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Mort's Riverwatch

An occasional look at the ebb and flow of the Thames

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Year: 2008

Recent developments

Get behind the club that’s risen from the ashes

28/08/200827/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

There are lots of good causes looking for your support through the year but one which I believe deserves special mention is the third annual River Festival staged by the Weybridge Mariners’ Club (WMC) – a cruiser club based on the lock island at Shepperton.

Recent developments

Gift craft is a ‘Run A’Wey’ success

21/08/200827/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

It’s strange how things happen sometimes, isn’t it? A chance meeting on the river between a member of The River Thames Society and an oarsman from Weybridge Rowing Club has resulted in the donation of a single scull boat to the club by the Teddington to Old Windsor branch of the society.

Terra Nova

Brother takes on nautical Terra

14/08/200827/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

He’s great, my brother. When he and I decided to club together and buy a boat a couple of years back, I was a bit hesitant because of the possible technical problems that have to be overcome when you take on the responsibility of owning a vessel.

Events

The dongola mystery explained!

07/08/200827/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

One of the sporting and social highlights of summer on our reaches of the Thames will shortly be upon us – Sunbury Amateur Regatta.

History

Islands in the stream

31/07/200827/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

There’s always been something very appealing about the idea of living on an island for me. Just the thought of being surrounded by water, cocooned from the rigours of the world and able to gaze out on a tranquil, lazily-flowing river is enough to make me smile.

Recent developments

River’s graveyard for boats

24/07/200827/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

I dreamed of having my own boat for years before I could finally afford one. And, as my family will attest, after becoming a skipper, I have spent considerable amounts of time and money on pampering the succession of boats I’ve owned over the past 15 years or so.

Recent developments

Actor takes lead in campaign

17/07/200827/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

Further to my recent coverage of the Environment Agency’s desire to sell off several of the lock-keeper’s cottages in our area, I’m delighted to report that there is potentially some good news.

Local people

The river runs through him

10/07/200827/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

Pat Brady has always loved the river. The 66-year-old from Loudwater Road, Lower Sunbury, spent the majority of his working life on and around the Thames and its tributaries.

Recent developments

There is hope on the horizon

03/07/200827/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

So, finally, a small spark of common sense appears to have appeared at the Environment Agency – with the news that they have put on hold their controversial plans to sell off ten of the 57 lock-keepers cottages on the River Thames.

Events

The feast of July

26/06/200827/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

One of the real benefits of living close to the Thames is that there are a whole raft of events to enjoy during the summer months – and July is one of the busiest.

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Get in touch

To contact Mort, email him at mortsmith32@gmail.com or call him on 01787 226974. He’s always pleased to hear from old friends who provided such a wealth of information and great stories for Riverwatch.

These columns appeared in the Surrey Herald.

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Association of Dunkirk Little Ships Beaulieu boat jumble birds boats book review Canal and River Trust crab Desborough Island Desborough Sailing Club Doug Myers Dunkirk D’Oyly Carte Island Environment Agency fish fishing Floods historic boats Jenny Beagle lock keepers London International Boat Show paintings Project Kraken Queen Mary Sailing Club Richmond Venturer River Thames Boat Project river users groups rowing Royal Yachting Association safety sailing Second World War Shepperton Shepperton Marina Sunbury and Shepperton Local History Society Surrey Police swimming Terra Nova Thames21 Thames islands Walton Bridge Walton Yacht Company Weather Weybridge Ladies Rowing Club Weybridge Sailing Club wildlife
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