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Winter came to Beale Park with a vengeance in January and February, and as the lake at our boat store began to ice over, it felt reassuring in a strange way to have some proper winter weather.
The team at Pure Boating just managed to clear away the debris from our Wallingford headquarters prior to the big freeze.
Following this we started to plan for the 2025 boat hire season. You can now book ahead online at pureboating.co.uk.
We are excited to be adding another elegant classic 12-seater boat to our fleet this year! 'Spirit' will be a skippered-only option cruising from The Great House / Coppa Club in Sonning.
If you have a special occasion coming up, such as a wedding, a proposal, an anniversary or a birthday, this would be the perfect boat to mark the occasion in style.
Contact us now to avoid missing out on your preferred date.
It would be lovely to be able to offer our services to the new owners of The French Horn just under the bridge, across the river in Sonning as well. This well-known hotel and restaurant is currently for sale.
In the 1990s we used to take customers there on board 'Lady Florence' and more recently on 'Midsomer Maiden' (which we sold in 2022). This Thames luxury institution was owned and operated by the Emmanuel family since 1972 and scored 5-star reviews as recently as August 2024.
If you are looking for a new venture in the leisure/hospitality field, it could be worth contacting one of the agents.
The price has recently plummeted to a mere 8 million, I hear, which for 8+ acres of land by the Thames, 14 hotel bedrooms, a large restaurant and a variety of additional properties clearly represents an enticing option for some.
At the end of last season, one of our Pure Boating launches, with the lovely Olivia at the helm, was chartered by the BBC for their popular programme ‘Celebrity Escape to the Country’ featuring Linford Christie and his daughter, who were interested in purchasing a riverside home somewhere between Shiplake and Wallingford.
Perhaps he might like to ‘run’ The French Horn! 😉
A less expensive option might be to purchase Ondine on Wargrave Road, which is very close to central Henley. Steve and I are considering selling our houseboat with or without the land.
If you work from home and happen to live near the river, this could provide you with a wonderful floating office or indeed additional luxury accommodation for guests. For more information speak to George at the estate agents Philip Booth Esq.
The Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy and Furniture School reports that it has enrolled more women than men in their 40-week flagship course for the first time in its 28-year history.
The Academy has implemented a new Diversity and Inclusivity mission to increase diversity among its students. This mission includes practical and financial support for women, such as a bursary scheme and mentoring program.
BBA Director Will Reed states: "It's deeply encouraging to see so many talented women on the course. "We have an exciting strategy in place to further promote diversity and inclusion in the industry and look forward to seeing these and many more young women go on to exciting careers in boat building."
A fantastic development in our eyes. I think Andrew would be keen to see me enrol as my skills are somewhat sketchy. 😊
I was fascinated to receive this photograph from the Langdale Chase hotel owners in Windermere, where they are altering their grade I listed boathouse to better accommodate 'Albatros', which they purchased through HSC last year.
They are also extending the jetty into deeper water which will make it easier to bring 'Albatros' alongside.
Those with beady eyes will notice that swimsuits are optional on that particular jetty.
I think there is also a plan afoot to introduce a shoreside crab shack, which should be very popular with passing boaters offering an alternative to the excellent cafe at the Windermere Jetty.
When visiting friends in Windermere earlier this month, we headed out in their beautiful open launch 'Helver' to said Windermere Jetty cafe.
'Helver' was built by Borwicks in 1924 and must be one of the last remaining open launches built by this excellent local company, which sadly closed its doors earlier this century.
The 'Albatros' vendor, who is based in the Netherlands, has now asked HSC to sell his other classic, which is not as old or as grand as 'Albatros' but is equally immaculate.
'Annemijn' is a Storebro Baltic 24 Solo Ruff with its original brochure showing the hull number 948. She would offer a new owner a classic cruising option, whether on European waters or in the UK.
Closer to home in Davenport, we have a larger Storebro named 'Marand of Kip', which was used for extensive cruising in France by its current owners and represents great value for money.
If you like these scandi classics, look out for a new listing on our website 'Nordic Lady', currently moored in Chichester.
Always good to have a laugh this time of the year, although here British humour is adding some levity to a serious problem that those of us boating on the Thames are only too well aware of. Have a look at the environmental update from the Private Eye album.
What a pity it is that the predecessors of the environment agency, who saw themselves as custodians of the Thames, are no longer in that noble role.
The team at Beale Park have been working to refresh the varnish on 'Spirit X' with a little help from me, which was picked up by the Henley Standard for a full page 3 feature!
The full article is available to read online on the Henley Standard website.
The amazing Dennetts restoration 'Llanthony' has been entered for the 2025 Classic Boat Awards in the 40ft+ Powered Vessels category and 'Bou Saada' in the under 40ft category.
You can take a look at all the entries and vote for your favourites on the Classic Boat Awards website. Voting closes on the 24th of March at 9am.
It looks like we are in for a treat this year at the Henley Festival!
Diana Ross opens the festival on Wednesday night, accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. I can only imagine how crowded the river will be that night as she belts out 'Ain't no mountain high enough' and other legendary numbers.
On the Sunday evening, usually my preference as it tends to be a little quieter with more elbow room to wander the site, the young Matteo Bocelli, son of the world-famous Andrea Bocelli, will perform on the main floating stage, followed by Jamie Cullum, who is a great musician and entertainer.
As gold friends we can still book tickets and help you get closer to the action.
If an evening on board 'Windsor Belle', 'Breda' or the Sonning-based 'Spirit' appeals, please send us an email or pick up the phone pronto. We can also offer transport by river from Wargrave or Hurley to ease parking congestion.
A beady-eyed reader and former owner of the historic early slipper launch 'Cygnet' corrected my ramblings in our previous newsletter about his old boat: 'Cygnet' was one of four 20ft slipper launches built by Andrews of Maidenhead. Please accept my grovelling apology.
We have the three remaining launches ('Cygnet II', 'Wishbone', and 'Swallow') currently for sale. They all share the same rather attractive cambered forward deck.
A remarkable nine-year-old Brownie (local to us here in Henley), Claudia Fennell, has launched a petition to restore the beloved Marsh Lock Horsebridge as part of her 'Speaking Out' Brownie badge!
Frustrated by the bridge's closure since May 2022 and the resulting disruption to riverside walks, Claudia is determined to see this crucial link reopened. This isn't just about a bridge; it's about restoring a cherished pathway, supporting local businesses, and preserving the joy of a true Thames Path experience.
With nearly 5,000 signatures, Claudia's petition is a testament to the power of young voices. Imagine once again strolling along the riverbank to Shiplake. Claudia's initiative reminds us that this bridge is a vital link, and its restoration is an investment in our shared way of life.
If you value our river and the paths that run alongside it, please add your voice to this crucial cause. Click the link and help Claudia bring back our beloved Marsh Lock Horsebridge.
The River & Rowing Museum, a beloved Henley landmark, has announced it is embarking on a period of strategic review to ensure its long-term sustainability.
In a letter to patrons and supporters, Director Steven O'Connor and Chairman David Worthington explained that despite efforts to increase visitor numbers and diversify income streams, the costs of maintaining the architecturally significant building have become unsustainable.
The Museum, which opened in 1998, is committed to preserving its collection and legacy and is working closely with Henley Town Council and stakeholders to explore new ways forward.
"We have explored every viable option to make our existing model work,' stated the letter, 'including significant investment in the building and commercial activities. Despite these efforts, the financial imbalance remains too great, and continuing as we are is simply not sustainable in the long term."
The Museum's Board of Trustees has decided to take a measured approach to considering new possibilities, ensuring the institution's legacy and impact continue in a meaningful and sustainable way. For further details, please refer to the full press release.
