Issue 6.5 Feb 2006
NEWSLETTER February 2006
In our last Newsletter of December 2005, we gave advance notice of our forthcoming Winter/Spring programme - well, most of it, as we hadn’t finalised details of the last of our lecture series in May. Now we have!
This will be a talk by Capt. Mick Lungley on “Rigging the Neptune” ~ the story of how he and several other local experts journeyed to Tangiers to rig the square-rigger “Neptune” for the Roman Polanski film “Pirate”. This will be the second time Mick appears before us this year as he is also a founder member of the shanty group “High Watermark” who are performing for us at our Social Evening at the Steamboat Tavern on
Friday, February 24th
.
Mick will be well known to many of you as he was, for many years, skipper of several Thames Barges and remains Officer of the Day for the Pin Mill Sailing Club Barge Match; this year on Saturday, July 1st
. (A note for your diaries!) His talk will be at the Ipswich Library Lecture Theatre, Old Foundry Rd. at 7.30pm. on Wednesday, May 17th
.
Our AGM was held at the Pin Mill SC on January 6th and, for those of you who missed it, it proceeded peacefully with the good news that the Trust is in good health both financially and in progress made. There followed a showing of the just-post-war film “Ha’Penny Breeze” which was well received and brought about some nostalgia amongst
those of us who knew those days at Pin Mill as well as several of the local “extras”.
A special offer! Anyone looking for a birthday present, or if you wish to indulge yourself with a book on a very local maritime theme, consider “Ships and Shipyards of Ipswich - 1700 to 1970” by local historian Hugh Moffat. This is a hard-back book of 179 pages with many illustrations and covers all the builders and the production of their yards
around the Dock and on the banks of the Orwell It is published by Malthouse Press. A cheque for £20.00 payable to R. Malster at 17, Reade Rd., Holbrook, Suffolk IP9 2QL will ensure that a copy is posted to you. This special book is a mine of information and will ensure you, or the recipient, much enjoyment as well as information.
Winter/Spring Programme ~ reminder: Friday, February 24 th
. The Pin Mill Shanty Group “High Watermark ”
. At the Steamboat Tavern, New Cut West. Ipswich (Close to Debbage’s Boatyard on the quay off Wherstead Rd. Parking outside the Tavern). 7.30pm onwards. Come and join the party and the singing. This very local Group has a great reputation for providing a memorable evening with a wide variety of songs and “performances” in their repertoire.
No booking, no charge, no reservation necessary. Great fun!
Wednesday, March 15 th . Jim Lawrence on “My Early Days Barging ”. Jim hails from Brightlingsea and has spent his lifetime sailing, trading and racing Thames Barges. Jim is a great raconteur and the evening promises to be both interesting and entertaining. 7.30pm.. at the Lecture Theatre, Ipswich Library, Old Foundry Rd. Ipswich. £2.50.
Wednesday April 19 th
. Dr. John Blatchley on “Historic Houses and Estates on the
Banks of the Orwell”
. The story behind the establishment and history of the great
houses and estates which line our river, told by an eminent local historian. A fascinating subject indeed! 7.30pm . at the Lecture Theatre, Ipswich Library, Old Foundry Rd., Ipswich. £2.50.
Wednesday May 17 th
. Capt Mick Lungley on “Rigging the Pirate”. See details at the start of this Newsletter. 7.30pm . at the Lecture Theatre, Ipswich Library, Old Foundry Rd., Ipswich. £2.50.
To reserve seats (not essential) for talks at the Library please telephone Des Pawson on 01473 690090 or e-mail him at: knots@footrope.fsnet.co.uk
Parking near the Library: There are usually
spaces to be found at this time of the evening in Old Foundry Rd., on either side of the Gt. Coleman St. crossroads. Crown St. carpark is just a few minutes walk away.
We are currently planning events for the summer of ’06 and the following winter series. Several are already “pencilled in” but it would be a tremendous help if you could come up with some suggestions on what would appeal. Please ring either Stuart Grimwade on 01473 256461 or Mark Grimwade 01473 787210
Finally – Subscriptions: Membership subscriptions were due on 1st January, and those of you who have paid will find enclosed your membership card for 2006. If you have not yet paid, please send either a cheque or a completed standing-order form to the membership secretary. If you pay or have paid by standing order for 2006, then this by standing order, or have paid, then the first of the talks you attend this year will be free!
In order to be an effective voice representing maritime interests in the local area we need to have a large membership. We have already achieved recognition in the new waterside developments by the allocation of permanent exhibition space to the Trust – help us
achieve more by renewing your membership!