oldgit
Well-known member
After the hiatus of C**** the annual Beating of the Bounds of the Rochester Oyster Floating Fishery* in conjuction with Rochester Cruising Club took place last weekend.
The Mayor of Medway is the Admiral of the River for the tenure of their period in office.
A Royal Charter for the river has been extant since 1446 and ROFF* were granted management of the river in 1729 by George II and have been running the fishery ever since, challenging and winning, a legal case against some very powerful political interference in the early 1980s.
Day one involves a cruise up the river the Hawkwood Stone which marks ROFFs boundary with the juristiction of the Mayor of Maidstone.
The Mayor of Maidstone usually has his cruise downstream on the same day and we usually meet at the boundary and fire a cannon at them .............with impeccable timing we managed to miss each other by about 30 minutes.
Ready for the off. Saturday .
Heading up stream towards the Hawkwood Stone.
Hawkwood Stone
Sunday. Downstream to Sheerness.
Mayor and Mayoress of Tonbridge and Malling.
We fire a cannon as we pass each boat club, we fired a single shot at Medway Yacht club they fired about 4 or five in return
..something we said perhaps ?
Off towards the wreck of HMS Bulwark for a wreath laying ceremony.
The Tug KENT with a Piper and the Sea Cadets aboard are holding station as we pass.
On towards the other end of the ROFF boundary at Garrison Point greeted by the RNLI and one of the Svitzer tugs.
Inshore boat crewed by a lady well known to anybody who frequents the "ADMIRALS ARM" in Queenborough.
Out to Sheerness
Then onto the ATL at Queenborough for "refreshments"
Members the Medway and Swale Boat Association aboard DAWN OWL obviously looking forward to some "refreshments" .
Moored on the ATL in Queenborough.
The Admiral on board LILIPANGA going back up to Rochester Cruising Club moorings for the Sunset Ceremony.
A very pleasant weekend and thanks to all the invited guests and especially the around 40 boats who got involved.
Rochester Oyster and Floating Fishery - Kent & Essex IFCA
The Mayor of Medway is the Admiral of the River for the tenure of their period in office.
A Royal Charter for the river has been extant since 1446 and ROFF* were granted management of the river in 1729 by George II and have been running the fishery ever since, challenging and winning, a legal case against some very powerful political interference in the early 1980s.
Day one involves a cruise up the river the Hawkwood Stone which marks ROFFs boundary with the juristiction of the Mayor of Maidstone.
The Mayor of Maidstone usually has his cruise downstream on the same day and we usually meet at the boundary and fire a cannon at them .............with impeccable timing we managed to miss each other by about 30 minutes.
Ready for the off. Saturday .
Heading up stream towards the Hawkwood Stone.
Hawkwood Stone
Sunday. Downstream to Sheerness.
Mayor and Mayoress of Tonbridge and Malling.
We fire a cannon as we pass each boat club, we fired a single shot at Medway Yacht club they fired about 4 or five in return
..something we said perhaps ?
Off towards the wreck of HMS Bulwark for a wreath laying ceremony.
The Tug KENT with a Piper and the Sea Cadets aboard are holding station as we pass.
On towards the other end of the ROFF boundary at Garrison Point greeted by the RNLI and one of the Svitzer tugs.
Inshore boat crewed by a lady well known to anybody who frequents the "ADMIRALS ARM" in Queenborough.
Out to Sheerness
Then onto the ATL at Queenborough for "refreshments"
Members the Medway and Swale Boat Association aboard DAWN OWL obviously looking forward to some "refreshments" .
Moored on the ATL in Queenborough.
The Admiral on board LILIPANGA going back up to Rochester Cruising Club moorings for the Sunset Ceremony.
A very pleasant weekend and thanks to all the invited guests and especially the around 40 boats who got involved.
Rochester Oyster and Floating Fishery - Kent & Essex IFCA
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