Dear Fellow Chatters,
Sailing barge ‘Westmoreland’
“Westmoreland’ is a Spritsail rigged Thames Sailing Barge. She was built in 1900 by Alfred Marconi White at Conyer. She is now the only surviving Kent Brick Barge of her type .
Owned by Eastwoods Brick makers her working life was spent based and trading from Lower Halstow dock . She is so much associated with the parish that she figures on the Parish Sign. Unfortunately, 40 years ago Barge trading gave way to road and rail transport so she became redundant.
These last years have not been very good for her . Not only did she suffer a disastrous accident moored at Hoo, when she was broken in two ,she has spent most of the last years deteriorating. Luckily Colin Frake purchased her and completed some repairs at Standard Quay ,Faversham to stave off her demise.
With the fast development of Standard quay into a Yuppee paradise an old kent barge in need of repair is considered an eyesore so she had to by moved.
Temporarily she is housed in a Lighter at Otterham with no permanent berth for restoration.
Luckily Barge folk Geoff & Jane Gransden got together with others to form the “Westmoreland Trust” and with the aid of obtaining a lottery grant she should be Sailing again within 4 to 5 years
Geoff who restored and owns the Barge “Edith May” hoped to bring the Westmoreland back to her old home at Lower Halstow Dock for restoration. They had restored and operate the Edith May there .
However despite overwhelming support from the local villagers and the Mayor of Swale at a public meeting ,the Lower Halstow Parish Councillors (who are supposedly elected to represent the people of the village) voted “unanimously” against the proposal strangely changing from a split vote at an earlier meeting!. The Barge has more connection with the village than most of the councilors. (my opinion)
I am hoping that most of our forum members are like minded with me and wish to preserve as much of our local heritage as possible. If the Parish Council decision is not overturned by public protest the Westmoreland will probably be lost forever.
I have put links below, where you can read about Westmoreland and this project in more detail .
If you care as much as I do that this project to save a unique sailing barge can get underway in the Dock that was her home for 60 years please post your supporting comments on the sites. Thanks in advance, Roger.
http://www.edithmaybargecharter.co.uk/westmoreland-restoration/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=583360797#!/pages/Edith-May-Trading-Company/293868044580http://www.lowerhalstowpc.kentparishes.gov.uk/default.cfm?pid=messages 