Kent

With small inflatable boats making their way across the English Channel we will get an insight as to how the UK Border Force deal with this problem and how we can help them.

Date: Thursday 13 February 2020

Time: 1900, talks start 2000

Venue for our Winter Warmers:

Operations were conducted from Lunna House, Shetland by Stephen’s father, Lieutenant Howarth, who ran the Shetland end of the operation. The crews of the Shetland Bus [Shetlandsgjengen] were men of the coast, fishermen and sailors with detailed local knowledge. Most came over after the occupation, some with their own vessels, others with vessels that were "stolen" with the owner's approval. They were young men, most of them in their twenties, some even younger.

Launched in 1978, the 62-foot gaff ketch Morning Star is the oldest purpose-built sail training vessel in the UK and has been based in the Medway for her whole life. Currently operating from Chatham Maritime, MST offers voyages aboard Morning Star and her smaller sister Bright Star around the South and East coasts of England during term time. Going further afield in the summer, Morning Star competes in the international Tall Ships Race

The Bank's headquarters have been in London's main financial district, the City of London, on Threadneedle Street, since 1734. It is sometimes known as The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street, a name taken from the satirical cartoon by James Gillray in 1797

An audio-visual journey through the history of the Bank, its architecture and its work today and then ample time to view the museum.

David Lloyd will reminisce about his life and times as a pilot, picking up ships off of Ramsgate and advising the master of a safe route to the Medway. David's "home port" was Sheerness but other ports were served including Ridham Dock and we will hear of, "near misses" because the train had priority. David will describe a typical trip into the Medway and highlight occasional "difficulties" both with ships and Captains. There will be much for us to learn.

RNLI volunteer Colin Brown has been an active boating enthusiast, owning his own boat for most of his life, and the RNLI has always been close to his heart. Having the knowledge that they were always there should he ever have the misfortune to be in trouble whilst at sea has been very comforting. The RNLI story is one that captures audiences young and old. The presentation is a fast moving talk supported by video, slide and sound and tells the story of the modern RNLI operations, equipment and training.

Dick Holness will update us, in his own inimitable style, on Imray’s East Coast Pilot which is put together by himself and Garth Cooper. Sadly, Colin Jarman who was the original inspiration behind the book died in 2017. The East Coast Pilot carries on, and has become the most popular pilot book for the creeks, harbours and rivers between Great Yarmouth and Ramsgate - Dick will talk about his further adventures in keeping it and its supporting web site up to date.

Chris Jeckells, MD of Jeckells the Sailmakers and 7th generation of the sailmaking family will be visiting to tell us more about the history of Jeckells, a company that has been going since 1832, and the modern methods of sail making, including different types of cloth, panel configuration, etc.

Roy Brooks is a Director of Scotline Ltd - Scotline Terminals and Intrada Ships Management are located on the Medway City Estate. Scotline owns 8 vessels ranging between 3,300 – 4,500 Tons DWAT with 2 New vessels of 4,750 tons DWAT ordered from the Bedewes Shipyard, Holland and owners of 2 Terminals at Rochester covering 28 acres.

Roy will give a brief outline of Scotline Company history from humble beginning to the present day.

Date: 14^th February 2019

Des Crampton took the Ramsgate-based Cantilena of London on a 4,500mile round trip to the Svalbard archipelago in the summer of 2014.