Last week I wrote about the Richmond Venturer, the converted Dutch barge operated by the charity the River Thames Boat Project. It runs trips up and down the river aimed at introducing the beauties of the Thames to groups and individuals who may not otherwise have had the opportunity fully to appreciate the river.
Author: Mort Smith
A lovely way to learn
Strolling along by the Thames at Walton the other day, I was fascinated to watch a sizeable old barge called Richmond Venturer go chuffing past me with a group of wheelchair-bound guests on the deck enjoying the spring sunshine.
What a jumble at junkfest
As regular readers of this column will know, I’m a boat jumble junkie. I just love poking around the tents and tables packed with other boat owners’ cast-offs in the hope of finding a bargain or two.
Boat’s a real Terra to clean
Ageing cabin cruisers are a little bit like elderly actresses – they can still do the job for which they were originally designed but they need a good deal of make-up before they can take the stage with confidence.
Club with a reputation that’s second to none
There are rowing clubs up and down the length of the Thames and crews being put through their paces by enthusiastic coaches pedalling along the river bank are a familiar sight for anyone who regularly takes a stroll beside the water.
Recognise anyone?
David and Nicky Prior have lived in their attractive house at Hamm Court, Weybridge since 1965 and have a real fascination for the history of the estate which is bounded by the rivers Bourne, Wey and Thames.
Little tankers’ vital role
I’ve been delighted by the response to my question about readers’ memories of the Walton Yacht Company during the 1940s and 1950s. I had so much input that I have enough information to produce a special feature about the place.
Out flooded the workers…
Mort Smith recently asked readers for their memories of the Walton Yacht Company. Here are just some of the reminiscences you’ve been keen to share
Fingers crossed this time
Last week, I chronicled the story of the first two bridges to span the Thames between Walton and Shepperton but they were followed by three further structures, while a sixth is still on the drawing board.
Spanning the centuries
As the long-running debate over a new bridge to span the Thames at Walton appears to have reached a conclusion, I thought it was about time to take a look at the history of this particular crossing as part of the series of articles focusing on the bridges spanning the river in the Herald & News area.