Residents' Association Forum

Note: I have edited the master list based on Rattys response. EDIT @ 17:10 October 31st.

Note: Edited again to include Hampton Canoe Club. LAST EDIT: 28 November 2011.

Note: Edited again to include Kayak Tours. Last Edit: 6th July 2012

Note: Edited to cover Ditton Reach slipway closure. Last edit: 20th October 2014

I recently found out that that sandwiched between the Albany and the rowing club (not the skiff one but the other one) is a small sailing club that also takes canoe/kayak members!

The inflatable can stay in the loft for winter and I have invested in a small rigid touring kayak!!

This is a great find for me - my only regret is that I did not know about it earlier.

I think it would be fabulous if more villagers knew about the various ways to get on to and enjoy the river.
Note: lots of course already do - and for islanders well they're privileged enough to have it on their doorstop !

Hence this slightly random posting... I am hoping to collate all the ways to get onto the river with a view to possibly doing a piece on this for the mag.


I just want to list any rowing / boat club / boat hire place / pier / ferry  etc we have in the village. Here is a short start – if you can -> please just copy the list below and edit/add to it.

Name, description, location and if applicable a website will do but if there is anything else please feel to add those details!


LIST OF BOAT CLUBS, SLIPWAYS, BOAT HIRE PLACES, ETC - IN THAMES DITTON
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Taggs Boatyard

Description:  Hires out small electric and outboard boats for river cruising.
Location: Summer Road
Link: http://www.taggsboatyard.co.uk/

2. BMYC - Sailing club

Description: Members sailing club for sail boats and also canoes/kayaks
Location: Albany Reach
Link: http://www.theriverclub.net/ (Edit: website back up and running!)

3. Skiff and Punting Club

Description: Self explanatory in the name!!
Location: Albany Reach
Link: http://www.dittons.org.uk/

4. Rowing club on the end of Albany Reach

Description: Looks like a school rowing club?
Location: Albany Reach

5. Public access slipway @ the Swann

Description: Pier to drop your own boat into the water. No parking (parking is for islanders)
Location: Swann Pier
Link: n/a

6. Public access pier @ the Albany

Description: Pier to drop your own boat into the water. Note: smaller than Swann pier but generally easier access, parking is at the pub so I guess permission required?
Location: Between the Albany pub and the Skiff and Punting club
Link: n/a

7. Summertime ferry to Hampton Court from Cigarette Island ???

Description: ???  (can someone help on this one?)

8. East Molsey - Drawdock

Description: Free drawdock no parking canoes and small boats only
Location: River Bank, East Molesey, Middlesex, KT8

9. Ditton Reach Slipway

Description: Free slipway no parking
Location: Next to Ajax Sea Scouts, Ditton Reach, Thames Ditton, KT7 0XB
Note (20/10/2014) - CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO REFURB!


10. Hampton Canoe Club (affiliated to BCU!)

Description: Kayak and Canoe club with boats to hire and also members can bring their own boats (plus racks to store them)
Location: Bell Hill, Hampton -> http://www.hamptoncanoeclub.co.uk/location.html
Link: http://www.hamptoncanoeclub.co.uk/


11.Kayak Tours!

Description: A company that does kayak tours including ones that start (and end) at the Swan:
Location: Ye Old Swan slipway
Link: http://www.londonkayaktours.co.uk/kayak-tours/

Hi Juniho,

Two others.

East Molsey - Drawdock
River Bank
East Molesey
Middlesex
KT8

Free drawdock no parking canoes and small boats only

Ditton Reach Slipway
(Next to Ajax Sea Scouts)
Ditton Reach
Thames Ditton
KT7 0XB

Free slipway no parking

I don't think Taggs do row boats, but they also have a hire place next to Harts Boatyard on Portsmouth Road.

The access by the Swan is a slipway rather than pier.

Thanks Ratty ! I did not know about either of those!

And I think you're right about Taggs as everytime I have asked about the rowboat its 'unavailable' - I have editted the master list to incorporate your response!

I wrote a piece on this four years ago in the mag - see http://residents-association.com/tdt39/river_club.php

pm regarding potential article - green light.

Ah - I was not in Thames Ditton 4 years ago!!

So missed that article ;) !

I have just added Hampton Canoe Club to the list!

I'll find out more about the sail boats on hire near hampton court bridge.

Nudge nudge!

If anyone knows any others I should include - otherwise this is the list I have now!

Ways to get on the river (aka list of boat clubs, slipways, etc)

----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Taggs Boatyard

Description:  Hires out small electric and outboard boats for river cruising.
Location: Summer Road
Link: http://www.taggsboatyard.co.uk/

2. BMYC - Sailing club

Description: Members sailing club for sail boats and also canoes/kayaks
Location: Albany Reach
Link: http://www.theriverclub.net/ (note link needs updating)

3. Skiff and Punting Club

Description: Self explanatory in the name!!
Location: Albany Reach
Link: http://www.dittons.org.uk/

4. Rowing club on the end of Albany Reach

Description: Looks like a school rowing club?
Location: Albany Reach

5. Public access slipway @ the Swann

Description: Pier to drop your own boat into the water. No parking (parking is for islanders)
Location: Swann Pier
Link: n/a

6. Public access pier @ the Albany

Description: Pier to drop your own boat into the water. Note: smaller than Swann pier but generally easier access, parking is at the pub so I guess permission required?
Location: Between the Albany pub and the Skiff and Punting club
Link: n/a

7. Summertime ferry to Hampton Court from Cigarette Island

Description:  (can someone help on this one?)

8. East Molsey - Drawdock

Description: Free drawdock no parking canoes and small boats only
Location: River Bank, East Molesey, Middlesex, KT8

9. Ditton Reach Slipway

Description: Free slipway no parking
Location: Next to Ajax Sea Scouts, Ditton Reach, Thames Ditton, KT7 0XB


10. Hampton Canoe Club (affiliated to BCU!)

Description: Kayak and Canoe club with boats to hire and also members can bring their own boats (plus racks to store them)
Location: Bell Hill, Hampton -> http://www.hamptoncanoeclub.co.uk/location.html
Link: http://www.hamptoncanoeclub.co.uk/

Juninho

Accepting that  your thread is on getting onto the River.... once you get acquainted with the Thames, try dropping into the Mole somwhere near Cobham or even Leatherhead and follow it until you get back to the Thames. This takes you past Painshill and many other scenic spots. Best only in Summer and with another paddler. I have counted 19 Kingfishers on one day. It takes about four hours.

we're planning exactly that trip next year actually!

Hi,

When you put in on the Mole at Cobham/Leatherhead, where and how do you actually get into the Thames from the Mole?

We canoed a lot of the local stretch of the Thames this summer, slipping in at Ditton Reach, and travelled up to Weybridge with my 9 year old. We try to avoid the locks as the boats jam themselves in and it is very intimidating, and the rollers are easy to use at Hampton Court and Sunbury. But we were looking for something new and when we went into the mole at Hampton Court we were surrounded by the weirs.

By the way the Kingfishers are back on the Rythe, saw a pair last weekend, although its no good for canoeing.

Awesome tip Highways - thanks!! I'lll do that come spring (can't wait until Summer!!).


I actually have a two seater inflatable (as well as a single seater rigid) which would be ideal for some canoe ing exploring of the thames and the estuaries like the mole!

I've worked it all out -> I can drive us down in a car, drop the inflatable and paddle back home -> then jump on the foldy bike to go and pick up the car!

The best thing about the inflatable is that its so light - portage to cross locks/weirs are really easy as I can actually lift and carry it myself.

Just need a couple of canoe paddles (as only have kayak ones at the moment which are a bit splish splashy and not as relaxing as canoe ing) and err waiting for the warmer weather to convince the other half!!

Hi Redders,

I have not done the journey all the way from Cobham but I have done some exploring from the Thames at Hampton Court heading south west on the Mole (I think I have the correct river... but please correct me if I am wrong).

There is a tunnel at the weir (which has rollers but they were quite hard to use so I just carried my boat through it).

I didn't go very far down it (I was just having a nose at some of the Summer Road houses that back onto the river there! this is in hope of one day being able to afford one !).

Its also nice way to get away from the main stretch if there are lots of boats on the Thames.

Happy to do some exploring with you if you can start at say the Albanny slipway and we can see how far we can get?

I've had a look at the google overhead maps and I can spot a few more weirs on the mole itself  - for example one just when you get to the island barn reservior.


.

There is a couple of very small weirs (circa 2 foot drops) that you have to pop over near Cobham  (certainly nothing technical) two large weirs you need to carry around and when you get down to the large weir by  M & S (where the Mole meets the Ember) there is a tunnel with rollers. I'd be up for a group trip of 3 or 4 canoes and have two spare touring canoes.  I'd caution against an inflatable in case you puncture (perhaps they are tougher than I think!)

I tried to do it in Winter when there was flow and had to abandon... not a wise time to do it. If you follow Google Earth and work backwards from Cigarette Island you should be able to follow it. In theory the Mole goes all the way to Gatwick!   Not a technical paddle but can take 3-4 hours or longer if not in a hurry. First part near Cobham and Painshill area is very scenic but a bit dull near the end when you pass the reservoirs. 

solves paying for parking there too!

It's much more fun to start upstream and paddle down!

Lets do it! We can organise it come spring? I have a mate at work who lives in Haselmere who is keen (but he would drop off) - we can arrange transport back to the drop off point for all of us this way.

I have never done any sort of 'drop' - so even 2ft sounds a little daunting and would prefer to do that in a group!!

The inflatable is reasonably tough - but I could always take the rigid...

ps Craig - if your canoe/kayak shop is open in time perhaps we can organise the tour under its banner?

just a thought... !

I will have to explore the rollers, I must admit we only poked our head in as we saw the signs saying PRIVATE KEEP OUT, although they did look old.

We would be up for a trip if you wouldnt mind us joining, although we have a 2 man sit kayak, so we will have to carry round the 2ft drops although more than happy to give it ago. My co-pilot would be my son, although he's more than capable.

Looking for a quieter stretch to paddle as the Thames was worse than the M25 last summer.

I'm definately up for a bit of exploring and would be nice to have some other paddlers (in the just in case scenario!) - errr just to warn you I'm very unfit after the excesses of xmas so will probably be a bit slow!

My cousins husband has been inspired by me to buy a single seater as well so I'm sure he would be keen as well. I have the two seater inflatable to use as well if he has not bought a boat by then.

This weekend is out but if you want to pick a day/time from next weekend onwards I am in (we can pencil it in and decide closer to the time).

Where do you normally put in? Is the Swan slipway? Or Albany slipway suitable?

I keep my kayak at the BMYC on Albanny reach.

Island Paddles would be very happy for the advertising yes!

Juninho,

i must admit, I'm a fair weather player (a bit like my golf), I would probably give it a go in the Spring. Shall we look to get something organised for then, could post something on site to meet up somewhere. Also the fishing season will be over and then theres no bother we having to keep checking the bank for lines.

Also with the baby and my other exploits, its going to be hard to get out over the coming weeks.

Looking forward to it already.

yes spring would be great! lets do it then! I'll round up one/two others by then as well!

I have to confess even though it was nice and sunny over the weekend I thought it would be a little too chilly!!!

I am persevering with winter golf though and managed to get out at 7:30 am on Saturday.

this was interesting as I hit some lovely approach shots (of course I did!) only to watch them bounce off the green...

I was out on the river on the weekend, powered craft not canoe though, can confirm, bitterly cold, v pleasant though!

Looks like this Saturday is the last chance to get onto the river before another cold snap hits us!!!

Spring issue of mag (downloadable today from magazine page - hard copy distributed from this Ffriday) contains a merry article under this title.

Have you researched what is / is not available from Taggs boatyard?  The place at the end of Ferry Road?  (Is that still going? - I hired a small motorboat there years ago.  Isn't there a public slipway there, too?).

is that taggs boatyard too down there then?

Yes ! its on my list on the first post of this thread!

1. Taggs Boatyard

Description:  Hires out small electric and outboard boats for river cruising.
Location: Summer Road
Link: http://www.taggsboatyard.co.uk/


I've rented a small boat from there a few times. Never managed to rent their row boat (I think its fictional!). I didn't realise it was a public slip - I thought it was just theirs? That said the Swan slip and Albanny slip are a lot more handy and easier to access.

I think Keith is talking about the road down the side of the Ferry not Taggs on summer rd

Ah good point - no I was not even aware of that. Using street view it does indeed look like a public slip down that way!! And a mention of Linnsen Yachts as well as what looks like a boat house.

There is also Thames Ditton Marina (further down on Portsmouth Road) which I suppose I should include in the list as its close enough.

I'll try and cycle over that way this weekend to research both and add them to the list.

I think the one on ferry road is open but doesnt have rentals, I see people slipping small rowing boats on there sometimes.

No access to water for general publuc from the marina as far as I know

When the list is worked up (there are also places / boat clubs above the bridge at Hampton) I'll make a page for you on the web site which can be updated with a definitive version, with rates etc.  I think the Kingston Grammar clubhouse on Albany Reach also houses / hosts rowing shells for other clubs (I know that the redoubtable Sarah Searle rows from there of an evening, as she is a source of several amusing stories, and I'll ask her for details)

I don't think its for the public either.  Used to be owned by Martin Wilberforce, now retired.  The marina I think is just for boat owners to moor, get hauled out & repaired etc.

One or more of these little boatyards was/were used in the war for the manufacture of landing craft for the D-Day landings.  It must have been part of an enormous and secretive operation - building thousands of the things at various locations so that the true scale of preparations would be hard to detect; and bringing them all together for the landings.  Amazing.  But beyond that, I don't have chapter and verse on what was built exactly where, so if you or others come across details 'd be glad to have them (I did phone Taggs a couple or three years ago).

The Thames Ditton Marina lists its services on the website:
http://www.thamesmarina.co.uk/
Not a public slipway as such but I guess worthy a mention on the list for people with larger boats or people looking for a mooring? I believe Taggs also provide mooring services but looking at the number of boats they have this might not be the most convinient.


The public slip way at the end of Ferry road is an excellent spot though, a nice alternative for people living south of Portsmouth Road.

The school row club I have listed but don't have much detail yet - I'll try and catch someone there to find out.

Not long to go until Spring now - hope Redders and a few other people who have commented on this thread are up for that tour!

I don't know whether you/we want to include narrow boat hire, probably getting a bit commercial (unless there are residents with boats to loan or hire?) but something I've enjoyed in the last century - and they are still going - is a long weekend or four days starting at Farncombe Boat House (Catteshall Lock) on the Wey near Godalming, where I used to live long ago.  You can go down the Wey, which is lovely, and out on to the Thames.  We went as far as Kingston and back.  They have some smaller narrowboats, so it could even be a romantic weekend for two, if your partner thinks narrowboating is romantic

I've always wanted to do this - I was thinking more like 2 weeks to go to Oxford and beyond (and then back)!

Might have to wait a few years though - as I only seem to get one 2 week block off a year...

my wife went narrowboating once and described it as hell so not much chance of me getting her in one!

To my utter amazement, my First True Love and eventual hubby ended up buying a narrowboat for long summer cruises round the British waterways system in retirement.

Four days down the Wey and back is nice (and you can take the kids though sometimes they fall in) but longer than that now and I would be dying for a broadband internet connection.  And it's got to be pretty.  The Grand Union wouldn't suit me at all.

With the glorious sunshine I hope you're all getting out onto the river!!

Apparantly going to hit 23 degrees tomorrow!!

;D

The flowers are all out on the river bank of Albanny reach - so even if you don't manage a paddle then its worth a trip.

Or you can always walk to Hampton Court to see the daffodils!

Is it just me - or recently spring has been better than summer?

I hope stories of crazy swans (like Tyson - see link below) has not people off going on the river!!

I assure you - the swans on our little stretch are quite calm! The only thing that seems to excite them is when they are being fed bread on the river bank.

Link from this mornings metro:
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/894561-tyson-the-vicious-swan-forces-boat-users-to-abandon-river

Or, in case you prefer the telegraph (Keith! ;) ), its also covered:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9171431/Tyson-the-swan-causes-canal-no-go-zone.html

LOL - go, Tyson!

I had a very entertaining Sunday as a young man helping to catch and ring swans in Warwickshire.  I know you want to hear how to do it, particularly in the light of threats such as the above. 

We used canoes to round them up in late summer when they were starting to moult and less inclined to take off.  You then take a long pole with a shepherd's crook at the far end, snag your swan round the neck and gently draw him to your arms (he is unable to get loose when on the water, as he has insufficient leverage).  You lift him out by the neck and make dead sure you keep his wings folded in.  You then sit on him until the ringer comes along with the ring.  On release, he wags his tail and returns to the water quite happily.

I got rather wet, though.

Thats quite brave!

Fancy a job sorting out Tyson?

Unlike his namesake I don't think he'd go for an ear but you'll have to watch out for those wings as they look like they pack quite a punch!!

they do, i spent a couple of hours up by hampton court last year with another boat trying to free a swan which had got snared in a fishing line, became impossible in the end and the swan was getting distressed so we cut the line and let him go, big old birds though!

The cobs are a different proposition in the breeding season!  If a swan is taking the initiative you have a problem.  I would retreat....  When I was doing my day ringing, we were taking the initiative (but sedately) and it was in the moulting season when things are much calmer.

Apropos....

()

Man vs Goose

Right it is spring time (ish) so maybe we should try and schedule this in!!

I actually am on a kayak course the next two sundays (one day course and one day touring) - so looks like it would have to be early May. b/h weekend I guess is out for most people - so what about either saturday May 12th / sunday May 13th?

I convinced my cousins husband to buy a kayak and he also has his at the bmyc club now! And he is also going to invest in some roof bars for his car for two kayaks so he can take myself and him to wherever!

I quite like the sound of the route Highways suggested. So we would drive up to Cobham and drop in there and paddle back to Thames Ditton via Mole. We have done the tunnel so thats easy enough, its just the drop I am a little worried about but what the hey!

And then we can finish at either the Albanny/Swan and I can drive people back to pick up their cars!

So who is interested. It sounds like we have enough boats (I also can lend the inflatable if required but I think a rigid is probably better for the reasons highways outlined).

No takers so far?

I hope you're not all put out by the thought of those Chipper boats that craig mentioned in his post?

We shouldn;t see hardly any other traffic on the Mole (sandwiched between weirs)?

Redders/Highways - not tempted?

I have a mate who is keen on his kayak (he bought the same one I have!) and also know of someone who lives nr Kingston with a cnaoe but would need help getting it to the starting point.

Alternatively - we could 'scope' out the journey first and hten make it an annual Thames Ditton thing - i.e. get a whole bunch of boats on an annual tour.

i'd have liked to but time is my issue at the moment, just dont have any :(

sounds a great idea though.

You'll have to make time for this - it'll be worth it!

Will take I think circa 4 hours and end you back up right at home !

What I'd like to do is get a quorum from this forum and then we all try and convince other people along - ideally trying to get maybe 6+ boats out with say at least 10 of us.

I'm up for it and have a few spare kayaks. Very different type of paddle, but if you wanted a practice paddle, do Sunbury lock and back and if this goes well, I'm sure you woudl enjoy the Mole.
How about mid-May?

Cheers

Andrew

Nice one Andrew!

So far we have :

Me (kayak)
Martin (kayak)
Andrew


And the pencilled in date of Sunday the 13th of May. Sod the reccie lets just do it!
Any other takers?

Juninho, still a little bit cold for me!!!! Im supposed to be at the out laws in Devizes that weekend, Mountain Biking.

If things change, can we just paddle up. I have a 2 man Kayak, and it would be my son ((10) or a mate) and myself. Is there much lifting in and out the river?

Actually Redders that is a splendid point and idea, i.e. we can for the first 'run' paddle from Thames Ditton and return.

Would like to include you and Andrew in the first run as you both were keen - so how about we try and pick an alternative suitable date.

I know if we can get say 4 boats out - well then I reckon I can arm twist some other people!

20th of May?

Or a Saturday?

At the moment the weekends in May are doable except for the b/h ones (I believe same for Martin). What about you two?

I'll start a seperate thread regarding the inaugral Thames Ditton easy paddling day!

And keep this one more about getting onto the river.

I just completed a 2 day course (spread over 2 sundays) at the Hampton Canoe Club. This is the 1 star course.

I cannot more highly recommend a course if you're interested in kayaking. They use their own boats (which are very sleek/fast but not the most stable!!) and provide all the equipment. Once completed you can either invest in your own boat or join their club. I have been paddling for a few months now and still learned loads but the course was actually just as well tailored for relative novices. As long as you're reasonably fit (i.e. can get in and out of a kayak, lift it etc) you'll be fine !

So thats two excellent places that cater for people to learn how to canoe/kayak/row in our vicinity.

The skiff and punting club (right in our village) or the canoe club just over in Hampton!!!

A few weeks back: I also spotted a bunch of canoes near the Brasserie under Hampton Court bridge which also looked like a course. I wish I had asked them who they were but at the time I assumed it was actually the Hampton Court canoe club. This weekend I asked them and I was told they don't actually run canoe courses (confusing name!) so I would love to find out who the outfit I saw was.

This in case anyone fancies a canoe course in our vicinity (canoeing is a lot more relaxing when compared to kayaking and more family+dog friendly!!).

They had a few two man green indian style canoes and two single seater red canoes (which seemed to be what the instructors were using).

If anyone knows about this outfit please post up some information on here.

Where can one hire a punt?  It is a while since I last practised the art, after a second and final marriage it no longer became necessary.... but one yearns sometimes to have a pole in one's hands again (if you know what I mean) and stand on the high end as one should.

Mind you, those narrow racing punts were never suitable for taking ladies upriver and I avoided them like the plague:
(http://residents-association.com/news/skiffers/thumbs/K0003351.jpg) (http://residents-association.com/news/skiffers/images/K0003351.jpg)

The punts I saw in the skiff and punting club looked like the narrow ones but it might be worth asking there?

Or you could invest in one and store it at the BMYC - here is one from a quick google:
http://www.clovellyboats.co.uk/page17.html

BUT might be worth joining a forum for it and seeing what they recommend:
http://www.ukpunting.com/

I've actually only ever seen one person (a lady in fact) out on one of the skiff and punting club punts - and that was last summer. But it looked like a lovely way to mess around on the river and with spring in the air I am looking forward to seeing more punters out and about!

(hopefully you admin!!).

Hi Juninho

I'm not sure if I can make the 20th. Mid week is much easier for me. There is a still quite a bit of flow at the moment which would make the Cobham sortie very dangerous. There are lots of trees and roots on the Mole which means it can only be run when there is close to zero flow.  Hopefully the rain will stop and things will return to normal.

Best  Andrew

The island paddles paddle boards should arrive in the next month or so, it's probably as close to punting as one will get without being on one, if anyone  wants a go. Just holler

Hi Andrew - no I think you're right best to wait! I haven't been out myself since Sunday as every evening its been miserable, wet and windy! I'm debating on whether or not it will be ok this evening!

craig - looking forward to that! Maybe we should make the inaugral Thames Ditton paddle a paddle board one!!

Did anyone ask Caring Homes at the meeting about giving river access via their Garden either as part of a section 106 or goodwill.

If they are not developing, can't we temporalry usen the lawns to the river would make easy access for canoes. I think I did read they encourage a community use.

I am sure Boyle Farm residents would be delighted for you to use their new slipway which was provided by Caring Homes!

Hi BlueSky- if you go to the first post in this thread I have listed the current ways to launch your canoe in our village!

Happy to assist at any of the public slipways.

This whilst you're campaigning to open up the waters at the HOC!

dont know if you've seen the access to the water from the HOC but I'd say it would be far far easier to use one of the slipways to enter the water

Craig, I see you've been doing some research into boat hire, and live opposite Taggs: how are things going for them?  I'm sure we'd all like the name of Tagg to be perpetuated (though I don't think any Taggs are now involved with the boatyard, are they?), and it would be good if the boatyard thrived so that we did not have a recurrent threat of some oversize conversion into flats....

Any other boatyards nearby to hire from?  What are the rates - an all-important matter!

Yeah, they are near to me and a great little business, Jeremy is a lovely chap.
Their website has the rates: http://www.taggsboatyard.co.uk/

and they have a new facebook page launching too, www.facebook.com/pages/Ditton-Cruisers-and-Harts-Cruisers/226544540793756

Ref other companies doing the same, there are more upstream, personally i'd stay away from J martin opposite the Mitre Hotel, they claimed to me they have no insurance and tried to put the onus onto the renter, puts me off that.

Hmnnn  £22 per hour for a rowing boat on weekends.......

So (product of my own researches last week...) - on Saturday 29 June 1799 Catherine and Capt Robert Lambert Sr had lunch at their daughter's in Weston Green,  then "went on the Water at Thames Ditton."  Her accounts entry reads "the Boatman, 1/-" 

Today one shilling from 1799 for boat plus boatman would be around £4 using the retail price index or £52  using average earnings.  So I guess an unmanned rowing boat at £22 is roughly in line!

I don't know whether 'the Boatman' at that time was a Tagg, the family's heyday was in the mid 1800s, but quite possibly!

(PS: how did Martin's respond to your bill for the damage btw?)

PPS: I know The Island has its own summer party/regatta, but I have often thought it would be great if the islanders held a summer party, maybe in those hazy days of August, to which us mainlanders could be invited.  How about it?!

Now you've got me thinking about this....the obvious source of revenue is the vast number of visitors in the summer to HC palace and also the festival and the Flower shows there.  Do Taggs go touting on the other bank?  I expect there are restrictions, but what's to stop a tasteful waterborne marketing pitch, bringing a boat over to a hirer on the Palace side?

.... hmnnn... some classic historical theme, 18thC Boatman included, cucumber sandwiches and tea, see the Palace as Royalty would have done arriving by barge, if you're lucky our local editor will regale you with stories of times gone by for a fat tip and a bottle of champers....

similar idea has been talked about, the large issue is that the green which is the only communal area, is very small and just on an island function its totally chockablock so adding more people onto it would be impractical. the second issue is that as with any community, everyone has to agree and you just cant get everyone to.

Ah if its rowing boats you're interested in:
I have asked about the rowing boat @Taggs in the past but its always been unavailable (see earlier posts on this)... I suspect it does not get used much so is too much of a hassle to get out unless the day is nice?

I am sure the skiff and punting club will let you 'trial' a boat.

Or - there is a rowing boat available for members to use at the BMYC. This only costs a 'suggested' £5 donation for each use (but does require you to be a member - @ £85 a year).

Or if you have a one star qualification you can use the canoes/kayaks at the Hampton Canoe Club for a guest fee of a fiver.

Finally - I'm more than happy to loan you (or anyone else!) the inflatable canoe I have !!!

The BMYC website is back up and running thanks to a kind member who got it all sorted!

So lots of information here:

http://www.theriverclub.net/

This is a just brilliant resource for anyone planning a longer river trip: Route planner (http://www.canalplan.org.uk/cgi-bin/canal.cgi)

One can play around with speed, etc. within the options tab.

Thanks Ratty!

I have noticed a lot more boats out as the weather has turned for the better.

Now we just need to organise that Cobham down to TD paddle... !

yeah it was like the M25 yesterday!

I noticed some rather drunk men. Is there not any laws about being drunk in charge of a boat?

I think from memory there is a bylaw. I don't think drinking in moderation is a problem on a boat especially if the speed limits are adhered to, it's when you get stag parties etc it gets out of hand.

SO !

When is the inaugral Thames Ditton paddle (Cobham to the Swan via the Mole,Thames)?

Can we set a date?

I know at least 2 other people who are keen to join besides me.

All we need is about 5/6 boats!

Highways happy to lead?

Island paddles website online soon btw, first trial shipment arrived a few weeks ago.

I have a sit on top kayak which I find is great for getting out and about. Been up as far as teddington lock.

On a lighter note. When I was younger (many moons ago) the town where I lived had an annual raft race from the centre of town to the river mouth approx 3 miles.
The event was a fun, family and buissiness day where local buissiness and villagers had to build their own raft to run the race. It was a fantastic event which brought the town together. It was great for buissiness to as it brought many outsiders to the area.
It could be a great annual event for our village it could start at the swan, up to Hampton court bridge and around the island and finishing again at the swan.
I think an event like this could begin to put "Thames back into Thames Ditton"

Agree, raft races are great fun, we've always had one on the Island Duck race day although I think H and S bods have put a stop to it now :(

Thats perfect for the inaugral Coham to Thames Ditton (via the Mole/Thames) event!!

Just waiting on Highways Contact now so that we can be led by someone who has done it before!!

Edit: Redders was interested too.

So if you join then that is at least 4 from this forum and I know at least 2 other people from the boat club who would be keen!

Just need to firm up a date but looks like it will have to be post Olympics...

Weekends are tough times to get a pass. Mid-week much easier but I will see what I can negotiate with Mrs Highways. I'm going to be very busy in the next month or so with a little planning application currently being lodged with Elmbridge.

No problem! We can pick a date well in the future.

How about .... Sunday September 2nd?

This is the day after my bday so I may be a little worse for wear but its going to be a gentle paddle right?

For anyone keen who does not have a boat I have a two seater inflatable that I am happy to lend!

Just came across the website for these guys that operate from by the Swan London Kayak Tours (http://www.londonkayaktours.co.uk/)

Is this your new venture Craig?

It's not me Ratty no, I've heard they are very good though. We will start with sales then possibly get into hiring too. It's an onerous area. If you do organised tours then the legislation on h and s is pretty clear but if just renting them out without an instructor there doesnt seem to be much of a ruling on what you can and can't do. I'm still investigating and if anyone knows or finds out then id be interested to talk.

Good spot Ratty - that was kind of the thing I was thinking way back when I posted this as an 'idea':
http://residents-association.com/forum/index.php?topic=371.msg3107#msg3107


I'll add them to the main list on the front of this thread as well!!

Really looking forward to seeing this all up and running!!

If you'd like a contact I can speak to the instructor that did my canoe course?

I would guess she is all tied up doing courses with the Hampton Canoe Club (as well as various Duke of Edinburgh things she also does!!) but I am sure she might know of a qualified instructor or two who might be interested in possibly being involved - when you decide to go down this direction?

SO - does this date work for everyone...

anyone?

Article for Craig: A rising tide for stand-up paddleboarding (http://lat.ms/PUZIW6)

Happy Birthday, BTW. Hope your guests all made it!

Brilliant, thanks so much and yes they dd indeed!

No one!!

Was hoping redders or highways contact at least!

:(

I am going to change the date to Sunday the 9th. I have at least 3 others from the boat club interested.

I will keep you posted. If you don't fancy the paddle possibly you can join us at the Swan / Albany when we are done!!

Sorry Juninho, been a bit caught up in some sporting events.

I will put Sunday the 9th on tHE calender, it looks free, but then again Mrs Redders our DMF is away and hasnt filled in September yet!

I will be in the a double kayak, with my son or friend. Its a bit of a lumps, is there many weirs to negotiate?

Cheers

Nice one Redders!

Tbh - I have no idea! Looking at google earth view maps I make it 2 weirs , not including the one at the end where we have the tunnel option.

I believe Andrew (Highways contact) has done it before and he said we could drop off! But we can all help each other with any portage if necessary!

Still hoping Highways will join us to be the 'guide' but if not then I will try and do a reccy run before the date with a friend.
Are you able to get your boat to Cobham ish area (start point)?

Hi Guys

I have a pass for 9 Sep if we can get away early.  Say, leave TD at 9am. Yes, there are two weirs which we walk around and near the beginging there is a very small drop off. Sounds worse than it is. It's about 1-2 foot which you just paddle over. At the end we go through the rollers where we meet the Ember and get back to the Thames. It takes circa 3 1/2 to 4 hours depending on what kayak you have and your fitness. Pretty much anyone should be able to do it.
I have one spare kayak and another at a push (bit of a tub).  I'd prefer not to take inflatables. They are slow and may not like going over the drop off. Also, four or five is probably a good number.  Trip is ok in the rain but not safe with any flow. We would need to drop off in Cobham. Possibly I can get Mrs Highways to help if I can find a neighbour to look after the kids.  Max on my roof would be 3 kayaks.

Andrew

Nice one Highways - glad to have you on board! Saves me doing a reccy and you can be the guide. 9am is perfect.

I think we're sorted then and we don't need any other boats for this one (no need for inflatables either!)

Redders / Highways you'll have to bring your own boat and car (possibly both boats on Highways car?) and I'll ride with a friend and we can take two kayaks (rigid!) on his car. Then at TD I can drive us four/five back to your cars (my mate and I will just leave our boats at the boat club) to pick them up!

Anyone else who joins from the boat club I will make sure they work together to retrieve cars + boats!


So weather allowing - its done and set in the diary!

Chaps,

I will off line for a few weeks, so will get back to you once im back on line.

It sounds like a good day lies ahead.

BBC regional: Work to repair a lock on the River Thames in Surrey will begin a year early after efficiency savings were made, the Environment Agency has said.  Repairs to Molesey Lock will see the lock chamber refurbished between January and March next year.  The work is taking place as part of a £2.75m scheme to maintain 12 Thames locks from September to March. In Surrey, Sunbury New Lock will close from 21 January to 15 February. Molesey will close from 7 January to 8 March.

thats good news, what would people want to do if they need to pass though?

You lot still on for Cobham to TD?

yes definately!

My cousin is out though (he is away that weekend now) - so I may either need help getting my kayak there or I can take someone elses boat on my oh's car?

I'll see if anyone else is keen? Or just as happy to keep it to us 3/4 (Redders was a him + 1 right)?

What time did you want to set off? Earlier the better I reckon but up to you guys.

I would have enjoyed it but I'm on full time childcare at moment!

A canoe would fit a child or two in there without any issues!

;)

3 and a dog? :D

Umm perhaps we'll have to rig a paddle board towed behind the canoe for the dog?

So Redders and Highways - are we still on for this this Sunday.

Looks like we have the perfect weather for it:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/kt7

May I suggest a stupidly early start?

7am ? We can meet perhaps in the Albany car park and set off together (this way we can determine boats / etc)?

Thanks Highways Contact for leading us (and err waiting for me at the second weir as I was dawdling along)!

Come spring we have to organise another tour and this time I will make sure we rope in a few more people.

A slightly more lesiurely tour this time!

Perhaps Weybridge back to Thames Ditton stopping at the Weir en route?

sounds hardcore!

Photos or it didn't happen!

Sadly I didn't take any... !

The route was from Cobham back to TD - 13.5 miles apparantly so a fair distance (the river winds... a lot!).

What's happened to the planning application at the Boatyard?

it was done without the current owners consent and was withdrawn some time ago

Bump bump - this thread in case anyone else can add to the master list on the first page!

Graham sends in these photos from yesterday to show that the slipway is being used!

[img width=500 height=334]http://residents-association.com/images/slipway_1.jpg[/img]

[img width=500 height=334]http://residents-association.com/images/slipway_2.jpg[/img]

[img width=500 height=334]http://residents-association.com/images/slipway_3.jpg[/img]

[img width=500 height=334]http://residents-association.com/images/slipway_4.jpg[/img]

Ha, I was stood next to him as he took that picture. I was out in that car last week, great bit of kit

I saw that car driving around the village and I was super excited!

Is it a one off custom build? Can it 'stay' in the water!

I want one!!!!!!

Gosh - I would have been so shocked to see that car in the river - I would probably have called the Police just in case someone was drowning!

It could stay in the water yes. Made by a small independent company, really well thought out

You have to buy one you know that!!

Just think of being able to drive up to your house, park outside and unload the groceries!

Humm - maybe I could've thought of some less mundane activity for it!!!

Ocado would go bust if I did that! ;)

Fair point - thinking of the greater good of the economy rather than yourself!

and besides, I do get my shopping and pull up to my door :D

We've just placed an order with Waitrose who are now doing their own deliveries (free) from Cobham cutting out Ocado, offering the same range offers as in store.  Their web servers / db are slow but search and retrieval is good.

But we'll still do veg and what other shopping we can in the village.

yup, I'm not sure waitrose deliver to the island, I'll check, they should as my neighbour set up their online grocery service.

We're ordering as much as we can from the village now, about to place a large christmas veg order from Paulls.

...I just can't bear paying £4-50 for a pawpaw, much as I love it with a sprinkle of fresh lime juice - they grew on the trees in my back garden in Mozambique and later Jamaica!  (But I could not resist a custard-apple for old times' sake).  However, their other stuff is good value compared with the supermarkets, as well as fresher and riper and....local!

really?  They took the right marketing decisions (price matches, offers the same as in store, free delivery).  In my webbie hat, I think it's well thought out and the search facility is very effective at finding the right thing (much quicker than browsing the online shelves); but the server response time - or it may be the time taken to access the database - is painfully slow.  Needs more welly.  And I know that is not my connection, which is testing out regularly at 31MBps plus.  But we are getting off-topic, although river-crossing supermarket deliveries perhaps  are, well, marginal

hahaha indeed. Have you tried out the ocado app. On the ipad its unbeatable ive found. (although Ocado are sometimes rubbish)

Nope - no ipad...  (Thinking of getting the MS Surface Pro when it's out, though fewer apps to date).

Back OT - I expect Juninho will be giving us an app to get onto the river, with water heights, speeds in knots, slipway nearest your postcode etc.  After all, he hasn't much else to do while tied to the house & new baby....

Haha if only!!

I am supposed to be doing half days from home this week but I have barely been managing that!

And my visions of spending these two weeks on paternity leave floating on the river (in between the baby sleeps of course) were sadly quite delusional!

Yesterday I managed only managed 15 minutes out of the house in total. ... And that was to go the super market (Waitrose of course) to stock up on a few baby essentials. I'm sure the more seasoned amongst you fathers can guess what we were perilously close to running out of! And here I thought we were well prepared with lots of supplies - boy was I mistaken on that front as well.

Mind you - I did let the OH off the hook so she could go to meet some friends for coffee (I reckon therein lies my mistake).

Work is a lot easier than this I can tell you that!!!

Man, you won't BELIEVE how much kit they require.  Or at least, that their mothers affirm they require.  A hardened Africa hand myself, I used to argue that a mother there needed only a brightly coloured cloth in which to sling her contented baby (they were always contented) while she worked on the machamba cultivating the family veg.  But ours are just not logical and practical are they?!

Anyway, there's always the next GoodAsNew sale to look forward to (those are really good)

Not to go too far off topic but Mrs Vmax has done this thing called baby led weening which has meant we're almost put of using nappies at 1 year old, bit of hard work but has paid dividends. Saves on cash and also the environment too (yawn) ;)

Sadly I missed the Gloriana yesterday!

I looked it up on the net and I read it was setting off at 10:45 from Hampton Court so sauntered over the boat club at 10:30 and it had already been and gone...

:(

yeah I happened to be out at 10.20 and it came by then so I joined in the flotilla alongside Highways contact.

Amazed it was half an hour early after they'd scheduled it all online, shame.

I think the online 10:45 was a guestimate time based on the ceremony starting at 10. In hind sight I should've gone at 10!

AS for going along side - I would've loved to have joined too had I known the time.

That and the wife is not so keen I take the baby on the kayak ... yet!

Maybe if I had a canoe...

hmmm !

(off to look at canoes on ebay now!)

what sort of thing you need? we have some stored at Taggs.

Something big and safe that the missus will trust me to take the baby out on!

Yet small and light enough for me to shove on top of my car!

The internet is amazing... !

http://www.babycenter.com/408_when-can-my-baby-go-on-a-boat_1368525.bc

Hmm prudence seems to dicate I have to wait until she is the right weight to wear a pfd... and also until she can sit up...

This is interesting: "never leave an infant in a car seat on a boat  " - I saw a baby in a car seat attached to a pram on a smallish motor boat just the other day...

sent you a mail bud

On a side note - it was lovely to see lots of boats out over the weekend! The skiff and punting club in particular seemed to have lots of boats out and about!

Was more than a bit jealous but my time will come...

Craig sent in this one of the Gloriana ("Tudor Pull" indeed - pull the other one  :) )

(http://residents-association.com/news/images/craig_gloriana.jpg)

Argh - looking at that picture it would've passed so close to the boat club !

How frustrating !

Thanks for the picture though!

Right - I have managed to organise a small tour leaving the boat club on Sunday the 15th of Sept at 9:30.

This is open to all - you can drop in next to the slip way at the Albany.

This will be very leisurely - set off at 10am up the weir, lunch/beers there and then back!

Please feel free to join and if you need a boat - well no one has accounted for my two seater inflatable yet and I'd happily set it up for you!

Any other takers?

We have about 5 boats right now - setting off from the boat club! Would love to have some more.

Still not too late!!!

Would love to have a few more takers on this!

I'm tied up already sorry mate

I meant to write up last week - we had quite a succesful paddle (only 5 boats and all from the boat club) and the weather played ball. We kept it very simple - just a paddle up to the Weir for lunch, a few beers and then back.

Looking to organise another one in mid October - Sunday the 20th and hoping to get more people out !

Pencil it in your diary if you're keen and I will confirm closer to the time (weather dependant of course!).