Lynher's August Newsletter
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Ibis reaches Southdown
Finally the journey is over!
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A quick update on Ibis as we finally managed to get her to Southdown marina at the start of the month. It took much longer than forecasted due to her fragile condition. Thanks to the support of surveyor David Cox, the Cattewater Harbourmaster and his fantastic team, the Southdown marina towing duo Jack & Jason with Nathan on the travel hoist and the stubbornness of our own team, we did it! Any sort of precaution and remedial work had been going on for this event, as well as a particularly complicated logistic operation in order to align marina lifts at either end of the Sound with tides and towing services in one of the busiest times of the year in Plymouth Sound, when Sail GP was in town! It is a miracle that everything went to plan and our thanks go to all the wonderful people mentioned above that made it happen.
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As soon as Ibis was safely out of the water at Southdown, we received a visit from Paul and Maggie Greenwood, the previous owners of Ibis who had her for many years. Paul is from Looe and wrote two books about Ibis and the fishing heritage of the Southwest. His books are brilliant and give us an insight on all manner of fishing techniques they used on Ibis under sail and engine as the biggest fishing lugger along the coastline of Devon & Cornwall. Both books are well written and rich with information that will become very useful to us in the future, they are definetely well worth a read and both feature Ibis on their front cover!
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The Millbrook Scouts get a taste of seamanship skills aboard Lynher
And of the fantastic fresh produce of the Tamar Valley Growers!
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Millbrook Scouts helped to crew the last remaining operational Tamar barge ‘Lynher’ on Tuesday 16th August on a special sailing from Cotehele Quay to Cremyll. On board they learned about the importance of the Tamar Barges and how they worked up and down the river transporting a wide selection of goods and materials during the late 19th and early 20th century.
Tamar Valley produce including fruits, flower and vegetables were transported from quays including Cotehele down the Tamar River for onward transportation to markets across the country and the scouts will be making their own lunch with produce supplied by Tamar Grow Local from local growers and producers as part of the Tamara Landscape Scheme’s Promoting our Produce strand.
The purpose of rebuilding Lynher was to facilitate the new generations to learn life skills though the use of their local heritage. Millbrook scouts experienced exactly how it was to transport produce under sail 125 years ago and prepare their own, tasty meal. Lynher CIC is very grateful to Tamar Grow Local for their contribution towards this exciting adventure and we look forward to more opportunities to collaborate in order to enhance and celebrate the rich heritage of the Tamar Valley.
The Scouts behaved in an exemplary manner, upholding the Scouts values throughout the long day thus making their leaders and parents very proud. They started at 8:30 in a wet, miserable day but their enthusiasm was unabashed. They helped us preparing Lynher and setting the sails in all safety and they listened carefully to our instructions. From teamwork to learning seamanship and having fun together, this group of Scouts did it all and enjoyed some lovely snacks and meals along the way. Well done Millbrook Scouts and above all a big cheer to their leader, Hilary Payne, below on the right, for arranging this character building experience and supporting the Scouts fundraising efforts.
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Summer celebrations at Cotehele
A celebration of the Tamar heritage
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We started the week of celebrations in the wet weather which did not stop the public turning up for our opening presentation on the 'Evolution of the Tamar Barges' where a parallel was drawn between the development of the Tamar barges design and construction with that of the demands of the trade and the resources available within the Tamar Valley that led to this particular type of barge construction. It is a joy to have found out, thanks to Maggie Watkinson, that Shamrock and Lynher once worked together for a short period and that they were both owned by the Steed Family of Poldrissik Quarry.
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The week continued with plenty of interest from the public who was ever so enthusiastic about viewing the exhibition in the boasted and stepping aboard Lynher to understand exactly how she was rigged, operated and lived during the Victorian era. We engaged the public 'hands on' by demonstrating how the cargo was loaded on and off Lynher with the crane and using the big 'donkey' winch. During the week the sun finally turned up in all its glory and the atmosphere immediately improved thanks also to our friends The Black Friday and the Norman Manx Collaboration for playing live music in the sunshine. On Friday and Saturday the lovely Rachel from Tramar Grow Local set up her stall of delicious wares and we had more fun sharing our love for fresh, locally sourced food with the public. We demonstrated how to make Bruschetta (Brou-sket-ta) and how to spell it, too, so everyone now appreciates the importance of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The lovely, restored Itchen Ferry 'Tom Tit' sailed past to add a streak of maritime heritage to the river and the talented conceptual artist Millie Van Rijckevorsel charmed us with the performance of her book 'My Eating Rituals'. Literally, we can't wait to host another week like this next year!
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Goodbye to Ellis
Onward to the next adventure!
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Ellis has completed his 3 months induction with us and he is now off to the next progression with the Pioneer Sailing Trust. The Pioneer Sailing Trust is a wonderful organisation based in Brightlinsea which provides life changing opportunities to young people on their restored Smack 'Pioneer' and at their boatyard premises at 'Harkers Yard'.
We wish Ellis all the best and to continue his progression into the maritime heritage industry. Good luck Ellis!
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Plymouth Seafood Festival
Food & Music with a maritime twist
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Lynher will take part to the annual Plymouth Classic Boat Muster and Seafood Festival taking place in the Barbican on 17th & 18th September. Join us for a celebration of the Plymouth maritime heritage and to taste some of the delicious fresh food made in Plymouth. We will sail Lynher from Cotehele to the Barbican on 17th September and transport some fresh produce from the Tamar Valley growers over to the city. The voyage is now fully booked but if you would like to reserve a box of fresh, seasonal produce to collect from Lynher at the Barbican, please contact us lynher@tamarbarge.org.uk
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Thinking of starting your own Social Enterprise?
We have created a handy guide containing a wealth of information and resources drawing from our own experience, to provide some guidelines to anyone who would like to start a Social Enterprise or community business. Click on Lynher's image below to view the pdf file free to download.
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