Visitor/Education Centre Working Party - 11th November 2006 

Report by Jeff Burroughs

There were quite a few jobs to do at the end of a successful boating season.

  • Improve the access to the main upstream jetty, so our trip boat Francis J could tie up "end on" allowing wheelchair access to the boat. This will in turn allow wheelchair users and those that can't walk across the lock gates access to the visitors centre.
  • A general tidy up of the site including cutting the grass and clearing the nettles.
  • Replacement of a wooden rubbing strake on the top landing stage near to the lock.
  • The restoration of a small jetty on the upstream side for use by canoeists visiting the site together with clearing this corner of the site ready for grass seeding early in the new year.
  • Clearance of some vegetation from the lighter to enable an assessment of work required to be carried out.
  • Raising and painting of the old propeller and prop' shaft.
  • Relocating the bricks given to us by Barratt Homes.

    A good group of volunteers turned up and it was good to see so many members working together . We were also joined by four of the Sea Scout patrol leaders and helpers who helped with the restoration of the jetty as well as painting the old propeller and prop' shaft from the steam engine driven lighter. The weather was great and the sun shone for most of the day.

    We would like to see more willing volunteers and welcome any assistance. Details of future working parties

    Restoring the Jetty

    This whole corner of the site had become overgrown and hiding beneath it all was the jetty

    All the top planks were removed, one cross beam was replaced and the new decking was fitted.
    The jetty will be used by canoeists. As it is low, it is ideal for getting in and out of canoes.
    Sea Scout volunteers taking pride in a job well done!
    Repairs to the Top Quayside Near the Lock

    Part of the wooden edging strip had come away and was dangerous.
    George and Pat carefully lowered the new piece into place
    Then re-fixed it to the metal piles.
    Dredging the River with Dolly
    Dolly is the work boat and dredger that was built by Trust member, Roger Brown, and is operated on the Sudbury end of the river. She is a traditional spoon dredger design and takes 3 people to operate.
    Painting the Propeller
    This is the old propeller from the steam lighter. It has been raised up on some bricks and given a coat of paint in order to preserve and display it.

    Clearing the Lighter
    The lighter needed to be cleared of the vegetation that had taken root through the year. Andrew and Ron got stuck in (the mud!) and now the lighter can be seen again.

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