THAMES SAILING BARGE ARRIVES AT ST OSYTH

New to St Osyth Boatyard is 94 years old Thames Sailing Barge “Thalatta” arriving on 4th October 2001.  “Thalatta” has just completed her 34th season of educational cruises for school children and has come to the Yard to have some work done to her transom which is showing signs of wear and tear.

	The Barge is operated by East Coast Sail Trust, a charity that was formed by Hervey Benham, the well-known author, his daughter, Jane and John Kemp around 1971.  The ideal is to preserve a Thames Barge and to provide children with five-day educational cruises along the East Coast. Whilst on board the children help to “work” the Barge as much as possible, winding up the anchor, hoisting sails, navigating and steering.  They also help below deck with the cooking and washing up and generally keeping the saloon tidy. During the cruise “Thalatta” anchors each night in a quiet creek such as Pyefleet, opposite Brightlingsea, so the children have a good night’s sleep in their hammocks.  Then in the morning there’s breakfast to sort out before they go ashore for games or shopping and later sail on to the next destination. At the end of the week the children return home having enjoyed “five-days in another world”. Quiz Question: What does “Thalatta” mean? (Old Greek, meaning the sea)