Newtown creek anchoring charge

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peter623918

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Do fellow yachties pay when dropping anchor in Newtown Creek ? ,i guess when the chap comes round for a donation its hard to refuse ,or is it a case of stand your ground as anchoring is free, dont pay and expect confrontation.
Thanks in advance
 
peter623918 said:
Do fellow yachties pay when dropping anchor in Newtown Creek ? ,i guess when the chap comes round for a donation its hard to refuse ,or is it a case of stand your ground as anchoring is free, dont pay and expect confrontation.
Thanks in advance
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Yes, I always make a modest donation. I haven’t been in this year, always looked too crowded, but in 2019 the warden kindly gave me the Trust’s bank account details. It was then very easy to make an electronic payment if I stayed overnight, using boat name and date as a reference. It didn’t matter then if I happened to be off my boat when the warden was doing his rounds. It was an arrangement that seemed to work well for all concerned.
Mike.
 
Anchoring in Newtown Creek is free and if you decline to give a donation, the harbour master will just wish you a good day and move on to the next boat. No hassle and no confrontation. It's a beautiful spot, and does cost money to maintain, so if you appreciate it, then why not give a small donation?

If you tie up to one of their visitor's buoys, there is, quite reasoonably, a non-voluntary charge for that.
 
Aeolus said:
Anchoring in Newtown Creek is free and if you decline to give a donation, the harbour master will just wish you a good day and move on to the next boat. No hassle and no confrontation. It's a beautiful spot, and does cost money to maintain, so if you appreciate it, then why not give a small donation?

If you tie up to one of their visitor's buoys, there is, quite reasoonably, a non-voluntary charge for that.
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Do NT members get a dscount for those buoys, same way they park for free in NT car parks
 
I always donate a fiver if I'm asked, doesn't seem too unreasonable to help keep the area as a nature reserve. After all if the Government had had it's way in the 1960's it would be a nuclear power station now. However, if I'm not asked they miss out. I would certainly rather give my money to the NT than Lord Montagu. I can't see that they have anymore right to enforce an anchoring charge in the Beaulieu river than the NT at Newtown. Further, I don't see how it is right that anyone should be able to own a river! As you may have guessed, I never go there.
 
jac said:
Do NT members get a dscount for those buoys, same way they park for free in NT car parks
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No, they don't. Something to do with the way the Charities rules work.

On the subject of owning rivers, Keyhaven is owned by Merrick Estates and leased to NFDC - and like Beaulieu they cn and do charge for anchoring. See also Yarmouth where anchoring within the harbour limits (outside the sea wall) is also chargeable!
 
jac said:
Do NT members get a dscount for those buoys, same way they park for free in NT car parks
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Apparently they used to get free use, if flying a National Trust burgee - I inherited one from my great-aunt which she used for this purpose in (I would guess) the 70s and 80s. Not any more as far as I know, though.

Pete
 
We are in there many times a year and always hand over a fiver. We were gifted a lifetime NT membership so I wouldn't have a problem refusing to donate but I'm very relaxed about spending. The warden will usually only visit you once, no matter how long you remain. The warden is a very laid back and civilised guy who enjoys a chat.
Keyhaven, on the other hand, I never fail to point out to the warden that his river is now the most expensive place to anchor in the Solent, even outstripping the Beaulieu river. I have even complained to NFDC about the level of charges, apparently the RYA are looking for a legal case against anchoring charges to support. They were instrumental in getting the compulsory charges in Newtown dropped.
 
Unlike certain other places where all I see for my XX extracted beer tokens is a shiny whizzy centre console spiffy launch with very shiny very large outboard come whizzing out into what is basically an open water anchoring area and demanding “fees”, I am really happy to support the NT at Newtown and their ability to rebuild stone walls, paths river banks etc.
Of course I could refuse

In years past, joining the NT brought financial advantage when anchoring at Newtown..
Years before that, when I were a nipper, charges were based on a single contribution toward the maintenance of navigation marks , so called ‘ light dues’ payable upon entry, iirc.
Be interesting if the practise of blanket anchoring charges , if stoutly challenged, reverts at all. Yeah/maybe/not a snowballs chance ....???
 
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When we were in the UK we used to love Newtown Creek and a small fee for anchoring to keep the area well kept is a price well worth paying. There is no minimum payment so pay what you feel is right, we used to pay £5 per night when at anchor and to me it was money well spent as NC is a wonderful place to spend some time.
 
We always make a small payment of £5 which seems ok.

I’m worried they might fill it up with moorings if no one pays to anchor!
 
National Trust membership has no bearing on the price of using a mooring buoy. When it comes to anchoring, others have described how impeccably behaved and understanding the warden is. If visiting a National Trust site by car, membership of the trust means there is no parking fee or admittance fee- it’s included in the annual membership fee. Some might decide the same applies to parking/anchoring in Newtown while others will make a donation even if they are National Trust members. Either way is stress-free.
 
The stress of Newtown creek is perhaps gaining space. If the fees applied are used to fund a warden and suchlike it seems entirely reasonable to charge . If the money is wasted on the mainland maybe more a cause for concern if no benefits are directed to the local area.
 
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