Maldon, Heybridge Basin
April 28, 2022
28 Apr '22. HM 174. Maldon - more eccentrics per square foot than anywhere on earth!
So said the wonderful Noel Probyn, owner and skipper of 1910 49 ft Classic Gaff Cutter "Hardy" (photo 7). In the absence of the official council HM, we were introduced to several "characters" in this amazing corner of Essex, which until recently had 40 wooden shipwrights employed building and repairing traditional Thames barges.
We sailed Good Dog into neighbouring Heybridge Lock Basin at the end of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation canal, and were greeted by several cheery Lock Keepers including current boss Paul Hindley and his predecessor Colin Edmond. Colin had worked the lock for 25 years and in his youth had sailed famous barges such as Hydrogen and Marjorie.
Maldon (of the salt fame) can only be described as the living heartbeat of traditional barges and classic boats. Time slows down here as there is a lot to mull over - like how on earth do you sail a 120 ton Thames barge up a winding shallow river with 2,400 sq ft of sail and no engine! Luckily in the Barge Captains' bar of the Queen's Head in Maldon you can still find all the knowledge you need for this, supping a salty pint.
Noel told us (among his many other stories) how he is trying to get Maldon & Heybridge Harbour recognised as one of 6 official "Heritage Harbours". This would protect the quayside from being developed into flats and preserve the strong character of the town and stop the trades of wooden boatbuilding and sail making being driven inland. I can see his point - once it's gone, it's gone, and the whole attraction of places like Maldon disappears for residents, visitors and the young apprentices it currently attracts. GOOD LUCK Noel.
Maldon has 1,000 years of maritime history, but is a fragile place. We were very lucky indeed to bring Good Dog to meet some very salty Essex Sea Dogs!
So said the wonderful Noel Probyn, owner and skipper of 1910 49 ft Classic Gaff Cutter "Hardy" (photo 7). In the absence of the official council HM, we were introduced to several "characters" in this amazing corner of Essex, which until recently had 40 wooden shipwrights employed building and repairing traditional Thames barges.
We sailed Good Dog into neighbouring Heybridge Lock Basin at the end of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation canal, and were greeted by several cheery Lock Keepers including current boss Paul Hindley and his predecessor Colin Edmond. Colin had worked the lock for 25 years and in his youth had sailed famous barges such as Hydrogen and Marjorie.
Maldon (of the salt fame) can only be described as the living heartbeat of traditional barges and classic boats. Time slows down here as there is a lot to mull over - like how on earth do you sail a 120 ton Thames barge up a winding shallow river with 2,400 sq ft of sail and no engine! Luckily in the Barge Captains' bar of the Queen's Head in Maldon you can still find all the knowledge you need for this, supping a salty pint.
Noel told us (among his many other stories) how he is trying to get Maldon & Heybridge Harbour recognised as one of 6 official "Heritage Harbours". This would protect the quayside from being developed into flats and preserve the strong character of the town and stop the trades of wooden boatbuilding and sail making being driven inland. I can see his point - once it's gone, it's gone, and the whole attraction of places like Maldon disappears for residents, visitors and the young apprentices it currently attracts. GOOD LUCK Noel.
Maldon has 1,000 years of maritime history, but is a fragile place. We were very lucky indeed to bring Good Dog to meet some very salty Essex Sea Dogs!