Historic barge in Hoo

The most well-known of the iconic sailing barges to have sailed along the River Thames arrived at Hoo Marina in early September, for winter storage, as she marks the end of her 110th year.

90ft-long sailing barge Cambria was built at the F. T. Everard and Sons Limited boatyard at Greenhithe in 1906 and is famous for being the last British registered vessel to carry cargo under sail alone – the final cargo being 100 tonnes of cattle cake in 1970 when she was owned by the folksinger and bargeman Bob Roberts.

Since being restored in 2007, thanks to £1.4 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Cambria has been able to provide life-changing experiences for hundreds of young people in association with the Sea Change Sail Trust as well as being hired out for private charters.  Cambria has also been active in the annual programme of traditional barge match races.

You can find out more about Cambria by visiting the Cambria Trust’s website here or take a look at the groups more up-to-date Facebook page here.

Photograph appears courtesy of Rob Powell at the Cambria Trust.

  

Hoo Marina is waiting for you!

I always enjoy popping down to Hoo Marina (now known as Port Werburgh). It’s high up on the list of places to go locally whenever I have family and friends staying over - just like when my mother and sister visited last summer.

Although you have to go through a small industrial area to get there, the views of the River Medway from the marina are worth it.

And, you can enjoy a nice cuppa and something tasty to eat at Hoo Riverside Diner - perfectly placed within the marina. Next door you’ll find the office of Premier Houseboats, offering a really interesting range of boats for sale - always good to have a nose at the sales board on the window!

From Saturday 9 March another business will be opening in the marina, next to Riverside Diner, called Beach Hut 'n' Boats. They’ll be offering a colourful range of products. Take a look at their website by clicking here.

Hoo Riverside Diner is open from Monday to Friday (8am to 4pm) and Saturdays and Sundays (8.30am to 4pm).

So, when you get some spare time, pop down to Port Werburgh and see what you’ve been missing!

  

Join the new Saxon Shore Way Clean Up team!

Don’t panic, volunteers aren't being asked to ‘clean up’ the full length of the Saxon Shore Way, stretching as it does from Gravesend to Hastings - a mere 160 miles from start to finish!

However, following a number of local groups expressing an interest in setting up a new ‘shore-side’ Clean Up team, other residents are now being invited to come forward and get involved in these new regular litter picks along the stretch that runs between Upnor and Hoo.

If you’re keen to get involved, please get in touch by emailing me here, or contact the Village Voices team on 07919 693 095, or email here.

  

High Halstow Walkers - April Walk (Sunday 15 April 2012)

The next walk organised by the High Halstow Walkers is taking place this Sunday (15 April).

Starting out at 10am, the walk will begin at the Kings Arms at the top of the High Street in Upper Upnor. Parking is available at the car park on Upnor Road.

The walk is being led by Alan Wilson and will go from Upper Upnor to Lower Upnor, Cockham Fort, Hoo Marina and then back. The walk, which I’ve done a few times myself, covers about 6 miles and follows the route of the old Saxon Shore Way. You can expect good views of Chatham Dockyard, St. Mary’s Island, the shore way, the river Medway and lots of fascinating local history.

So, if you fancy some fresh air, exercise and good conversation, this walk is for you. 

Other walks taking place this year are listed below. The start time for each walk is usually 10am, but confirmation of this, and meeting points, will be posted on this website every month.

13 May - Cranbrook and Sissinghurst. 10 June - To be announced. 8 July - High Halstow to Egypt Bay.

If you’d like to find out more about the High Halstow Walkers, get in touch with Mitchell by phoning 01634 254428 or send him an email here.

  

Saxon Shore Way, Hoo St. Werburgh

Having completed a small part of the walk along the Saxon Shore Way last week, between Upnor and Hoo St. Werburgh (described in another post), I completed another section today. This particular walk, centred around Hoo, is ideal for a Sunday morning stroll and takes less than a couple of hours to complete, especially if stopping to look at the views.

Information about walks on the Hoo Peninsula, including this one, can be obtained by clicking here.

I walked down Vicarage Lane to Hoo Marina and joined the clearly signed Saxon Shore Way path that runs along the River Medway to Kingsnorth. Soon after joining the path, you come across excellent views of Hoo Fort and Darnet Fort (in the middle of the River Medway). There are three WW2 pillboxes during the walk - an indication of how strategically important the area once was.

Altogether very enjoyable and a good mix of sights!

Saxon Shore Way, Hoo St. Werburgh to Upnor

With a few hours spare this morning, I decided to go for a walk along part of the Saxon Shore Way, from Hoo St. Werburgh to Upnor. A pleasant walk made even better by the warm sunny weather. From Hoo Village Centre, I walked along Vicarage Lane and then followed the signs through Hoo Marina Village and along the River Medway.

When I arrived at the ruins of Cockham Wood Fort, which overlooks St. Mary’s Island, I took a break and enjoyed the sun for a while! Cockham Wood Fort was built in the late 16th century, as a direct result of the Dutch raid in 1667. Originally, the fort held 48 guns, but the arsenal was removed within 100 years.

Information about walks on the Hoo Peninsula can be obtained by clicking here.

Morning Walk - Yantlet Creek, Allhallows

With the weather looking good (at long last), I decided to head over to Allhallows this morning for a walk along Yantlet Creek. Other than a couple of people fishing near Allhallows, I didn't encounter anyone else during the walk, which is always refreshing! The views of the Thames Estuary, Isle of Grain and Allhallows Marshes were stunning and, most importantly of all, relaxing! Returning from the walk, I encountered a couple of dozen cows near Allhallows - quietly enjoying their Saturday lunch!

The memorial stone (photograph below) states: "Southern Water Authority, Kent Division. This stone commemorating the completion of the raising of the Thames Flood Defences between 1975 - 1985 was unveiled by Mr H. J. L. Harris, Chairman, Regional Land Drainage Committee on the 1st May 1986".

Hoo Marina - Gloomy Weather

This photograph, taken at Hoo Marina, was captured at 8am this morning - I was feeling particularly energetic and was out early! Another typically gloomy day ahead! Let's hope things cheer-up before the day is out.

Hoo Marina, Vicarage Lane, Hoo St. Werburgh

I thought I would take a look at Hoo Marina, which is located off Vicarage Lane - leading from the centre of Hoo St. Werburgh. Within a traditional setting, Hoo Marina appears reasonably well equipped and offers a range of facilities. However, I was keen to look at views of the River Medway and coastline. Some of the below photographs point towards the Hoo Flats, West Hoo Creek, Ford Marsh, Hoo Ness and Hoo Salt Marsh (all in the distance). More information about Hoo Marina can be obtained by visiting their website.