On Wednesday 10^th July 2019 the Wessex and Dart Branch of the Society organised an evening fundraising cruise from Poole on the MV Solent Scene operated by City Cruises Poole.

With good weather and calm seas 80 passengers enjoyed the evening cruise through Poole Harbour passing Studland and rounding Old Harry and sailing along the Jurassic Coast passing Swanage, we were treated to close up views of Anvil Point, Blackers Hole and the Dancing Ledge.

Passing Old Harry on the evening of the 10th July.

Dancing Ledge on the Jurassic Coast near Langton Matravers in the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset – so called because at certain stages of the tide when the waves wash over the horizontal surface, the surface undulations cause the water to bob about making the ledge appear to dance.

A big thank you goes to Carol Scott of City Cruises Poole who kindly sponsored the evening to help raise funds for the Waverley Boiler Refit Appeal and a total of £1,626 was raised from fares and the raffle which raised £351 with prizes kindly donated by City Cruises Poole and Waverley Excursions Ltd. In addition, a Waverley Souvenir shop was set up and over £150 of souvenirs were sold items included the new 60^th Anniversary PSPS mug.

Antony Meads, Geoffrey Ryder and Nicholas Meads.

A special thank you goes to Antony and Nicholas Meads who liaised with Carol about the cruise and handled publicity and sales of tickets at their shop Setchfields in Poole High Street, also to Keith Adams who dealt with the postal bookings.

MV Barfleur and the Bramble Bush Bay chain ferry.

[signature name=”Geoffrey Ryder”]

Come and visit the display at the following events

During the summer months the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society is represented at many events on the South Coast of England by Wessex and Dart Branch Committee member Geoffrey Ryder. This year with an emphasis on fund raising for the Waverley Boiler Refit Appeal.

• July 26^th, 27^th and 28^th – Netley Marsh Steam & Craft Fair at Netley Marsh near Totton signed from junction 2 of the M27.
• 9th, 10^th and 11th August – Purbeck Rally and Autojumble at Worgret Road, Wareham.
• 22^nd to 26^th August – 51^st Great Dorset Steam Fair at Tarrant Hinton Nr Blandford.
• 31^st August and 1^st September Model Weekend at Hollycombe Working Steam Museum Iron Hill Liphook.
• 14^th and 15^th September Stoke Prior Steam Rally At Stoke Prior near Bromsgrove Worcestershire.

Wessex and Dart Branch Committee Member Geoffrey Ryder will be out at several events in the coming months helping to raise the profile for Waverley’s Boiler Refit Appeal.