MV BALMORAL FUND LTD - FUND-RAISING APPEAL TO RETURN BAL' TO SERVICE IN 2014

Balmoral arriving at Newport in  2011

June 2013 - An appeal has been started to raise the necessary funds to return mv Balmoral to pleasure cruising in 2014.  A copy of the appeal leaflet with full details on how to donate, appears on the tab/page above (or click here) 
Donations of £250 and above entitle donors to discounts on Balmoral sailings.

All proceeds of the fund-raising will contribute to Balmoral's restoration, preservation and re-entry into passenger service in 2014.  

A company (MV Balmoral Fund Ltd) has been set up in association with Waverley Steam Navigation Co and the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, to manage the fund-raising.  The company is entirely run by volunteers and has no paid staff. 

KINGSWEAR CASTLE trip 22nd May 2013

Peter Devrell has been on his travels again and has sent in some 'stills' and a short video of a trip he did on the river Dart aboard the paddler Kingswear Castle.  The link to the YouTube video is HERE

KC alongside at Dartmouth

Lifebelt

Ships bell and builders plate

Approaching Dartmouth from the sea

Back alongside

Off on another trip

PHILIP (CLIVE) POWER - Scattering of Ashes

The ashes of Captain Phil (Clive) Power will be scattered at sea, on Saturday 1st June (12 noon ?).  The RNLI Penarth Lifeboat will be carrying out this duty, just off Penarth Seafront.

The family would like all those who knew or worked with Phil to attend.  There will be a 'do' after the scattering, at the Penarth Yacht Club.

For any members thinking of paying their respects at Penarth, would you please let Moyra know - she can confirm the time - and can give the family some idea of numbers.  If you don't have Moyras phone number, send an email to: bchannelbranch@gmail.com 

Peter Havard

BALMORAL 2013 FUND

                                                         
                                                BALMORAL  2013  FUND

You will have read in the current edition of Paddle Wheels the article about Balmoral written by Nick James. The proposals for static use in Bristol this year are still under discussion, and we hope for an outcome shortly.

However, even static use will require some finance, in advance of a major appeal which will have to be made if the ship is to return to service in 2014. Works currently required are the weatherproofing of the Purser's office and cabin, now largely completed by our dedicated volunteers, up-grading of some electrics and the fire alarm system, and final connection up of the sewage holding tank system, most of which was installed a few years ago.

At a recent Branch Committee meeting, it was agreed that we would establish a  'local' fund to cover the costs of these works, in advance of a major appeal to be launched later to enable the ship to resume sailing in 2014.

The immediate appeal is to raise £4,000.00 to cover the above necessary works, and to have a small balance in hand. Any surplus will be transferred later to the main fund.

If you would like to donate, you can send a Donation, made payable to P.S.P.S., to:-
PSPS Branch Treasurer, 2 Rockleaze Court, Herbert Road, CLEVEDON, BS21 7ND

Cashing your cheque will be your receipt  - to keep costs down. However, if you require a separate receipt, please enclose a S.A.E.   Gift Aid can be applied to all donations, if you are a UK taxpayer and would like us to claim 20% Gift Aid from the government, please attach a note to your payment with your Name, Address and Postcode plus the amount of your donation and asking for it to be 'Gift Aided'. Donations can also be handed in at our forthcoming Branch AGM on April 13th

At the Meeting on 23 rd. March a cheque for £500.00 was received from the estate of the late Ken Jenkins, and further Donations of £525.00 were also received,all to be used for the 'Balmoral 2013 Fund...................so we are over 25% of the way there!


Patrick Murrell

UPDATED - BRISTOL CHANNEL TIMETABLE 2013

The timetable for Waverleys Bristol Channel sailings is now available on the Waverley Excursions website and appears below:-

The annual Milford Haven sailing out to and around the Pembrokeshire Islands - is provisionally scheduled to take place on Tuesday June 25th.

Peter Havard
                             

NOTES FROM BRANCH MEETING - 24/03/13

Some news from todays meeting:

Waverley will be sailing on the Bristol Channel from 3rd June to 23rd June inclusive.

Waverley timetable for the Bristol Channel should be on-line in the next few days - the paper timetable should be out in the next two weeks.

Ways of utilising Balmoral in a static role (for 2013) are being pursued - with the assistance of our contacts in Bristol City Council.

There will be a small fund raising appeal (to raise £3500) to prepare the ship for the static role.  About £2.5K needed to finish the ships sewage holding tank system. About £500 needed to set up a 'heritage display' with the assistance of Andrew Gladwell.   The appeal got off to a good start - a member at the meeting immediately wrote a cheque for £500 - well done that person!!  Full details of the appeal and the scope of the work required  will be sent to members in the next week or so.

It is likely that there will be a larger fund raising appeal later in the year, to raise the funds necessary to get Balmoral ready for the 2014 season.

Peter Havard

NEW CHAIRMAN FOR PSPS.............

Members will no doubt be interested in the following announcement that was posted on the PSPS web site on 13th March:

PERSONNEL CHANGES

Following the withdrawal of Balmoral, and aimed at strengthening the way in which the PSPS supports Waverley’s operations, Douglas McGowan and Terry Sylvester return to key positions within our Society. Members will remember Douglas and Terry, along with Capt David Neill were the three stalwarts who masterminded Waverley’s entry into operational preservation back in 1973. Additionally Terry planned (in association with the Masters) timetables for the whole of Great Britain and Isle of Man and Southern Ireland together with fares, advertising and passenger management etc., and was closely associated with arrangements for Balmoral’s return to service. Douglas has become interim Chairman of the PSPS following Myra Allen’s decision to stand down, and Terry becomes the PSPS nominated Director of Waverley Excursions Limited and Waverley Steam Navigation Limited, in Myra’s stead. Noel Kemp (Chairman of Bristol Channel Branch) joins Terry as the other PSPS nominated Director of Waverley Excursions Limited taking over the finance watching brief on the Board, enabling Martin Longhurst to concentrate on his other important role as Treasurer of the PSPS.