The Steamboating Forum

Dear Steamboaters in the Northwest (and further afield),

I have been asked to sound out as to whether the SBA would be happy to provide a steam element to a possible flotilla jubilee celebration on Coniston Water during my rally (June 11th/12th) the week after the official celebrations on the Thames? If a genuine interest is shown then we can start approaching people in an official capacity; classic motorboats/ Old Gaffer's association/ mirror dinghy association/ lake district national park boating centre. I'm hoping that Barrow model boat club and Windermere model boat club will be able to have a stand, possibly the Lakeland Arts Trust with information on what's happening at the Steamboat Museum as well as a National Trust stand with maps for local walks from Coniston, some also incorporating a trip on SY Gondola.

I'm on with getting an itinerary sorted for this year's rally so if expressions of interest could be made on here, or alternatively my contact details are logged on the member's area on the new SBA website. Enquiries are also being made to see what the costs/logistics/adv's & disadv's of using Bank Ground Farm as the base for this year's rally would be- a stunning spot with private and secure overnight mooring with beautiful and historical surrounds and good value traditional B&B facilities and tearooms. Of course for anyone wanting to make it a proper holiday accomodation is plentiful in and around Coniston.

A flotilla is a nice idea, but not worth doing if we're only going to have 2 or 3 boats on a 'rallette', although lovely last year, ideally we need a decent turnout to show the differing sides of the SBA.

I'll leave it with you guys- and please pass the word around.

Thanks,

Greg Simpson

If you'd get something together, I'd very much like to add it to the calendar on the ISS website at http://www.steamboating.org. Please let me know via the above website because Steamboating Magazine, as well as the website, have good followings (and us "colonials" are always impressed with royalty - well worth a trip across the pond).

Hi Ron,

That's great, thankyou.

We have confirmed/pencilled in attendance from;

-Steamboat Association
-The Good Wood Boat Co.
-Brantwood House- along with John Ruskin's own rowing boat
-Electric Boat Association
-Mirror Class Dinghies
-Windermere Steamboat Museum
-Arthur Ransome Society- hopefully with one or two Swallows & Amazons lectures, possibly from Bank Ground Farm (where Arthur Ransome stayed and taught the Altounyan children to sail, the basis for the story) along with a chance that the restored 'Swallow' may be in attendance along with...
...-The Ruskin Museum, along with the unrestored 'Amazon', hopefully.
-National Trust- SY Gondola, hopefully offering half price cruises over one or two days with possibly an evening cruise with a talk from Bill Smith on the restoration of Donald Campbell's Bluebird K7 along with the National Trust stand.
-Beer on tap, BBQ's, rowing boats/electric boats/canoes for hire

Sunday 10th June is an assembly and arrival day with Mon/Tue being the regatta proper.

Unfortunately, as it stands, there won't be any royalty in attendance- other than the marine royalty of the visiting steamboats and Gondola, of course!

I know it all sounds a little up in the air at them moment, but it has only been a couple of weeks, and the above mentioned seem extremely responsive and keen on being involved.

There are many forms of accomadation in the locality- renging from log cabins in the woods to ****/***** hotels and everything inbetween. There are nationally famous eateries within 20 mile radius and numerous good ld fashioned pubs in Coniston and the surrounding towns and villages.

Local attractions include the home of William Wordsworth, the home of John Ruskin, SY Gondola, the Ruskin Museum, Hawkshead village and Beatirx Potter's house along with regular scheduled sailings on the four major lakes and two heritage railways. Manchester is a 2.5hr train ride, and Liverpool 3hrs.

It would be fantastic to have an international contingent, and of course they would be made most welcome.

Regards,

Greg