New PSPS Website

This will be the final posting made on this blog as a new PSPS National website has now gone live and will replace the previous PSPS site as well as the various Branch blogs. The new site has been created by Scottish Branch member Roy Tait. Roy has worked exceptionally hard over the past month or so to create the new site and in the coming months it is hoped that the new site will continue to expand and include on-line membership.

The new PSPS National website has sections devoted to each Branch and all Branch news will now be posted on that site. It is hoped that blog postings will continue to be written and submitted to the Branch Committee as the new site develops.

New site address www.paddlesteamers.org

Click on the address above and read how PSPS members will gain FREE access to Friends of Waverley Sailing Membership in 2014 in addition to being able to purchase 20% cruising discount vouchers.

WESSEX BRANCH MEETINGS

Date	Subject or Activity	Time and Location
Saturday 5 October 2013	Inaugural meeting at Dartmouth “The History of PSPS” Peter Lamb Further details	2.00 p.m. at Dartmouth Yacht Club, 22 South Embankment, Dartmouth, TQ6 9BB
Saturday 2 November 2013	“Seems Like Only Yesterday” A miscellany of Steamer Films Martin Oatway	2.00p.m. at The Holiday Inn, Herbert Walker Avenue, Southampton, SO15 1HJ
Saturday 4 January 2014	“The Last of the Line” A retrospective on Classic Cruise Ships and Liners Ashley Gill	2.00p.m. at The Holiday Inn, Herbert Walker Avenue, Southampton, SO15 1HJ
Saturday 1 February 2014	Branch AGM followed by at 2pm by “Paddle Steamer Causerie” An excursion around the coast looking at steamers from the distant and not so distant past Brian Jackson	1.00p.m. at The Cliffeside Hotel, East Overcliff Drive Bournemouth BH1 3AG
Saturday 1 March 2014	Revised programme “Against all odds – the story of the ‘Shieldhall’ and the impressive plans for her future by Graham Mackenzie.  ‘Kingswear Castle’ – The story of 2013 and plans for 2014. ‘Waverley’ – A visual presentation of the paddler’s 2014 programme	2.00p.m. at East Cowes Town Hall, East Cowes, Isle of Wight
Saturday 5 April 2014	“Campbell Steamers, Solent To Sussex” Mike Tedstone	2.00p.m. at The Holiday Inn, Herbert Walker Avenue, Southampton, SO15 1HJ
Branch Secretary: Peter Lamb email WessexBranchPSPS@aol.com

INVITATION TO THE PADDLE STEAMER PRESERVATION SOCIETY

WESSEX BRANCH GRAND CHRISTMAS SOCIAL WEEKEND

AT THE SUNCLIFF HOTEL, EAST OVERCLIFF DRIVE, BOURNEMOUTH BH1 3AG

SATURDAY 7^th and SUNDAY 8^th DECEMBER 2013

ALL P.S.P.S. AND ASSOCIATED SOCIETIES AND GROUP MEMBERS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS, ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE WESSEX BRANCH SATURDAY CHRISTMAS LUNCH AND SUNDAY RIVER CRUISE. BARGAIN OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION IS OFFERED AT THE FASHIONABLE BOURNEMOUTH SUNCLIFF HOTEL WITH STUNNING VIEWS FROM ITS CLIFFTOP LOCATION.

THE SUNCLIFF IS A FIFTEEN-MINUTE STROLL FROM BOURNEMOUTH STATION/TRAVEL INTERCHANGE

 

PROGRAMME – SATURDAY

RENDEZVOUS IN THE HOTEL LOUNGE FROM MIDDAY. LUNCH IS SERVED AT 1p.m. A  CHOICE OF FOUR STARTERS, FOUR MAINS & FOUR DESSERTS + COFFEE & MINTS £19.50 (SEE BOOKING FORM FOR MENU).WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT LAURENCE CADE HAS AGREED TO GIVE AN AFTER-LUNCH PRESENTATION ENTITLED “THE MEDWAY QUEEN STORY” PLOTTING THE REMARKABLE HISTORY OF THIS DUNKIRK HEROINE IN TIMES OF WAR AND PEACE. EVENING ENTERTAINMENT WILL BE COURTESY OF SANDIE ARMSTRONG PRESENTING “THE STORY OF THE WESTERN LADIES” (TORQUAY’S FAMOUS PLEASURE BOATS) FOLLOWED BY SHOW OF RARE STEAMER FILMS COURTESY OF ANDREW GLADWELL CONCLUDING AROUND 20.30.

WHEELCHAIR-BOUND GUESTS PLEASE NOTIFY WHEN BOOKING.  ACCESS TO THE RESTAURANT IS BY A FLIGHT OF FOUR STEPS.

N.B. BOOKINGS CLOSE FOR CHRISTMAS LUNCH ON FRIDAY 22^nd NOVEMBER.

 

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION

WE ARE PLEASED TO OFFER A BARGAIN OVERNIGHT RATE OF £28.50 WITH FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST (FOR FRI, SAT & SUN). THOSE WISHING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OFFER SHOULD CONTACT THE HOTEL DIRECTLY (01202-291711) QUOTING THE EVENT OR E-MAIL VIA WWW.suncliffbournemouth.co.uk . ROOMS ARE EN-SUITE  AND MANY HAVE SEA VIEWS. GUESTS CAN ENJOY THE EVENING ENTERTAINMENT AND FITNESS SUITE/POOL AND GAMES ROOM.THE HOTEL BAR IS OPEN THROUGHOUT OFFERING TASTY SNACKS AND A RANGE OF BEVERAGES.THESUNCLIFF HAS A LARGE CAR PARK. ADJACENT STREET PARKING IS AVAILABLE AT A NOMINAL FEE.

 

PROGRAMME – SUNDAY- TWO HOUR POOLE HARBOUR LUNCH CRUISE DEPARTING AT 11.00.

SHELTERED POOLE HARBOUR AND ISLANDS  CRUISE DEPARTING POOLE QUAY ABOARD MESSRS. GREENSLADE’S “PURBECK GEM” – 170 PASSENGERS/HEATED SALOON/TOILETS/REFRESHMENT BAR/COMMENTARY. TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE PREVAILING TIDAL CONDITIONS THE CRUISE WILL VISIT AREAS OF THIS REMARKABLE HARBOUR NOT USUALLY INCLUDED ABOARD SCHEDULED CRUISES. HOT LUNCHES (SEE BOOKING FORM) WILL BE LOADED AT LAKE PIER FOR CONSUMPTION DURING THE COURSE OF THE CRUISE.

“PURBECK GEM” HAS WIDE-OPEN DECKS. HOWEVER, NUMBERS FOR THE CRUISE WILL BE LIMITED TO THE CAPACITY OF THE HEATED OBSERVATION SALOON.  SEASONAL MULLED WINE WILL BE AVAILABLE.

DEPARTURE POINT - OPPOSITE THE “POOLE ARMS” AT THE JUNCTION  OF “OLD ORCHARD” AND THE TOWN QUAY.

REMEMBER – WEAR SUITABLE SEASONAL CLOTHING !

VARIOUS CAR PARKING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE WITHIN FIVE MINUTES STROLL OF THE DEPARTURE BERTH

FOR A BOOKING FORM OF BOTH EVENTS, PLEASE CONTACT :

PETER LAMB – TELEPHONE 01202-757332/07718-934425 or e-mail : WessexBranchPSPS@aol.com

ADVANCE BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL - BOOKINGS CLOSE FOR THE BOAT CRUISE (ONLY) ON DECEMBER 3rd

N.B. THOSE WISHING TO ATTEND MAY BOOK FOR EITHER OR BOTH OF THE EVENTS.

 

EXCURSION PROMOTED BY THE WESSEX BRANCH, PADDLE STEAMER PRESERVATION SOCIETY.

PASSENGERS ARE CONVEYED SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE OF GREENSLADE’S PLEASURE BOATS.

MAPS FOR BOTH VENUES ARE AVAILABLE WHEN BOOKING, UPON REQUEST

 

SPECIAL NOTICE - M.V. "BALMORAL"

The Balmoral Support Group have arranged the following public meeting in Southampton.

Saturday 2nd November 2013 at 11.00.

The venue is the Holiday Inn, Southampton SO15 1HJ. This meeting will precede the Wessex & Dart branch, Paddle Steamer Preservation Society meeting that follows at 14.00.

Members of the group will outline their future vision for "BALMORAL" in a passenger carrying operational role. They will be pleased to answer questions and receive ideas for consideration. Remember this is the LAST CHANCE to save "BALMORAL" so please come along and give your support if possible.

Paddle Steamer Waverley South Coast Sailings

South Coast sailings from 6th until 26th September 2013

PS Waverley arriving at Bournemouth Pier

For Full details of all sailings visit www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk Phone 0845 130 4647

 

SOUTHAMPTON DEPARTURE POINT

 

SOUTHAMPTON Sail from Southampton Docks. Sept 7, 8,13,14 &15 sailing from 104 berth, dock gate 10, Western docks. Sept 20, 21 & 22 sailing from 49 berth, Eastern docks.
Car Parking normally available – charges apply

 



Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle's first public sailing from Totnes

 

 

On Sunday 16th June Wessex Branch members and friend travelled by coach from Bournemouth and Dorchester to board PS Kingswear Castle for her first public sailing from Totnes since her return home from the Medway.

 



Kingswear Castle approaching Totnes Steamer Quay





View from Kingswear Castle approaching Totnes

Chris Wood Chairman of the Wessex Branch presenting the PSPS flag

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PSPS Flag flying from the mast

Some of the Wessex Branch members on deck

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 A few historic photographs of Kingswear Castle 

Laid up on the River Dart prior to purchase by the society



 


On the River Medina Isle of Wight



Sailing down the River Medina at Cowes



Parade of Steam on the River Medway





PS Monarch Charter

The small Paddle Steamer Monarch is due to enter service in May this year offering cruises along the river Frome from Wareham Quay.

 Monarch was built in 1984 and has seen service in Kent and on the Medina in the Isle of Wight. Extensive refurbishments have been carried out which involved her sponsons and paddle wheels being removed.

The Wessex Branch are chartering the vessel for a day on Friday 24th May.

Further information is given on the booking form below.