Christmas at The Cottage Hotel 2024 booking details

KINGSBRIDGE ESTUARY BOAT CLUB
(THE CLUB)

Details of our 2024 Christmas event at The Cottage Hotel follow.  I would urge members intending to take advantage of the overnight stay offer to book with the hotel as soon as possible.

KEBC CHRISTMAS DINNER 2024

Our Christmas Dinner is at the Cottage Hotel on Saturday 14th December at 7.00 for 7.30/7.45pm (sitting down)

BOOKING FORM FOR MEMBERS ONLY
Please fill in the Order Form below for the Meals for every member of your group so that you will be sitting together.

Please SEND YOUR PAYMENT AND A STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE as tickets will be sent to you. Your payment will not be cashed until after the meal.
TO     Linda Lee, The Barn, Coronet Place, Fore Street, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 1PT Reservations only accepted with payment.

The Menu is for Three Courses and includes Coffee/Tea and Mint
at a cost of £35 including a Tip
Wine can be ordered on the night. House Red, White, Rose      £24.00 per bottle.       (Other large selection of wine available)

KEBC CHRISTMAS 3 COURSE DINNER 2024

STARTERS
Chef’s Homemade Soup of the Day with Bread and Butter (v)
Atlantic Prawn and Diced Smoked Salmon Cocktail with Lobster Sauce
Potted Ham Hock with Pickled Vegetables and Toasted Sourdough
Mulled Wine Poached Pear, crushed Walnuts, Stilton and Baby Gem Salad (v)

MAIN COURSES
Traditional Roast Turkey Sage and Onion Stuffing, ‘Pig-in-Blanket’, Cranberry Sauce and Gravy
Beef Bourguignon, Creamed Potato, Red Wine Gravy and Parsnip Crisps
Oven Baked Fillet of Sea Bass, Roasted Fennel, Salsa Verde and Lemon
Roast Aubergine, filled with Butternut Squash, Roasted Walnuts, Spinach and Brie (v)

Served with a Selection of Seasonal Vegetables and Potatoes.

DESSERTS
The Cottage Hotel Pudding Plate (a trio of Homemade puddings)
Traditional Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce

Assorted Yarde Farm Dairy Ice Creams with Wafer Biscuit
…
English Breakfast Tea or Fresh Filter Coffee and Chocolate Mint
(all inclusive of Christmas Crackers)

Contact Name _________________________Tel No : _______________________

Membership Number ____________________

ORDER

X Christmas Meal @ 35.00 £
Cheque enclosed payable KEBC for TOTAL

Special overnight accommodation Bed and Breakfast rates are available for those attending festive events, inclusive of VAT. (sv = sea view)
ROOM GRADE Price per couple / Single Occupancy
Premier Balcony (Double/Twin) sv £199  / £169
Large Standard Balcony (Double/Twin) sv £129 / £99
Standard Balcony (Double) sv £119 /  £89
Cottage (Double) sv £109 £79
Budget Back facing (Double/Twin) £89 /  £59
Budget Back facing (Single) – £49

Please book your accommodation direct with the Hotel.

The Cottage Hotel, Hope Cove, Kingsbridge, South Devon, TQ7 3HJ 01548 561555 info@hopecove.com

 

 

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September Newsletter

Report from your committee including the Christmas Dinner Date!!!

Your committee met on Wednesday Sept. 4th at the Regal and received reports from officers.  Membership now stands at 169 family memberships, meaning we probably represent over 300 people.  Our finances are in good order, the latest payment was our contribution to the Kids Afloat (which we run in conjunction with S. Pool boat club) which amounted to £650.  This sum is paid from our charity account which is kept fluid by raffle ticket sales, donations, etc and does not use members’ subscriptions.  We also contribute towards the annual visit of Children from Chernobyl which has not taken place since the outbreak of war in Ukraine.  However we have continued donating as funds from the UK still go to help the young people affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Boatwatch has progressed mostly quietly through the summer with no major ocurrences up to the recent disappearance of a large RIB.  There are numerous boats moored on the Kingsbridge pontoons without effective springs leading aft from their bows.  This results in damage to the vessels’ bows and to the fendering on the pontoons.  I did check one offending boat against our register of members’ boats and, naturally, it transpired that the offender was not a Club member!  However if any member notices that any of their neighbours are not properly moored, perhaps they could give them a little friendly advice.

We have a stand at Kingsbridge Show on Saturday Sept. 7th.  Please drop in and see us for a chat about the Club’s future.

The Winter Calendar has been mostly sorted and runs as follows:

September 13th cruise in company to the Yealm.  Interested boat owners should contact Ian Slade sladeian@icloud.com
October 16th Simon Ballantine, cruise to Norway, an illustrated talk at the Regal which follows Simon’s Iceland voyage last autumn.
November 20th SW Coast path walk.  More information in due course
December 14th Christmas at the Cottage Hotel.   Get this in your calendar now, booking forms will follow later.

2025
January 15th Wine tasting at the Regal with Barrel and Still.
February 12th AGM
March TBA

We are in discussion with a potential new training provider.  Hopefully we will be able to offer courses, similar to those previously offered, next year.
Conversations between KEBC and SHA will continue now that the Harbour’s busy period is coming to an end.  Moorings, dinghy racks and liabiity insurance costs are on the agenda.

I have asked for volunteers to help with committee work many times with very little response.  Fortunately we might have found a couple of people willing to help but we could do with more.  I long for the day when I can say sorry we have more than enough volunteers already!!

Come and have a chat at Kingsbridge Show tomorrow.

See you there,
Tony Watson.

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A BBQ report and reminders of upcoming Club events

Kingsbridge Show, the Yealm Cruise and the Club BBQ.

Please remember the Kingsbridge Show on September 7th where we have a stand in the local traders’ marquee.  If you have time to spare to help out please contact Ben on ben@goggleboxuk.com  If not, come and see us anyway.

The powerboat cruise to the Yealm has been re-scheduled to September 13th.  Contact Ian Slade for details sladeian@icloud.com

A brief report on the Club barbeque which was delayed by rain follows.

The view from the top of Westerncombe garden and the revellers at the Club BBQ. Only 8 of us arrived by road and sea but we enjoyed ourselves. Our hostess joined us later and we spent a few hours in beautiful surroundings exploring the extensive gardens while consuming beautifully cooked food.

I hope to see plenty of you at Kingsbridge Show. Arrangements for our autumn speakers and the Club Christmas Dinner have started and I will be in touch after the September committee meeting. We still need volunteers for various posts on your committee, please call me to discuss possibilities on 07831 692652.

Tony Watson

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June Newsletter

A powerboat rally to the River Yealm is scheduled for Saturday the 15th June, for boats that can maintain a speed of about 18 knots.   We aim to meet at the Normandy Pontoon in Salcombe at about 10am. Anyone interested should contact Ian Slade via email, sladeian@icloud.com or mobile 07789 727253 providing the type of boat and colour, intended crew details and contact phone number. Ian will provide full details nearer the time and the rally is of course subject to suitable weather.  I need to reiterate that participation in this and similar events is strictly at the boat owner’s risk so please check that your insurance cover is adequate.  KEBC takes no responsibility. This event follows the success of the cruise to Dartmouth last year.

The presentation of Mike Atfield’s filmed biography on May 15th made the last member’s event a very congenial evening.  The film was introduced by its maker, Philip Williams, and Mike, with help from his wife Jean, answered questions afterwards.  Several signed copies of his book ‘My Life and Boats’ were purchased by members.  The book should be available through the Harbour Bookshop or Salcombe Information Centre.

Subsequent to the Harbour Board Chair’s meeting with us KEBC has re-negotiated its Insurance and we are now insured through Sabre Insurance of Kingsbridge at a significant saving.  The timing of the renewal was tight and fell at the end of half term week meaning that significant people were on holiday.  Consequently we have paid the premium for Boatwatch volunteer protection but conversations with SHA on the subject will continue.

We contiue to look for a convenient space, accessible from both land and water, to hold a club barbecue in July.  The tides make either the first or third weeks sensible and I suspect that the first week will be less crowded.  If any members have, or know of, a suitable spot please let me know; otherwise I suspect either Bowcombe or Britton’s Field will be the venue.

We will  be at the Kingsbridge Show on September 7th.  There will be a call for volunteers to help man the stand; if you are available please contact Ben Harris ben@goggleboxuk.com who will be pleased to hear from you.

From October 5th onwards there will be an RNLI fund raising Field of Light in the fields opposite Salcombe town.  It has been sugggested that we organise a boat trip, probably around October 20th to view the lights from the water. More information is available on  www.salcombefieldoflight.com

Have a warm, safe, and sunny summer.

Tony Watson

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A summary of the KEBC Committee’s recent meeting with the Chair of Salcombe Harbour Board

Please read this letter in its entirety

Summary of the meeting of the Chairman of Salcombe Harbour Authority, Cllr. Mark Long,  with the Committee of Kingsbridge Estuary Boat Club on May 8th 2024
The meeting commenced at 7pm, KEBC Chair Tony Watson welcomed Mark to the Regal meeting room and the committee members introduced themselves.

Mark had been given a summary of the items which the committee had asked to be discussed and these were dealt with, starting with the request that SHDC/SHA consider helping KEBC with the costs of insuring Boatwatch volunteers and providing high vis clothing during their patrols.  Mark reported that the authorities were broadly in agreement with this and would contribute either by reimbursing the Club’s costs or bringing Boatwatch within the Harbour’s liability insurance.  Chair Tony Watson to meet the SHA Harbourmaster to discuss the best way forward.

The need for dinghy racks to be provided at the head of the Kingsbridge Slipway, similar to the New Bridge racks, is agreed by the Authorities and it is hoped that the work could be started during the winter of 2024/25.  The installation of the skateboard park had prevented work this winter.  It was remarked that some boatowners that had small boats on the Kingsbridge pontoons might want to move their boats from  the pontoons to the racks. This to be discussed along with the design of racks when the KEBC Chair and Harbourmaster meet.

Kingsbridge pontoon spaces: there are berths that are not fully used and remain empty for long periods of the year.  SHA is aware of the problem and is looking at ways to deal with the matter.  A scheme to make it financially attractive for boat owners to make their moorings available to SHA will be investigated.

It is known that some owners when selling their boats allow the new owners to continue using the Pontoon space.  The rule is that when a boat is sold, the mooring is surrendered to SHA and is allocated to the next suitable applicant on the waiting list.  Ways of checking that boat ownership has not changed when the annual renewal of spaces takes place, including the checking of insurance documents, were discussed.  Any members aware of the rules being broken are urged to report the matter to SHA.  It cannot be guaranteed that anonymity will be maintained, if requested, especially if the matter results in legal action.

Ways of increasing the number of pontoon spaces in Kingsbridge basin are under investigation by SHA.  The removal of moorings previously owned by Rivermaid Boatyard has resulted in some commercial spaces being available.  There have been no serious applications from businesses wanting to take the spaces over.  All aspects of providing new spaces are being looked at.  KEBC will be consulted on any new scheme under discussion; the earliest time that any work could take place would be the spring of 2025 for a 2026 roll out, 2026 is also when the next dredge of the basin is planned.  Ferry access to Kingsbridge is also under discussion with the possibility of providing a pontoon landing as the Lady Mary is much smaller than the Rivermaid.

Security in the basin with CCTV cameras ashore and additional patrols by SHA, with an extra boatman being employed, is to be improved.  Patrol times are being adjusted to be more in tune with tide times than at present; SHA is working more with the police as Kingsbridge Police station becomes more active and it is hoped that Police officers will sometimes accompany SHA boatmen on patrol.

Speeding boats are not only a danger to other water users but have a negative effect on the environment as do boats that anchor in sensitive areas;  the SHA and the Environment Agency are looking at dwarf sea grass beds especially where there are gouges across them from badly navigated boats.  Buoys might be located around these beds.  In addition to environmental concerns there are often cases of boats being overloaded and driven unsafely.  SHA to run safety awareness campaigns.

The Harbour Byelaws and Harbour Regulation Orders are being updated to deal with all misdemeanours.  This could include signage on landings and slipways encouraging safe boating.

Water Quality is under review with SW Water and the Environment Agency involved. This will involve looking at the type of monitoring that takes place, expanding where identified and working with interested parties but the Kingsbridge/Salcombe Estuary (Ria) with its salt content is not so easy and requires some different monitoring from those estuaries that have larger river catchment areas.

This meeting finished around 8pm and SHA Chair Cllr. Mark Long was thanked for his very full and informative contribution by KEBC Committee members.

Subsequent to this meeting I have been in conversation with the Harbourmaster and the SHDC Officer in charge of insurances about how to transfer the cover for Boatwatch volunteers to the Harbour Authority.  As the KEBC insurance renewal date is June 2nd 2024  I am treating this item as my priority.

A very promising start has been made on all fronts with this meeting and I will keep you informed.

Tony Watson

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Kingsbridge sewage pollution

Latest news about the pollution in Kingsbridge and other matters.

Ref. the recent sewage pollution into the Kingsbridge Basin; the following has been received from South Devon Coast and Landscapes (previously S.Devon AONB).  We are also awaiting replies on the subject from the Enviroment Agency and the South Hams Environment Health Dept. via Salcombe Harbour Authority.

“ Currently South West Water (SWW) have reduced combined sewerage capacity along the quay in Kingsbridge due to excess freshwater inputs from an unknown source. We have been working with SWW in our regulatory capacity to ensure they minimise pollution risk from CSO spills to the estuary, as well as to understand the potential flood risk from the reduced capacity for surface and tidal flood water drainage and the likelihood of increased sewer flooding.
The Environment Agency understands that the most urgent issue in Kingsbridge is to resolve the frequent flooding from combined sewers.  Sewer flooding is the responsibility of the sewage undertaker which in this case is South West Water (SWW). We have been working in partnership with SWW and Devon County Council to fully understand the contribution of all sources of flooding and appraise possible solutions. We appreciate that the repeated flooding of highways, businesses and amenity areas with foul or combined sewage is significantly impacting local people and needs to be resolved.

While I appreciate this isn’t about the bathing waters per se, you might find this useful: Bathing water classifications and short-term pollution – Creating a better place (blog.gov.uk) ”

So, for the moment, all we can say is that it is probably advisable to treat water and mud in Kingsbridge as potential health hazards.

At our last members’ evening on March 20th. we were addressed by Richard Povall, acting station manager of Prawle Point NCI.  His 45 minute account of the history of Coastguard activites since their inception to deter smuggling up to the present day when safety at sea is their main activity was very informative and entertaining.  Many questions and comments were made by the members present both during the address and afterwards.  It was a very successful evening.

Our next event is on Wednesday April 17th when Tony Bale will talk about learning how to sail a cruising yacht by sailing an Atlantic circuit.

I am advised that the RNLI are having a Marine Jumble Sale on Kingsbridge Quay at the Farmers Market on Saturday April 20th.  All profits to the RNLI.  To donate your boat jumble email repullan@aol.com

Easter has arrived with gales as it often does when Easter falls in March.  Boatwatch patrols start next week, the calendar has been sent to leaders and the full calendar will shortly be posted on the web site.

Stay warm and safe.

Tony Watson

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March 2024 Newsletter – Update

Thanks to all those members who attended the 2024 AGM, minutes of that meeting will follow soon but briefly all the present committee members and officers were re-elected. David Brimson was confirmed as Treasurer. A discussion about future subscription rates resulted in general acceptance that, should the need arise, an increase to £20 pa for a family membership would be acceptable but is not required at present.

In the immediate future we have a members’ evening on March 20th at the Regal when NCI Prawle Station Manager, Richard Povall, will talk about filling a niche in the search and rescue network. 7pm for 7.30 as usual. Details of the April and May meetings are in the calendar on the web site.

Good news recently received, which some of you will already have heard, is that the proposal to allow gill net fishing in the Estuary was put to the vote at an IFCA meeting in February and was soundly defeated. Not only on technical issues but also in response to public objections. Thanks to all of you that took the time to respond.

I hope to see many of you on the 20th.

Tony

 

In the meantime the following has been received from the Salcombe and Kingsbridge Estuary Conservation Forum and might be of interest to members.

Dear Estuary Forum members

Notices:

South Devon Catchments Partnership meeting – this Wednesday (today) 6th March at 2pm – Hybrid meeting hosted from the Cary Room at Follaton House, Totnes TQ9 5NE – within the agenda (see attached) we will be covering the Dart Catchment Action Plan, monitoring form, and round table updates.

To find the Cary room, please enter Follaton House via the grand pillared ‘Civic Entrance’ – head across the ‘Old Reception’ lobby into the ‘Inner Hall’. Turn to your right and the Cary Room (G221 below) is now facing you.

To join the Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88553672794?pwd=4Dhvsm9YQHaPx3qmlL2t7GGgB2Dlgd.1
Meeting ID: 885 5367 2794
Passcode: 575509

Living Dart: The Saltmarsh Project: Phase II – You are warmly invited to attend the upcoming ‘super saltmarsh’ event on the 25th at Totnes Cinema–the culmination of Living Dart: The Saltmarsh Project Phase 2 of this partnership project, and would very much appreciate you sharing the event details with friends and colleagues who may be interested. The team has learned so much over the past several months, there’s much to share, including the responses made by the local artists who joined us over the winter.

Here’s a synthesis of the event:
• Join Bioregional Learning Centre and partners for the official ‘unwrapping’ of Living Dart: The Saltmarsh Project.
• Totnes Cinema, Monday evening 25th March from 6.30-9.30pm. This free event is a screening, learning opportunity and live artists’ performance.
• Bar opens at 6.30pm for the purchase of drinks and snacks. Programme starts at 7pm.
• Meet the team, learn from experts, experience contributions from the project artists Beth Heaney, Christian de Sousa, Clare Parker & Jade Hayes, Emilio Mula and Ivan Grieve.
• The evening will end with a Q&A to discuss how we can get to know–and protect–this vital ecosystem and carbon store.
• The event is free but please register here [Eventbrite link] – seats are going fast!

More detailed project information, including next steps for restoration, will be going up on our [BioRegion] website once we have gathered it all together and summarized it in a useful way.
We would also like to invite you to view our great new animation made with funding from Naturesave. https://vimeo.com/907185044

Bathing Waters Consultation – [Four of the 27 proposed are within the Dart Estuary] the consultation is only open until the 10 March. Anyone can respond to the consultation online via Citizen Space: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/water/consultation-on-designation-of-27-sites-as-bathing by email at bathingwater@defra.gov.uk or by post at:

Bathing Waters Team
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Ground Floor
Seacole Building
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF

Bathing Water Overall Classification 2023 – can be found on 2023 Statistics on English coastal and inland bathing waters: A summary of compliance with the 2013 bathing water regulations – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Best wishes

Nigel

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February 2024 Newsletter – Spring Social Programme

The spring 2024 social programme has been added to the calendar on the KEBC web site and is as follows:

Wednesday 20th March ‘Filling a niche in the search and rescue network’ with Richard Povall, Station Manager, National Coastwatch Institution, Prawle Point.
Wednesday 17th April ‘Reflections on an Atlantic Circuit (Learning to cruise a sailing yacht)’ with Tony Bale.
Wednesday 15th May ‘Up Against It’ with retired Salcombe boatbuilder Mike Atfield. We will be showing a DVD on the reflections of a wooden boatbuilder. Mike will be present and hopes to have copies of his book available.

All events are held in the Regal Pub ground floor meeting room, including the AGM next Wednesday, at 7.30pm. Doors open at 7.

Please attend the AGM to make us quorate and legal

Thanks,

Tony Watson

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Jan 2024 Newsletter – Wine tasting, membership subs, Gill netting in the Estuary

Wine tasting, membership subs, Gill netting in the Estuary

The survey by IFCA  about the legalising of gill netting within the Kingsbridge/Salcombe Estuary ends on January 19th.  Any members wishing to make their views known should follow the advice given in the December 2023 newsletter which you will have received by email.  The newsletter is also available on www.kebc.co.uk under whats on/club newsletters.

On Wednesday January 17th, at the Regal Pub in Kingsbridge, Barrel and Still will be hosting a wine tasting evening.  7pm for 7.30 as usual, nibbles will be available and members will be treated to a tasting of a number of wines.  The event will cost £10 per person, payment to be made to Linda on the evening.  Please let our events coordinator, Linda Lee, events@kebc.co.uk know how many of you are coming so that we have an idea of numbers. This event was well attended last year and enjoyed by members.

Your 2023 membership expired on December 31st, 2023,  except for those that joined in the last quarter of the year.  Many members have renewed their £15 subscription for 2024, thank you. Those that have not yet done so have until January 31st 2024 to make their payments; if you fail to do so we will assume that you have resigned your membership.

Look forward to meeting many of you on January 17th.

Tony Watson.

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December 2023 update and IFCA consultation on gill netting within the estuary

The KEBC Christmas dinner at the Cottage Hotel last Friday was a great success, 40 members attended and at least half of them stayed the night.  Breakfast was surprisingly cheerful and some members went for a swim!  Same time, same place next year??

We have been made aware of a consultation being carried out by the Devon and Severn Inshore Fishing Authority into the possibility of legalising and licensing gill net fishing within the Estuary.  Full details of what is involved and how to comment on the proposals are on the Devon and Severn Inshore Fishing and Conservation Authority web site. https://www.devonandsevernifca.gov.uk/formal-public-consultation-changes-to-the-netting-permit-conditions/ .More comments and amplification can be found on the web site of the Angling Trust; go to  https://anglingtrust.net/2023/11/27/statement-from-the-angling-trust–on-the-salcombe-kingsbridge–estuary-netting-proposal/  for more information.  I understand that the AOB oppose the suggestion that gill nets up to 100 metres long should be legally used within the estuary for a multitude of reasons.  Please make your own representations before the closing date of January 19th 2024.   The best time to make your feelings heard is NOW!

Your Committee met on the 18th at the Chairman’s home, the meeting was fairly brief and they subsequently enjoyed a pleasant social supper evening wiith partners.  Subjects discusssed at the meeting included the following:

Membership renewals are coming in steadily and Penny Masters is continuing to fill the role of Membership Secretary, many thanks Penny.  Tide tables and membership cards will be posted soon, probably after Christmas.

The receipts from raffles at the members’ evenings have increased this year to the extent that we might be able to extend the Kids Afloat scheme to an additional two primary schools.  The generosity of our members is much appreciated and it was reported that our Kids Afloat scheme is now a welcomed addition to many schools’ programmes.

On the web site the list of businesses giving discounts to members has been updated.  A new addition is EML Autos who are opposite the Crabshell.  For Your Eyes Only has changed its name to Huxter and Davey. On the calendar you will see that the next Members’ evening at the Regal is the annual wine tasting session with Barrel and Still on Wednesday January 17th.  Application and cost details will be available beforehand.

Conversations with the Harbour Authority on mooring availability in Kingsbridge and the possibility of a dinghy rack on the Kingsbridge slipway continue.  SHA is aware of the pontoon berths that, although paid for, are left unused throughout the year and are looking at ways to correct the situation.

This will almost certainly be my last communication this year so I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Tony Watson.

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