Any Tideway owners out there

[MoodySabre]

Today I went to the funeral of Lew Walker who built Tideways.

Lew was a consummate people person - a gentleman and wit. Scooped off the beach at Dunkirk in 1940 he led a full life. He was 90 and sharp to the last. It was standing room only, a fitting salute to a good bloke.

 

[Katouf]

Tideway owners

Never managed to own a Tideway but sailed them when I was in the Sea Scouts. Had intended to buy a second hand one when I retired but SWMBO said it was too small for her to go in - we ended up with a Centaur!
I heard that Lew destroyed all the plans, jigs etc of the Tideways when he retired from building them in Leigh as he didn't want anyone else messing with his design. That didn't stop others from moulding them in GRP and they made quite a neat job of it.
On a strictly local topic, were Frank (and wife Mary) Walker related? They ran Turnnidge the sailmakers at the loft in Old Leigh opposite Bell Wharf.

Alan

 

[MoodySabre]

Yes - Frank was one of Lew's brothers.

Hi Alan - how goes it? Still not bumped into you.
Roger

 

[irs101]

I learnt to sail in Tideways when I was at school. Lots of very happy memories - not least my french teacher managing to sink one. So when I moved out to Leigh, I was delighted when I found out that Lew's son lived next door to me.

Ian.

 

[double_ender]

I've had 2 Tideways over the years '63 to70 and '74 - 98. They span the bachelor days when 2/3 lads sailed over to the island and slept under a boom tent in Cowes, and the later family sailing Thames, S & E coast, West country. Our 2 girls (now producing our grandchildren) were afloat on the Tideway from age 1 until we got our Tucker Princess, first cruiser.

The Tideway had such lovely lines, sailed well and was the centrepiece of so much fun and adventure