The Medway ....it all started at 1215.AD

[oldgit]

"All fish-weirs shall be removed from the Thames, the Medway, and throughout the whole of England, except on the sea coast."

Since Runnymede the Medway locals have been defending their rights to fish for Oysters and other fishy stuff via various Royal Charters.
The tradition is carried on today by the Rochester Oyster and Floating Fishery who have held the Charter since the 1500s.
Every year in conjunction with Rochester Cruising Club a beating of the bounds weekend takes place.This cruise also visits the site of HMS Bulwark which blew up loading munitions early in the first world war and a wreath is cast on the waters to rememeber those who lost their lives during this conflict.
A few pictures follow(lots actually) of the weekends events.
Making ready to depart

All shapes and sizes

This beauty recently went to Dunkirk and is owned by forumite "Slowboat"

This one is off to Germany and beyond next week

Members of "ROFF" line up with the ELF and safety boat close behind

First day of beating the bounds involves going up river past Cuxton and forumite UNIT18

The destination stone marking the upper limit of the fishery

The church at Wouldham where "Kiss me Hardy" of the "Victory" is interred.

Now where did I leave my rib ?

The race back(the free buffet starts in 30 mins. The boat at the front has the Mayor and Admiral onboard.

Before we can eat and drink we get the speeches in "olde" english from a bunch of visitors from the fishery at Southwark ????

.
The evening continued with a hog roast until the early hours.Some of us went to bed.
Day two involves going down river with a far greater number of boats about 75 to be exact.
We fire a cannon at all the sailing clubs we pass.
Getting ready to go

Passing Upnor Castle and Chatham Dockyard

Going past HMS Bulwark and the local tugs giving a watery salute in the distance.

Finally out to the Montgomery for another wreath laying and back into Queenborough for bit of tiffen just in case anybody is unable to wait for the buffet awaiting in the clubhouse..

A proper raft .

.
The race back

A blimming good weekend allround what with the weather and all.
Thanks for looking. Oldgit

 

[epervier]

nice post Fred,

thankyou for sharing.

 

[Bassplayer]

"The evening continued with a hog roast until the early hours.Some of us went to bed.
Day two involves going down river with a far greater number of boats about 75 to be exact.
We fire a cannon at all the sailing clubs we pass"

Did you hit any? Or did you create enough wake to upset the raggies anyway?

 

[Stoaty]

I was hoping you might have had some pictures of the fireworks. Guess you were too knackerd to go. There is a couple here But none of my boat looking like it was on fire. There should be some video posted soon.

 

[No Regrets]

Cheers Fred, nice scenery and narration!

 

[oldgit]

I was hoping you might have had some pictures of the fireworks.


Sorry Stoaty but after the odd snifter on the way down due to the heat,a quick one on the way backdue to dehyration en voyage to Queenborough and one or two to be socialble at the buffet and a couple to help the BBQ go down,up the boaty apples and pears proved to much.
Here one took earlier

 

[GrowingLad]

Thanks for that, looked a cracking couple of days!

 

[AndieMac]

Looked like a well organised and well attended event, thanks for the report OG.

 

[Stoaty]

Fuse Medway festival video here

I wish some one had told me the fenders were still out.

 

[oldgit]

Fuse Medway festival video here

I wish some one had told me the fenders were still out.

Err .....both of them !