Wow, what a success this year’s Queenborough’s Traditional Festival was.
The weather was kind and puff-ball clouds slowly crossed sunny blue skies after early morning high grey cloud cleared away. A late summer carnival atmosphere soon enveloped us all, with people wanting to visit the assembled fleet…
I’m told that nearly 2000 people visited the vessels on the pontoons. It was a great pity more owners didn’t sign up to bring their traditional boats, it was generally said… More on this later!
Whimbrel arrived before noon on the Friday. We had spent the previous night in the quiet of The Lillies under Elmley Island.
We had sailed there from Faversham, as too had the steam tug Barking which passed us some while after we were anchored up had also steamed down Faversham Creek: we had seen her up at the Town Quay.
We awoke promptly on the Friday and the mate busied herself with our tea and coffee while I ran the riding light down and shortened the anchor cable.
After a ‘scratch’ breakfast, we were away, sailing off our anchor, bound first for the bridge (to disrupt rush hour local traffic) and then to one of our favourite harbours…
In the harbour, we swung to a buoy until called alongside in time for a trundle ashore for a beer (or two) at the Admiral’s Arm.
During the afternoon, various vessels began to arrive. I knew from the mooring plan that there were not going to be huge numbers of us, however, quality was in attendance…
A couple of craft failed to pitch up…
Saturday dawned a little overcast with a high greyness through which, though, the sun could be felt. Boats not already flying bunting soon had it run up.
Before the gates were opened, we pottered ashore for a newspaper and visited the harbour market, which, for the weekend was going to be open on both days.
The market is arranged along the quay bordering the creek and was started earlier this year as Covid-19 restrictions allowed. On the way we bumped into the owners of the Edith May.
There was an eclectic array of stalls selling home baked cakes and savouries, arty stuff and other celebratory paraphernalia.
Two little starlets were given the full tour below by Whimbrel’s mate and ended up having a peak into the ship’s store locker. Wide eyes spotted goodies galore!
The two young ladies took the helm whilst daddy photographed them. I think the older one really wanted to stay…
At some point a lady from the Queenborough Yacht Club came aboard with her sister. Both were amazed at the space below and the vastness of her storage capacity.
An ‘old stager’ dating back to the end of barging, mostly on motorised craft popped over for a chat. We’d passed him with a QYC group while on our way up to Pin Mill in early August.
Nice chap and was the ‘Old man in a boat’ we followed around the edges of Stangate Creek which featured in one of my yarns – A Mystery – in Salt, Marsh & Mud.
Both of us made time to escape independently from time to time, sometimes not getting far: punters would ask questions ad want to visit.
Over on Doris, the venerable old Leigh Bawley, The owner’s partner and sister were essentially holding the fort for her owner was on duty for the day – being a harbour operative. Bless!
I just had to climb aboard the Edith May and have a chat to her owners – trouble was I ended up bringing people back to Whimbrel – old Upchurchonians!
I even managed to get out for a sail in the tender…
Early in the afternoon of Sunday, Tiny Mite needed to break way to enable her to return to Faversham. We moved off and back in onto the pontoon.
The crowds thinned, the sun waned and as I hauled our flags down, I felt a certain level of sadness for it was all over. It was a sadness tinged with the elation of a job well one. It was a success…
Early on Monday morning we set the Genoa, slipped our moorings and crept away, hoisting main when clear.
We crept out of the West Swale, past the Queenborough Spit buoy, homebound. It was around forty-six days since I sailed in with a cousin and a brother for a trip up to Pin Mill. It was the weekend of the Swale Smack & Barge Match and the weather deteriorated on Friday blowing almost a gale, but we had a cracking double reefed main sail round to Harty and to Pin Mill on the Saturday…
It all seemed a long time ago!
On the way out, Christobel grilled bacon and we had a tasty breakfast…
It was a fast passage and we went the ‘long’ way via the Nore, West Shoebury and then to the Pier, before stemming the last of the ebb into the Ray Channel.
Yes, I had a dip, much to the horror of my good mate. The boat’s bottom hadn’t had time to get dirty after our scrubbing on Mundon Point and Osea Is. beach some two weeks previously.
We were nearly home…
So, what else did we see and what were my thoughts: there were several old work boats (excluding the barge and bawley). The tugs, Barking and Kent looked resplendent and the workaday X-Pilot, a busy little ship normally.
What was apparent, from the berthing list, and the cancelation of a couple of little ships, was the dearth of traditional yachts. The harbour authority have expended a good deal of effort and the community, businesses and they themselves seem to have created a ‘highball’ cocktail that works.
More is needed closer to the water venue, to lead people on. I mentioned this…
Whimbrel has never experienced so many keen, starry eyed visitors, that is for sure. But, without more craft, or to the point, more owners coming forward and supporting the event it cannot move on.
Talking to the river’s heritage ‘king pin’ he too agreed, but was delighted with the progress made ashore especially.
Work in progress, must be the footnote.
So, please, traditional craft owners, try and make a date in your calendars for next year and show eager members of the public the love, enthusiasm and pleasure you have for your mistresses…