Chairman’s introduction

A warm welcome to the 48th Southend-on-Sea Sailing Barge Match.

This event in Southend-on-Sea has a history going back many years, and it is a delight that we can still enjoy the spectacle of these graceful craft, many over 100 years old and still sailing.

The unique features of Southend-on-Sea Pier, the longest in the world, gives one of the best vantage points for viewing and photographing these fascinating sailing craft as they compete against each other, relying on the elements of wind and tide as the crews test their skills.

Last year our Officer of the Day, Cyril Varley set an interesting course that allow all the barges to be seen from the end of the pier and come close in at the start, the finish and during the race.
Sailing Barge Edme was the only bowsprit barge to compete, as the Marjorie had not had time to repair her bowsprit, broken a few weeks earlier. Both barges were prepared to sail with a staysail rig - where the bowsprit is not used, and so there was no bowsprit class.

We are pleased to welcome the Deputy Mayor of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Sally Carr who will be with us to start the racing. We are pleased to have Dick Durham as our Officer of the Day for this year’s barge match.
Dick is a well-known local sailor whose first job was as mate on Thames Sailing Barge Cambria – the last barge to trade under sail alone, and Dick was mate when she carried her last cargo under Bob Roberts the skipper and owner. Dick wrote about his times on the Cambria in his book, a biography of Bob Roberts entitled “The Last Sailorman”. The sailing barge Cambria still survives and was relaunched earlier this year following an extensive restoration programme assisted by the Heritage Lottery Fund. If we are lucky she may now be able to take part in the Southend Barge Matches.

We are please Councillor Rick Morgan is able to provide us with a running commentary again this year as this has proved very useful and entertaining over the last 2 years.

Many thanks to the Alexandra Yacht Club for hosting the prizegiving on the evening of the match at 8pm where the Deputy Mayor will present the trophies. Everyone is welcome. For further information and to get confirmation of the results see www.thamesbarge.org.uk/southendbargematch.

We also extend our warmest thanks for the support of the Pier staff

We are hoping for good weather and exciting sailing this year. Don’t forget your camera.

David Renouf
Chairman, Southend-on-Sea Sailing Barge Match Committee