Starting with the next Bristol meeting on 11 December 2021, which will be an illustrated talk on “The Weston, Clevedon & Portishead Railway – Then and Now” by Paul Gregory, the Bristol Channel Branch will be using a new venue. They have been lucky enough to obtain the use of the Education Room at the Underfall Yard Visitors Centre, Cumberland Road, Bristol, BS1 6XG. This is a very appropriate location as the Underfall was for many years P&A Campbell’s maintenance yard as well as being a fascinating place in its own right. The old workshops, slipway and hydraulic pumping engine are on view, there are two active wooden boat building yards, several of the buildings are used by riggers and other maritime trades and, most importantly, there is an excellent café. The yard has an excellent website at www.underfallyard.co.uk. Detailed directions can be found in the relevant Event page.

Two further meetings will be affected by this change. They are “Sailing is Only Half the Fun” by Ashley Gill on 26 February 2022 and “From the Archives” by Richard Clammer on 23 April 2022. All the Cardiff meetings will continue as previously advertised.

The Bristol meetings had been planned to be held on M.V. Balmoral. However, some re-decking work has recently commenced on the vessel and due to timber stored in the saloons and the nature of the work being carried out, her trustees have advised that she is not currently in a state to be used as a venue. In addition they have been advised that the ship is likely to move berth back to Princes Wharf in the near future. All of this is excellent news for Balmoral and we wish her loyal volunteers every success with the work.