2008 Report
This year took us all by surprise with 255 craft registering over the two days. Not everyone managed to paddle the entire length but from the feedback we have received, most people enjoyed what they did.
The tea room did a brisk trade serving tea, coffee and bacon sandwiches to give the hardy folk a good send off.
Again the sea scouts helped enormously, allowing us use of the scout hut on the Friday evening, catering and helping at the portage points along the river both days. Many people were glad of their help.
We had a few problems again with people leaving later than 11.00am. Is it important for everyone to be on the river by then as it allows the sweeper boats to leave. The sweeper has to be last down the river to ensure everyone is safety through. Once they arrive at a marshalled point the marshal can leave and go onto the next task knowing no-one else is to follow. With this in mind we will be starting registration at 9.00am as usual but finishing at 10.45am next year.
We were extremely lucky with the weather again this year as the sun shone both days, especially considering the weekend before was torrential rain.
Having arranged three extra toilets at Rushbanks we were rather disappointed there were only two. For those wishing to camp we would like to point out that Rushbanks field is used by cattle most of the year and they do leave pats behind, also there are no showers on site.
It was a super sight seeing all the canoes and kayaks lined up against the hedge Saturday evening, it isn’t until you see them together you realise how many different craft are available. Five duck punts took part and it was amazing to see them sailing at Dedham. Only one made it to Cattawade, some feat as they were heavy.
We so enjoy seeing familiar faces each year at this event and remind you that as a member of the Trust you can join in our Mini S2C (Lengthman’s Cruise) on 6/7 June 2009. There is no charge, no marshalling or help at portages, just a crowd of like-minded people enjoying the river together. If you are not a member yet please join and come along.
We have received several letters and emails of thanks but unfortunately a complaint from Boxted Mill. It seems that some people were using her orchard as a toilet and the owner was understandably rather upset. We do ask that anyone taking part in S2C reads the safety rules we hand out (you will be able to download them from our website) and ensures that private areas are treated with respect.
Our thanks go to those who raised much needed money for the trust by getting sponsored. If you would like to do this next year our forms are available to download or contact our Administrator and she will post you some.
We hope to put maps of the car parks and checkpoints on the website next year and have some leaflets available at the Granary.
If you have any suggestions for improving this event please do not hesitate to contact us. Do please bear in mind we are all volunteers. If you are unable to take part but would like to help we are always very pleased to hear from you. If you can help portage (or be a Sherpa as we now refer to it) or sit at a checkpoint taking boat numbers, serve tea, butter buns etc we would love to hear from you.
At registration we give each craft a small laminated number, it is important you remember it during the weekend as you will be asked for it at the 4 checkpoints. We use this system so that if you need help and we need to contact a relative we have their details against this number. We also know you have safely gone through each checkpoint. Some people prefer to stick it on their craft with duct tape.
It is very important that anyone leaving the event lets us know either by phone (see safety notes) or informing a marshal. We don’t wish to ‘sanitise’ the event too much but with so many people at one time it is important to have some guidelines.
The most important thing is that everyone enjoys themselves. We look forward to doing it again on 12/13 September 2009. Hope to see you.
2009 event details.
Saturday 12 September 2009
Depart The Granary , Quay Lane, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2AN from 9.00am – 10.45am.
Our tea room will be open to serve refreshments to all participants and visitors from 8.30am – 10.45am
Registration takes place from 9am-10.45am at The Granary. Entrance fee (price to be confirmed) per craft includes
· Registration pack
· Temporary navigation license
· Certificate of completion for each participant
Registration is vital as each craft is logged in by our volunteer marshals at checkpoints along the river. A copy of the registration form can be accessed here and completed in advance as this will speed up the registration process on the day. Completed registration forms are to be submitted with entrance fee on the day.
It is not essential to travel the whole distance from Sudbury to the sea, so that participants who wish to experience a shorter length of river are still welcome to join in.
Safety
Participants should bring buoyancy aids/life jackets, whistle or other signalling means, all-weather clothing and shoes, first aid kit, change of clothes, umbrella, hot and/or cold drinks and food. The event will be marshalled by members of the River Stour Trust and many experienced boaters take part, so novices can receive suitable support.
Please Keep a Log
Participants who complete the whole trip from Sudbury to Brantham are encouraged to keep a log of their trip and to include any obstructions and difficulties encountered along the navigation, as a means of collecting survey data for the Trust and the Environment Agency.
Car Parking at The Granary
Due to lack of space there will be no car parking at the Granary Saturday morning. To ease congestion we kindly suggest
Day 1: Midway check point (and lunch break!)
Bures recreation ground on the Suffolk side. Refreshment details to be added
Overnight Camping
The designated overnight stop on Saturday is Rushbanks Farm, Bures Road, Nayland, Colchester, Essex CO6 4NA
No booking is necessary. Pitch Money will be collected at the campsite, charges will be confirmed
All participants will be greeted by Trust volunteers.
The Trust has arranged for additional temporary toilet facilities to be installed on the site
Friends and families are welcome to join participants for the evening. We would like to gather everyone together for the evening to socialise and keep up morale! We can all take part in a campfire sing-a-long and we would very much welcome musical accompaniment!
Please be advised that participants will need to arrange evening meal
Sunday 13 September
Depart campsite from 7.30am-10.00am. If you intend leaving before this time please go to the RST tent who will record your craft number. Breakfast details to be confirmed
We continue the final phase of the event on Sunday morning. Your personal certificate will be presented to you at the Cattawade Barrier. Please note that parking is extremely limited at this site. Please arrange for family/friends to collect you and your craft.
Sponsorship Form- If you would like to help us raise funds for the restoration projects we have produced a sponsorship form you can use-Download
If you have any further queries then please call the Trust office on 01787 313199 or email RST Administrator