regatta

St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing

westsuffolksailing.org.uk

16-Jun

White Boat Open

Norfolk Punt Club

puntclub.co.uk

16-Jun

GP14 & Enterprise Open Meeting

Leigh on Sea Sailing Club

leighsailingclub.org

16-Jun

Rowing Festival

Stour Sailing Club

stoursailingclub.co.uk

16-Jun

Classic Boat Festival

Aldeburgh Yacht Club

aldeburghyc.org.uk

17-Jun

Dinghy Cruise with Old Gaffers Association

Walton and Frinton Yacht Club

wfyc.co.uk

17-Jun

Woodbridge Regatta Junior, Handicap & Yacht Races

Deben Yacht Club

debenyachtclub.co.uk

17-Jun

Estuary Race

Thames Estuary Yacht Club

teyc.co.uk

17-Jun

Laser Open

Waldringfield Sailing Club

waldringfieldsc.com

17-Jun

King of the Rivers Race

Medway Yacht Club

medwayyachtclub.com

18-Jun

Sundowner Week

Dabchicks Sailing Club

dabchicks.org

78 Coastal Guide 2018

www.coastal.events

COASTAL EVENTS From Event Location Contact 21-Jun EAORA Offshore Regatta North Sea eaora.org.uk 23-Jun

Barge Match

Pin Mill Sailing Club

pmsc.org.uk

23-Jun

Nore Race

Benfleet Yacht Club

benfleetyachtclub.org

23-Jun

Waveney Championships

Waveney & Oulton Broad Yacht Club

wobyc.com

23-Jun

Centenary Regatta

West Mersea Yacht Club

wmyc.org.uk

23-Jun

Wallet Shield Race

Wivenhoe Sailing Club

wivenhoesailing.org.uk

23-Jun Southwold Arts Festival Southwold southwoldartsfestival.co.uk 23-Jun

Wayfarer L’Escargot Open Meeting

Aldeburgh Yacht Club

aldeburghyc.org.uk

23-Jun

Regatta Weekend

Waldringfield Sailing Club

waldringfieldsc.com

24-Jun

Darell’s Day

Landguard Fort, Felixstowe

landguard.com

24-Jun Half-Day Sail Ipswich, Suffolk vikingmariners.co.uk 24-Jun Bittern Open Norfolk Punt Club puntclub.co.uk 30-Jun

Horning SC Keelboat weekend

Horning Sailing Club

horning-sailing.club

30-Jun

Snipe and National 18 Open Meeting

Blackwater Sailing Club

blackwatersailingclub.org.uk

30-Jun

Harwich Regatta

Harwich Town Sailing Club

htsc.co.uk

30-Jun

Norfolk Punt Open

Norfolk Punt Club

puntclub.co.uk

30-Jun Rowhedge Regatta Rowhedge, Essex rowhedgeregatta.co.uk 30-Jun

Smacks & Working Boats Race

Pin Mill Sailing Club

pmsc.org.uk

30-Jun Iken Race Aldeburgh Yacht Club aldeburghyc.org.uk 30-Jun

Cadet Open

Waldringfield Sailing Club

waldringfieldsc.com

01-Jul

Dover Used Boat Show

Dover Marina

clarkeandcarter.co.uk

01-Jul

Offshore Challenge Cup

Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club

rnsyc.net

01-Jul

Sizewell Buoy Race

Southwold Sailing Club

southwoldsc.org

07-Jul

National Sprint Regatta

Chelmsford Canoe Club

chelmsfordcanoeclub.co.uk

07-Jul

Round the Gunfleet race

Wivenhoe Sailing Club

wivenhoesailing.org.uk

07-Jul

Blackwater Barge Match

Maldon Little Ship Club

www.mlsc.org.uk

07-Jul

Round the Island Race

Island Sailing Club, Cowes

roundtheisland.org.uk Coastal Guide 2018

COASTAL EVENTS From Event Location Contact 07-Jul

21-mile race

The Stour Sailing Club

stoursailingclub.co.uk

07-Jul

Sea Cadetsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; District Sailing Regatta

St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing

westsuffolksailing.org.uk

07-Jul

Montgomery Race

Medway Yacht Club

medwayyachtclub.com

08-Jul

Dudley Keys Memorial Trophy

Ouse Amateur Sailing Club

oasc.co.uk

08-Jul

East Coast Piers Race

Marconi Sailing Club

marconi-sc.org.uk

10-Jul

Caulking: 2-day course

International Boatbuilding Training College ibtc.co.uk

14-Jul

RS600 Open Event

Marconi Sailing Club

marconi-sc.org.uk

14-Jul

Summer Weekend Regatta

Waveney and Oulton Broad Yacht Club

wobyc.com

14-Jul

Hornet Open Meeting

Stone Sailing Club

stonesailingclub.org.uk

14-Jul

Solo sub 4000 Championship

Leigh on Sea Sailing Club

leighsailingclub.org

14-Jul Regatta Stour Sailing Club stoursailingclub.co.uk 14-Jul

Ancient Mariners Race

West Mersea Yacht Club

wmyc.org.uk

14-Jul

Medway Dinghy Regatta

Wilsonian Sailing Club

wilsoniansc.org.uk

14-Jul

K6 Open Meeting

Aldeburgh Yacht Club

aldeburghyc.org.uk

15-Jul

National 18 Championships

West Mersea Yacht Club

wmyc.org.uk

15-Jul

Laser Open Race

Shotley Sailing Club

sailingclub.shotleygate.com

15-Jul

Solo Open Meeting

Leigh on Sea Sailing Club

leighsailingclub.org

17-Jul

Splicing & Ropework: 2-day course

International Boatbuilding Training College ibtc.co.uk

19-Jul

Medway Regatta

Medway Yacht Club

medwayyachtclub.com

21-Jul

Summer Regatta

West Mersea Yacht Club

wmyc.org.uk

21-Jul

Summer Regatta: White Sail

Dabchicks Sailing Club

dabchicks.org

21-Jul

Amazon Cup

Brightlingsea to Ramsgate

colneyachtclub.org.uk

22-Jul

Regatta Week

Harlow Blackwater Sailing Club

harlow-blackwater-sailing-club.co.uk

22-Jul Round the Goodwins Ramsgate eaora.org.uk 23-Jul Cadet Week Colne Yacht Club colneyachtclub.org.uk 27-Jul Felixstowe Carnival Felixstowe, Suffolk felixstowecarnival.org 27-Jul Wells Carnival Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk wellscarnival.co.uk

80 Coastal Guide 2018

COASTAL EVENTS From Event Location Contact 28-Jul

Wayfarer Eastern Championships

Waldringfield Sailing Club

waldringfieldsc.com

28-Jul

Pyefleet Week

Brightlingsea Sailing Club

sailbrightlingsea.com

28-Jul North West Norfolk Week Norfolk norfolkweek.co.uk 28-Jul

Cadet Week

Benfleet Yacht Club

benfleetyachtclub.org

28-Jul Regatta Week Deben Yacht Club debenyachtclub.co.uk 28-Jul

Junior Lapwing Weekend

Aldeburgh Yacht Club

aldeburghyc.org.uk

28-Jul Sheringham Carnival Sheringham, Norfolk sheringhamcarnival.com 29-Jul

Doctors’ Cup & Ladies Cup

Cam Sailing Club

camsailingclub.org.uk

29-Jul

Harwich Sea Festival

Harwich

facebook.com/HarwichSeaFestival

29-Jul

Enterprise Trophy

St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing

westsuffolksailing.org.uk

29-Jul

Stour Passage Race

Harwich Town Sailing Club

htsc.co.uk

29-Jul Half-Day Sail Ipswich, Suffolk vikingmariners.co.uk 30-Jul

Optimist & Topper Youth Training Week

Cam Sailing Club

camsailingclub.org.uk

30-Jul

Wroxham Week

Norfolk Broads Yacht Club

nbyc.co.uk

30-Jul

Cadet Week

West Mersea Yacht Club

wmyc.org.uk

30-Jul

Unicorn Nationals

Stone Sailing Club

stonesailingclub.org.uk

30-Jul Regatta Horning Sailing Club horning-sailing.club 30-Jul Cadet Week Dabchicks Sailing Club dabchicks.org 30-Jul Cadet Week Marconi Sailing Club marconi-sc.org.uk 03-Aug

Junior Regatta

Orford Sailing Club

orfordsail.org.uk

04-Aug

Summer Regatta

Hickling Broad Sailing Club

hicklingbroad.com

04-Aug

Fox’s Two Rivers

Fox’s Marina Yacht Club

fmyc.org.uk

04-Aug Lifeboat Day RNLI Happisburgh, Norfolk rnlihappisburgh.org.uk 04-Aug

Open Day

Walton & Frinton Yacht Club

wfyc.co.uk

04-Aug

Cruiser Regatta Race

Wivenhoe Sailing Club

wivenhoesailing.org.uk

04-Aug River Day Sail Ipswich, Suffolk vikingmariners.co.uk 05-Aug

Family & Social Sailing

Ardleigh Sailing Club

ardleighsc.co.uk Coastal Guide 2018

COASTAL EVENTS From Event Location Contact 05-Aug

Dinghy Regatta Race

Wivenhoe Sailing Club

wivenhoesailing.org.uk

06-Aug

Cadet Week

Snettisham Beach Sailing Club

snetbeach.co.uk

07-Aug

Sea Week

Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club

rnsyc.net

10-Aug

Cadet Week

Waldringfield Sailing Club

waldringfieldsc.com

10-Aug Cadet Week Tollesbury Sailing Club tollesburysc.com 11-Aug Regatta Orford Sailing Club orfordsail.org.uk 11-Aug

Blaze Open Meeting

Stone Sailing Club

stonesailingclub.org.uk

11-Aug Regatta Blackwater Sailing Club blackwatersailingclub.org.uk 11-Aug Cromer Carnival Cromer, Norfolk cromercarnival.co.uk 11-Aug

East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival

Oulton Broad, Lowestoft

dragonboatfestivals.co.uk

12-Aug

Cadet Week

Royal Burnham Yacht Club

rbyc.org.uk

12-Aug

Round the Island Race

West Mersea Yacht Club

wmyc.org.uk

12-Aug

Have a Go sessions

St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing

westsuffolksailing.org.uk

12-Aug

Long Distance Race

Harwich Town Sailing Club

htsc.co.uk

12-Aug Club Week Blackwater Sailing Club blackwatersailingclub.org.uk 13-Aug

Walton Dinghy Week

Walton & Frinton Yacht Club

wfyc.co.uk

14-Aug

Traditional Rigging & Wirework: 3-day course

International Boatbuilding Training College ibtc.co.uk

18-Aug

Town Regatta: Dinghy Racing

West Mersea Yacht Club

wmyc.org.uk

18-Aug Ipswich Maritime Festival Ipswich ipswichentertains.co.uk 18-Aug

Cobmarsh Regatta

Dabchicks Sailing Club

dabchicks.org

18-Aug

Morston Regatta

Blakeney Sailing Club

blakeneysailing.co.uk

18-Aug

Aldeburgh Olde Marine Regatta & Carnival

Aldeburgh, Suffolk

aldeburghcarnival.com

18-Aug

Norfolk Punt Championships

Norfolk Punt Club

puntclub.co.uk

19-Aug

Oulton Week

Waveney & Oulton Broad Yacht Club

wobyc.com

20-Aug

Sailing Week

Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club

bssc.net

20-Aug

Sonata Nationals

Medway Yacht Club

medwayyachtclub.com

21-Aug

Aldeburgh Regatta

Aldeburgh Yacht Club

aldeburghyc.org.uk

82 Coastal Guide 2018

COASTAL EVENTS From Event Location Contact 23-Aug Clacton Air Show Clacton, Essex clactonairshow.com 24-Aug

Cadet Regatta

Thames Estuary Yacht Club

teyc.co.uk

25-Aug

Founderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup

Northern Rivers Sailing Club

thenrsc.com

25-Aug Burnham Week Burnham, Essex burnhamweek.com 25-Aug

Dragonfly World Championships

Waldringfield Sailing Club

waldringfieldsc.com

25-Aug

Cadet Week

Walton & Frinton Yacht Club

wfyc.co.uk

25-Aug Wells Regatta Wells Sailing Club wellssailingclub.co.uk 25-Aug

August Regatta

Harlow Blackwater Sailing Club

harlow-blackwater-sailing-club.co.uk

25-Aug

August Regatta

Southwold Sailing Club

southwoldsc.org

25-Aug Regatta Norfolk Punt Club puntclub.co.uk 26-Aug

Novice Trophy

Northern Rivers Sailing Club

thenrsc.com

26-Aug

DSC Regatta

West Mersea Yacht Club

wmyc.org.uk

26-Aug

Three Race Regatta

Wilsonian Sailing Club

wilsoniansc.org.uk

26-Aug

Mersea Week

West Mersea Yacht Club

wmyc.org.uk

26-Aug

Fambridge River Festival

Fambridge, Essex

yachthavens.com/fambridge

26-Aug

Summer Trophy

St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing

westsuffolksailing.org.uk

26-Aug

World Crabbing Competition

Cromer, Norfolk

crabandlobsterfestival.co.uk

01-Sep Town Regatta West Mersea mersearegatta.org.uk 01-Sep

Blakeney Regatta

Blakeney Sailing Club

blakeneysailing.co.uk

01-Sep

Broadland Youth Regatta

Norfolk Punt Club

puntclub.co.uk

02-Sep

Members Day New & Old

Ardleigh Sailing Club

ardleighsc.co.uk

02-Sep

Art on the Prom

Seafront, Felixstowe

artontheprom.org

02-Sep

Essex Boat Jumble

Battlesbridge Antiques Centre

boat-jumbles.co.uk

04-Sep

Caulking: 2-day course

International Boatbuilding Training College ibtc.co.uk

05-Sep

Guided Canoe Trail

Beccles, Suffolk

thecanoeman.com

www.coastal.events Coastal Guide 2018

COASTAL EVENTS From Event Location Contact 07-Sep

Regatta Weekend

Strood Yacht Club

stroodyachtclub.jimdo.com

08-Sep

Cartoon Trophy Open Meeting

Waldringfield Sailing Club

waldringfieldsc.com

08-Sep

Laser Open

Harlow Blackwater Sailing Club

harlow-blackwater-sailing-club.co.uk

08-Sep

Wayfarer Southern Open Championships

Medway Yacht Club

medwayyachtclub.com

08-Sep

Great River Race

Thames, London

greatriverrace.co.uk

08-Sep

Topper National Championships

Marconi Sailing Club

marconi-sc.org.uk

09-Sep

Topper Trophy

St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing

westsuffolksailing.org.uk

09-Sep

180 Years Dinghy & Yacht Regatta

Deben Yacht Club

debenyachtclub.co.uk

09-Sep

Sonata Challenge

Colne Yacht Club

colneyachtclub.org.uk

14-Sep Southampton Boat Show Southampton southamptonboatshow.com 14-Sep

Buckley Goblets

West Mersea to Ostend

wmyc.org.uk

15-Sep

Barts Bash

Royal Burnham Yacht Club

rbyc.org.uk

15-Sep Open Event Erith Yacht Club erithyachtclub.org.uk 15-Sep Barts Bash Southwold Sailing Club southwoldsc.org 15-Sep Barts Bash Dabchicks Sailing Club dabchicks.org 15-Sep

Streaker Class Southern Area Championships

Blakeney Sailing Club

blakeneysailing.co.uk

15-Sep Barts Bash Colne Yacht Club colneyachtclub.org.uk 16-Sep Barts Bash Norfolk Punt Club puntclub.co.uk 22-Sep

Junior Regatta

Waveney & Oulton Broad Yacht Club

wobyc.com

22-Sep

Solo Open

Harlow Blackwater Sailing Club

harlow-blackwater-sailing-club.co.uk

22-Sep Woodbridge Shuck Woodbridge, Suffolk woodbridgeshuck.co.uk 23-Sep

Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Plate

Ouse Amateur Sailing Club

oasc.co.uk

23-Sep

Interclub Dinghy Team Race

Thames Estuary Yacht Club

teyc.co.uk

23-Sep

Barts Bash

Harlow Blackwater Sailing Club

harlow-blackwater-sailing-club.co.uk

23-Sep Half-Day Sail Ipswich, Suffolk vikingmariners.co.uk 23-Sep Barts Bash Marconi Sailing Club marconi-sc.org.uk 29-Sep Regatta Pin Mill Sailing Club pmsc.org.uk

84 Coastal Guide 2018

COASTAL EVENTS From Event Location Contact 29-Sep

Smacks and Classics

Tollesbury Sailing Club

tollesburysc.com

29-Sep

Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival

Snape Maltings, Suffolk

aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk

29-Sep

RYA Yachtmaster Prep Course

Woolverstone, Suffolk

shearwatersailingschool.co.uk

05-Oct

International Sea Shanty Festival

Harwich, Essex

harwichshantyfestival.co.uk

06-Oct

Autumn Boat Show

Tollesbury Marina

woodrolfe.com

06-Oct

Consolation Cup

Eyott Sailing Club

eyottsailingclub.org.uk

06-Oct Boat Jumble Tollesbury Sailing Club tollesburysc.com 07-Oct

Laser Open Meeting

Waveney & Oulton Broad Yacht Club

wobyc.com

08-Oct

RYA Competent Crew/Day Skipper/Coastal Skipper

Woolverstone, Suffolk

shearwatersailingschool.co.uk

10-Oct

Splicing & Ropework: 2-day course

International Boatbuilding Training College ibtc.co.uk

12-Oct

Essex Used Boat Show

Burnham Yacht Harbour

clarkeandcarter.co.uk

12-Oct

Suffolk Rivers Birding Cruise

Ipswich, Suffolk

top-sail.co.uk

13-Oct

Ovens Buoy Race

Erith Yacht Club

erithyachtclub.org.uk

13-Oct

End of Season Regatta

Norfolk Broads Yacht Club

nbyc.co.uk

13-Oct Athene Cup Norfolk Punt Club puntclub.co.uk 14-Oct

Suffolk Rivers Birding Cruise

Harwich, Essex

top-sail.co.uk

17-Oct

Basic Boat Plumbing & Electronics: 2-day course

International Boatbuilding Training College ibtc.co.uk

19-Oct

Kent Used Boat Show

Chatham & Gillingham Marinas

clarkeandcarter.co.uk

20-Oct

Autumn Trophy/Finola Cup

West Mersea Yacht Club

wmyc.org.uk

20-Oct

Autumn Trophy

Dabchicks Sailing Club

dabchicks.org

21-Oct

Trafalgar Races

Ouse Amateur Sailing Club

oasc.co.uk

21-Oct

RNLI Pursuit Race

Tollesbury Sailing Club

tollesburysc.com

26-Oct

Suffolk Used Boat Show

Levington, Suffolk

clarkeandcarter.co.uk

27-Oct

Steampunk Halloween festival

Landguard Fort, Felixstowe

discoverlandguard.org.uk

27-Oct

Championship of the Alde

Aldeburgh Yacht Club

aldeburghyc.org.uk

28-Oct

End of Season Regatta

Waveney & Oulton Broad Yacht Club

wobyc.com

28-Oct

Commodoreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day

Coldham Hall Sailing Club

coldhamhallsailingclub.co.uk Coastal Guide 2018

COASTAL EVENTS From Event Location Contact 28-Oct

Birds of the Colne Cruise

Brightlingsea, Essex

top-sail.co.uk

03-Nov

Topper and Slow Handicap Singlehanders Open Meet

Waveney & Oulton Broad Yacht Club

wobyc.com

09-Nov

RYA First Aid Course

International Boatbuilding Training College ibtc.co.uk

11-Nov

End of Year Series

Thames Estuary Yacht Club

07-Dec

RYA First Aid Course

International Boatbuilding Training College ibtc.co.uk

16-Dec

Christmas Pudding Race

Coldham Hall Sailing Club

coldhamhallsailingclub.co.uk

25-Dec

Christmas Day Dip

Seafront, Felixstowe

stelizabethhospice.org.uk

26-Dec

Frostbite Spoon

Cam Sailing Club

camsailingclub.org.uk

26-Dec

Hall Cup

Ouse Amateur Sailing Club

oasc.co.uk

26-Dec

Boxing Day Trophy

Harwich Town Sailing Club

htsc.co.uk

26-Dec

Icicle Trophy Race

Benfleet Yacht Club

benfleetyachtclub.org

26-Dec

Brass Monkey Sailing

Leigh on Sea Sailing Club

leighsailingclub.org

teyc.co.uk

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86 Coastal Guide 2018

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Capturing the East Coast East Anglia’s flat coastal landscapes are well known for their big skies and amazing light – two factors which make the area a photographers’ delight. Here, local expert Gill Moon shares some of her favourite locations and offers some tips for success

rom the salt marshes of Essex, the shingle banks of Suffolk through to the wide sandy beaches of Norfolk, the East Coast has an amazing array of habitats to explore and observe. Landscape photography provides a great opportunity to spend time outdoors and the search for a compelling image helps focus the attention on all the little details that might otherwise go unnoticed. Whilst many of us may be acquainted with the iconic views of Southwold Pier and the Aldeburgh Scallop, we are perhaps less familiar with the beauty of some of this coast’s quieter locations. I have discovered many in my photographic journey and share some of my Suffolk favourites here. Shingle Street is a photogenic location that is growing in popularity with photographers. It is renowned for its continually-changing shingle beach, its big skies and amazing light. Unusually for one location, it is ideal for both sunrise and sunset shots due to the shape of the shingle banks, and is best visited at low or half tide. The shell line, which has been a feature of the beach since 2005, runs from the sea to the coastguard cottages and is one of Shingle Street’s most magical features – definitely worth seeking out for a photograph.

88 Coastal Guide 2018

Bawdsey has much to recommend it as a photographic location. Bawdsey Quay at the mouth of the Deben is a great place to capture the setting sun. There are always little groups of dinghies on the beach to use in the foreground of your images and the view across the Deben to Felixstowe Ferry is always full of interest. A little further inland, East Land in Bawdsey is one of my favourite coastal locations. The beach is a continually-changing environment and there are some wonderful shots to be had at low tide across the exposed mudstone to the martello tower beyond. Butley Creek is home to the RSPB reserve of Boyton Marshes. It is a tranquil place at all times of the year and is especially good for photography in spring when the thrift is in bloom, or in late summer when the salt marsh plants turn a beautiful shade of red. Photography is best at high tide and is particularly good at first light when the sun rises directly opposite the ferry crossing. Walton Backwaters is a beautifully tranquil place that is best explored from the water. It is a popular anchorage for yachtsmen and a wonderful place to canoe. There are some good photographic opportunities from Stone Point looking back towards the Port of Felixstowe. This is also a great place

Opposite page: Bawdsey Quay at the mouth of the Deben is a great place to capture the setting sun Left: Renowned for its big skies and amazing light, Shingle Street is best visited at half or low tide. Below: Butley Creek is tranquil all year, and is especially good for photography in spring or late summer. Bottom: For action on the water, the East Coast Smack and Barge races offer fantastic opportunities to capture beautiful vessels in competition.

to watch the seals and with a telephoto lens it is possible to get some good shots both in and out of the water. If you are looking to capture some sailing photography the East Coast Smack and Barge races offer fantastic opportunities to capture some beautiful vessels in action. The races take place all along the East Coast from the Thames to the Orwell and some of the best locations for capturing the action from the land include Landguard Point or Shotley Marina at the mouth of the Orwell, Brightlingsea on the Colne or Maldon on the River Blackwater. More information and dates for the various barge races can be found at www.associationofbargemen. org.uk. Coastal Guide 2018

Sizewell is most famous for its nuclear power station but don’t let this put you off – it has a lovely beach backed by marram grass and there are always a few fishing boats dotted around. Out to sea are a couple of metal structures which are associated with the power station and are home to colonies of cormorants and kittiwakes. These make good focal points for sunrise shots, especially if framed by the marram grass.

Tips from the professional... • Plan your trip before you go. If you are heading to a new location look for images on Flickr first to give you an idea of what to expect.   • Check the tide times and see what works with your chosen location.   • Use an app like www.photoephemeris.com which will tell you the direction of the sunrise and sunset in relation to features on the ground.   • Try to shoot in aperture priority as this will give you more control over your images than shooting in automatic mode.   • Think about your composition and try to have something of interest in the foreground, middle and background of your image.   • Try not to place the horizon or your subject in the middle of the frame. Instead, divide your frame into three vertical and horizontal sections and place your horizon in the top or bottom third and your subject on an interesting vertical and horizontal line.   • Try to vary your viewpoint. Getting down low and looking up can often create a more compelling image than one taken straight on at head height.

Gill Moon runs photography tuition workshops on the Suffolk Coast. For more ideas on where to go to take photos on the Suffolk Coast and to download your free guide visit www.gillmoon.com/free-guides. 90 Coastal Guide 2018

Landscape Photography Tuition Landscape Photography tuition on the Suffolk Coast with professional photographer Gill Moon One to one tuition Half day and full day workshops for beginners and improvers tailored to meet your specific requirements Small group workshops Full day workshops for up to 4 people available throughout the year in various locations along the Suffolk Coast Photo walks Fun 3 hour photo walks for up to 6 people in some of Suffolkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most scenic locations. Post processing tuition in Lightroom and Photoshop is also available. Find out more at www.gillmoon.com/tuition email:gill@gillmoon.com Tel: 07920 162319

Coastal Guide 2018

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ON THE WATER CLUB LOCATION WEBSITE Adastral Park SC

Ipswich, Suffolk

adastralsailing.org.uk

Aldeburgh YC Aldeburgh, Suffolk aldeburghyc.org.uk Alexandra YC Southend, Essex alexyachtclub.co.uk All Hallows YC

Rochester, Kent

allhallowsyachtclub.net

Ardleigh SC Ardleigh, Essex ardleighsc.com Beccles Rowing Club

Beccles, Suffolk

becclesrowingclub.co.uk

Benfleet YC

Canvey Island, Essex

benfleetyachtclub.org

Blackwater SC

Heybridge, Essex

blackwatersailingclub.org.uk

Blakeney SC Blakeney, Norfolk blakeneysailing.co.uk Bradwell Quay YC

Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex

bqyc.org.uk

Brancaster Staithe SC

Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk

bssc.net

Brandy Hole YC

Hullbridge, Essex

brandyhole.com

Brightlingsea Coastal Rowing Club

Brightlingsea, Essex

brightlingsearowing.co.uk

Brightlingsea SC

Brightlingsea, Essex

sailbrightlingsea.com

Brightlingsea PWC Club

Brightlingsea, Essex

pwc-essex.co.uk

Burnham-on-Crouch Coastal Rowing Club

Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex

boccrc.teamapp.com

Chelmsford Canoe Club

Chelmsford, Essex

chelmsfordcanoeclub.co.uk

Clacton Canoe Club

Clacton-On-Sea, Essex

clactoncanoeclub.co.uk

Clacton SC

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

clactonsailingclub.org.uk

Colchester Canoe Club

Colchester, Essex

colchestercanoeclub.co.uk

Coldham Hall SC

Surlingham, Norfolk

coldhamhallsailingclub.co.uk

Colne YC Brightlingsea, Essex colneyachtclub.org.uk Crouch YC Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex cyc.org.uk Cruising Association London theca.org.uk Dabchicks SC

West Mersea, Essex

dabchicks.org

Deben Canoe Club

Woodbridge, Suffolk

dwsc.org.uk

Deben Rowing Club

Woodbridge, Suffolk

debenrowingclub.co.uk Coastal Guide 2018

ON THE WATER CLUB LOCATION WEBSITE Deben YC Woodbridge, Suffolk debenyachtclub.co.uk Dereham Canoe Group

Swanton Morley, Norfolk

derehamcanoeing.co.uk

East Anglian Cruising Club

Thurne, Norfolk

ea-cc.org

East Suffolk Wakeboard & Water Ski Club

Felixstowe, Suffolk

eswsc.co.uk

Erith YC Erith, Kent erithyachtclub.org.uk Essex YC Leigh-on-Sea, Essex essexyachtclub.co.uk Eyott SC

South Woodham Ferrers, Essex

eyottsailingclub.org.uk

Felixstowe Ferry SC

Felixstowe, Suffolk

ffsc.co.uk

Fox’s Marina YC

Ipswich, Suffolk

fmyc.org.uk

Gt Yarmouth & Gorlestone SC

Gorleston on Sea, Norfolk

gygsc.co.uk

Gravesend SC Gravesend, Kent gravesendsailingclub.co.uk Harlow Blackwater SC

Maylandsea, Essex

harlow-blackwater-sailing-club.co.uk

Harwich Town SC

Harwich, Essex

htsc.co.uk

Haven Ports YC

Levington, Suffolk

hpyc.com

Hickling Broad SC

Hickling, Norfolk

hicklingbroad.com

Hickling Windsurfing Club

Hickling, Norfolk

hicklingbroad.co.uk

Hoo Ness SC

Rochester, Kent

hooness.org.uk

Horning SC Horning, Norfolk horningsc.co.uk Hostellers SC Paglesham, Essex hostellerssailingclub.org.uk Hundred of Hoo SC

Rochester, Kent

hundredofhoosailingclub.org

Hunstanton SC

Hunstanton, Norfolk

hunstantonsc.co.uk

Iken Canoe Club

Aldeburgh, Suffolk

ikencanoe.co.uk

Ipswich Canoe Club

Ipswich, Suffolk

ipswichcanoeclub.org.uk

Ipswich Rowing Club

Ipswich, Suffolk

ipswichrc.org.uk

Island YC

Canvey Island, Essex

islandyachtclub.org.uk

King’s Lynn Coastal Rowing Club

King’s Lynn, Norfolk

klcrc.club

Leigh on Sea SC

Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

leighsailingclub.org

94 Coastal Guide 2018

ON THE WATER CLUB LOCATION WEBSITE Little Ship Club London littleshipclub.co.uk Lower Halstow YC

Lower Halstow, Kent

lhyc.org.uk

Lowestoft and District Canoe Club

Lowestoft, Suffolk

learntocanoe.co.uk

Lowestoft Rowing Club

Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, Suffolk

lowestoftrowingclub.org.uk

Maldon and Dengie Canoe Club

Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex

madcanoeclub.co.uk

Maldon Gig Rowing Club

Maldon, Essex

maldongigclub.org.uk

Maldon Little Ship Club

Maldon, Essex

mlsc.org.uk

Marconi SC Southminster, Essex marconi-sc.org.uk Medway YC

Lower Upnor, Kent

medwayyachtclub.com

Mersea Island Rowing Club

West Mersea, Essex

mersearowingclub.org.uk

Norfolk Broads YC

Wroxham, Norfolk

nbyc.co.uk

Norfolk Punt Club

Barton Broad, Norfolk

puntclub.co.uk

North Fambridge YC

North Fambridge, Essex

nfyc.co.uk

Northern Rivers SC

Acle, Norfolk

thenrsc.com

Norwich Canoe Club

Trowse, Norfolk

norwichcanoeclub.co.uk

Norwich Rowing Club

Norwich, Norfolk

norwichrowingclub.co.uk

Orwell YC Ipswich, Suffolk orwellyachtclub.org.uk Ouse Amateur SC

Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lynn, Norfolk

oasc.co.uk

Pin Mill SC

Pin Mill, Suffolk

pmsc.org.uk

Queenborough YC

Queenborough, Kent

queenboroughyachtclub.co.uk

River Stour Boating Essex riverstourboating.co.uk Rochester Cruising Club

Rochester, Kent

rochestercc.co.uk

Rowhedge Coastal Rowing Club

Rowhedge, Essex

rowhedgecrc.co.uk

Royal Burnham YC

Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex

rbyc.org.uk

Royal Corinthian YC

Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex

royalcorinthian.co.uk

Royal Harwich YC

Woolverstone, Suffolk

royalharwichyachtclub.co.uk

Royal Norfolk and Suffolk YC

Lowestoft, Suffolk

rnsyc.net Coastal Guide 2018

ON THE WATER CLUB LOCATION WEBSITE Segas SC Gillingham, Kent segassailingclub.co.uk Shotley SC

Shotley Gate, Suffolk

shotleysailingclub.co.uk

Snettisham Beach SC

Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lynn, Norfolk

snetbeach.co.uk

Snowflake SC

Horning, Norfolk

sfsc.co.uk

Southend Canoe Club

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

southendcanoe.org.uk

Southend Coastal Rowing Club

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

southendcrc.com

Southwold SC Southwold, Suffolk southwoldsc.org St Edmundsbury Sailing & Canoeing Association

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

westsuffolksailing.org.uk

Stoke SC Freston, Suffolk stokesailingclub.uk Stour SC Manningtree, Essex stoursailingclub.co.uk Strood TC Rochester, Kent stroodyachtclub.jimdo.com Suffolk SUP Club

Ipswich, Suffolk

suffolksup.com

Tendring Canoe Club

Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex

essexinfo.net/tcc

Thames Estuary YC

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

teyc.co.uk

Upnor SC Rochester, Kent upnorsailingclub.co.uk Waldringfield SC

Woodbridge, Suffolk

waldringfieldsc.com

Walton and Frinton YC

Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex

wfyc.co.uk

Waveney & Oulton Broad YC

Oulton Broad, Suffolk

wobyc.com

Wells SC Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk wellssailingclub.co.uk Wensum Ospreys Canoe Club

Fakenham, Norfolk

wocc.org.uk

West Mersea YC

West Mersea, Essex

wmyc.org.uk

Wet and Dry SUP Club

Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

wetndrysup.com

Wilsonian SC Hoo, Kent wilsoniansc.org.uk Wivenhoe SC

Wivenhoe, Essex

wivenhoesailing.org.uk

Woodham Ferrers Water Ski Club

South Woodham Ferrers, Essex

wfwsc.co.uk

Yare Boat Club

Thorpe St Andrew, Norfolk

yareboatclub.org

Yare SC Norfolk yaresailingclub.org.uk

96 Coastal Guide 2018

www.rofixrestoration.com

☏ 01359 250343 ✉ office@rofixrestoration.com Coastal Guide 2018

Minimum Landing Sizes for common species

Bass Skates & Rays Cod Mullet Mackerel (North Sea) Whiting Plaice Dover Sole Herring Horse Mackerel Flounder Smooth-hound

42 cm 40 cm 35 cm 30 cm 30 cm 27 cm 27 cm 24 cm 20 cm 15 cm N/A N/A

All undersized marine organisms shall not be retained on board or be transhipped, landed, transported, stored, sold, displayed, or offered for sale, but shall be returned immediately to the sea.

www.kentandessex-ifca.gov.uk Kent & Essex IFCA, The Sail Loft, Shipyard Industrial Estate, Brightlingsea, CO7 0AR 01206-303261 |  info@kentandessex-ifca.gov.uk |

98 Coastal Guide 2018

@kentessexifca

Traditional equipment for classic boats.

Order online or come and visit our chandlery at Suffolk Yacht Harbour on the east coast. Telephone: 01394 380390 or 01473 659394 | Email: info@classicmarine.co.uk | www.classicmarine.co.uk Classic Marine, Suffolk Yacht Harbour, Levington, Ipswich, Suffolk, United Kingdom IP10 0LN Photography Credit: Emily Harris

Coastal Guide 2018

syharbour.co.uk 01473 659465 enquiries@syharbour.co.uk

Suffolk Yacht Harbour:

the east coast’s leading marina Credits: Main Photo - Patrick Squire. Below - Gill Moon & Emily Harris.

Founded in 1967, Suffolk Yacht Harbour is the east coast’s largest independently owned marina offering a vast array of onsite services and facilities. Comprising 550 berths and additional swinging moorings, with access at all states of the tide, the marina offers the ideal stopover whilst cruising along the picturesque rivers and coastal waters of East Anglia.

A marine hub for local and visiting yachtsmen. • Busy calendar of events and regattas, including the annual Classic Regatta. • Haven Ports Yacht Club offers a warm welcome, hearty food and drinks for locals and visitors.

100 Coastal Guide 2018

• Maintenance facilities and services for classic and modern yachts, including boat hoists up to 75 tonnes, two well equipped chandleries and newly refurbished workshops.