From: John (Garth) Cook

Newsletter January 2012

We have received a very nice letter from Buckler's Hard asking us to stay on at least until Summer 2013, we are delighted and feel we must be doing something right. In November we put on an event at the Chichester Rooms, we showed a film of the restoration of HSL102, the Chairman of the Southampton City Council attended with his Wife and presented a gift to a 99yr old Gentleman who had worked on the boat in 1930. There followed a Cream Tea and much discussion; it was a great success.

More to follow: we have asked Alan Watson from Medusa Trust to put together a talk, film, etc., which we understand will include help from the Costal Forces Heritage Trust, a great pleasure for our Trust. Our Member Don Rowland, will include a talk about the little remembered 'Pearl River Incident of 1953' , the last Action in which Coastal Forces MLs fought for our Nation, (this in memory of our late Member, Stoker Peter Seaman, RN). We anticipate that this event will be held in February or March.

Now that Peter Jackman has had a steel hip fitted (stainless steel I presume), and has returned to the boat, there is a hive of activity; the fresh water supply now works to fill the kettle, the toilet door opens silently and the Kitchen looks spick and span and, Lunch on board has greatly improved (soup and buttered rolls have been added to the menu). All five bilge pumps are working but they have little to do as the timbers have tightened up and the Sea stays on the outside.

*A huge "Thank You"! all who gave money to enable us to bring Garth to Beaulieu* This week, one of our members has loaned us a 1917 Union Jack which was last flown at the Battle of Jutland, we will use it for our Jubilee Celebrations which we are Planning as I write - see below

Jubilee Day - We Propose

Depart Buckler's Hard at 9am arrive at Eling Quay, Totton (on the outskirts of Southampton) at 10-30am. The loaned Union Jack to be presented to the ship by Miss M.B.D Knowles, A bottle of Champagne to be presented by Mr. Rodney Edlin, once opened a soupcon of the Celebratory Nectar will be poured over the Bow; we have on board two dozen wine glasses, should those in attendance wish to partake in a toast to Her Majesty. (crew members restricted to Tea).

Planned route from Totton; To the 17th Port Regiment at Marchwood. Then to the Marina at Hythe, Across to The Royal Pier, then along the side of the Old Docks to The River Itchen with four proposed stops. Two on the Southampton side, turning at Cobden Bridge, then Bitterne and Woolston on the other side. Along the coast to Hamble returning across the river to Calshot and home to spend the night at Beaulieu. Garth will be candle lit on the Beaulieu River - Light's Out 11pm.

Day Two: Leave Bucklers Hard at 9am proceed to Lymington then Key Haven, at 1pm depart for Newport Isle of Wight arriving after Lunch. At 4pm depart for Cowes, early evening candle lit alongside. return home, late Picnic on the Grassy Knoll. Of course we have plenty of time to alter or extend this schedule so any of our friends or members are free to suggest ideas for Her Majesties Jubilee Celebrations.

It is possible there would be a third day, we have already been asked to make the trip up the Chichester River stopping at Siddlesham on the way. If we did then we would certainly call at Shoreham and maybe the Brighton Coast.

There are many young persons who show the greatest interest in Garth and pledge their immediate and continued support to her; alas we never see them again. There are three seventy five year old guys who keep RASC 34 Garth going, but possibly only one of them is likely to last another fifteen years. However my grandson Freddy aged 8yrs is showing an interest so I have entered his name in the Log just in case the Queen has another celebration in mind.

For the Jubilee, we will need three Skippers, three deck hands and three engineers. So far we have one Skipper, one Engineer and ME.

In a few weeks we will be taking the boat into the Solent on a short shakedown cruise. Our other craft CK69 Vanguard (a Dunkirk vessel in need of drastic overhaul), is being offered to any takers on the DLRT website under ships for sale.

Keeping an eye on GARTH - Click here http://www.bucklershard.co.uk/ and then click on View River webcam botom right (there is only one craft with a Gun on the foredeck)

Trust member: - Major Terence Mills - Get Well Soon.

From: John (Garth) Cook
Dear Friends at Christmas

It is cold and wet on the boat at this time, but the snow has kept away. Work continues below decks and in the engine room; we now have five independent bilge pumps which keep the boat fairly dry. The wheelhouse has been altered to gain more easily, access below to the cabins; the new freshwater supply to the kitchen sink is now working and the hand basin in the toilet will soon follow. Navigation lights are all working and the wireless is operational now that the mast head aerial has been repaired.

Work has been completed on the 2 Lb deck gun which has been much photographed by a steady stream of visitors (even at this late time of year). The deck is in need of painting for the third time this year to stop the drips of water into the cabins. We need to work on the search light and the circular windscreen wiper. The gear connections to both gearboxes need to be replaced in the engine room.

We have asked Mr Barry Kinch, a local engineer and engine builder, to join the boat. J.J. Engineering from Southampton Docks continue to help when needed.

A letter has been received from Lord Montagu inviting us to extend our stay for a further year which we are happy to accept. When one takes into account the rent we are paying for the Agememnon Mooring, £1,000 per annum and compares this with the rent previously charged in the sum of £12,000 p.a. for the same space,this represents a very large donation from his Lordship. on 19th November we put on an event in the Francis Chichester Room at Buckler's Hard,

A film of the restoration of HSL RAF 102 was shown and a general discussion with Q and A followed, we finished off with a Cream tea all for the cost of £5.50p pp. It was a great success, and has spurred us on to a second one probably in early March. We have asked Mr. Alan Watson from HMS Medusa, to give a talk on MLs, and other Launches from WW2, we also hope to have Mr. Don Rolland to include a piece on The Pearl River Incident in 1953.

The Trust asks for volunteers in the following fields;
Membership and Social Events Sec., Book keeper, Photographer, Publicity:- The Jubilee is in front of us and Garth is the only Military Vessel from the 40's able to lead the way in the Solent. (Medusa and MTB 102 will be with Her Majesty on the Thames).

Ladies don't be shy in coming forward to take on these roles; of course a FUNDRAISER would be a vast improvement on John Cook.

MGB 81 and HSL 102 are presently under care and maintenence at the Portsmouth Naval Dockyard and will be fully active from Spring 2012

Kind regards from Coastal Motorboat Heritage Trust

October 2011

Garth travels 200 miles and arrives at Buckler's Hard Hampshire

Some time ago we asked Lord Montagu of Beaulieu for a suitable mooring at Beaulieu, His Lordship responded and offered us the dock by the Picnic area at Buckler's Hard. PROBABLY THE MOST FAMOUS MOORING IN ENGLAND We arrived on 19th October and will take a few days to prepare our craft - then we will move to the dock. Our kindest regards and thanks to all those who helped us to bring this about,

Our first event will be an afternoon get together to welcome those who worked during and after the War at POWERBOAT at Hythe; afternoon tea in the Tea Rooms by the Main Car Park.

John Cook, Secretary Coastal Motorboat Heritage Trust

April 2011

GARTH almost ready for this year's events.

Dear Members and Friends,

Last night I returned from Canvey Island after two days of painting and work on the fuel tanks; another two or three man days and we will re-launch her. This year Peter Jackman (who worked on the restoration of HSL 102, RAF 1387 and RAF 1502) has joined me and added a more professional touch to the work. Earlier in the year Peter was given the Lifetime Achievement Award in Portsmouth, for his work at the Kings Theatre. He also works one day per week for The Rosemary Trust, a Charity Nursing care Trust.

Our programme for this year includes events in Sandwich, and the Stour River, Godwin Sands, English Channel, 'Casting on the Deep', wreathes for my Father and those others who want to remember their lost love ones. (last year on 6th June we cast 44 different wreathes and letters; including those from as far away as New Zealand). Sandwich to Teddington (about 150 miles) to lay at a private mooring by the Teddington Lock Footbridge, Ferry Road. Many thanks here to Peter Lash, Skipper and Jerry, Diesel Engineer. who covered 500 of our 600 miles travelled in the last twelve months. From Teddington, a few miles to Hammerton's Ferry where, last year we received a very warm welcome from the owner, this year his son will skipper our boat for a few trips through two or three locks to Hampton Court and back. All of our Members and friends will be welcome. Then to Beale Park Boat Show on 10th, 11th and 12th June 2011, with Peter Jackman at the helm. This will be a long journey up the non-tidal Thames, so if you are in need of a river trip this could be it. (Suggested Donation, £1 per mile). We have also been invited to return to Henley again this year, but last year we only managed £23 in donations from that event which covered only a quarter of the diesel used. Back to the English channel for the August Bank Holiday Event.

Last year, we visited nine separate events, from The Opening of a River Barge Club, to being moored alongside in the centre of the Medieval Town of Sandwich in Kent, where, during a three week stay, we were visited by Thousands of Holidaymakers and Townsfolk alike.

Early September, a possibility only.

A few weeks ago, with my Sons James and Nicholas, I visited the place where my Father John T' Cook DSM. RN., rests at Oostvorne in Holland. There I looked at the possibility of taking Garth to that wonderful village. Of course we would need a sponsor for the diesel, but I think it could be done. At any rate, I shall make contact with the War Graves Commission to see if they can give assistance.

On our return we would visit Dunkirk where my Father's ship HMS Cayton Wyke rescued from the beaches 603 Soldiers (a whole Regiment) and returned them safely to England. Alas, less than a fortnight later, the ship was torpedoed by an enemy E Boat and all hands were lost my Father's body washed ashore at Oostvorne.

John Cook. Sec. CMHT

The Motorboat Museum in Basildon has also closed (the Ark Royal Captain's Boat was on show here till she was given to Mr. Phil Clabburn who had it towed to BMPT at Marchwood, she was restored there and gifted to Portsmouth when BMPT closed down).

Now that a period of financial cutbacks are to affect all corners of society, one can expect many many Museums to close. The National Lottery could help, but the are more interested in the "here today, gone tomorrow" Olympics than the lasting Heritage of our Nation. We must be grateful that Russia was chosen to hold the Football Cup or the Lottery would have spent untold millions on that.

Hopefully, we will be invited to Kent again this year, we have invitations to Beale Park on the Upper Thames, Richmond at Hammerton's Ferry, The Teddington Lock, and possibly again to TTBR at Henley. We intend to be at Westminster on 29th April for the Great Day and would like donations from those who would like to participate in the Celebrations.

We sent out our begging letter again this year to our seventy supporters but had donations from only seven. Both of our volunteers will receive their free TV Licences this year, so that will cheer us up.

John Cook. Sec. CMHT

April 2010
Tom Lash welcomed to the Committee by Trust Founder, John Cook

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February 2010
Pair of stainless steel rudder blades, donated to the Trust by GEA Pharma Systems
Picture shows Trust Sec. John Cook, receiving the rudders with our grateful thanks from Mr. Winton D. Stimson, representing GEA

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NEWS 5th February 2010

FILMING BBC 1 News　　　

Leave Buckler's Hard, Hampshire at 8-30 am, In the ever reliable seventy nine year old RAF 206. First the slow meandering 'descent' of the Beaulieu River then bursting out into the wide expanse of the Solent, the sudden roar from both engines, a long sweeping arc in our wash as the craft turns North to pass Cowes on our way to Portsmouth. The morning sun is up and the wafting clouds in the distance cause an apotheosis of colour to surprise the eye and gladden the heart on a cold, cold, morning. In three quarters of an hour, (at 25 knots), we are at Portsmouth.　　

Pretty young uniformed ladies moved around with cups of coffee and packets of crisps, TIMES photographers on a plastic rubber dingy which looked fast and menacing and completely out of place in this group of historic WW2 vessels. We, (Robin and Phil Clabburn and the Stoker) mingle with the throng of about twenty VIPs... A BBC Cameramen buzzes around whilst men in black 'windcheaters' interview the great and the good: I notice in their number, Messrs. Goodship, Heighton, Rowbotham and Mrs McGuinness (Chairman of the National Lottery) but could not put a name to their companions. Searching amongst them all I at last spotted the wonderful WW2 skipper Jimmy Shadbolt, who after speaking for half an hour to The Times of London and the British Broadcasting Corporation, had time to talk about our Trust's Boat and his plan to attend an open day at our Clubhouse on Canvey Island in the Spring.　　　　

Somehow, the twenty VIPS were shoehorned onto MGB81 whilst most of the camera team were shared between HSL102 and RAF 206. Phil and I were assigned to '102, Robin and a volunteer (a very bright and decent young man called Ed.), to 206 and the Harbour Master and his assistant to '81. We took off towards the Isle of Wight and the others followed. Wisely, Jimmy Shadbolt and his wartime crew member, declined the trip and opted for a local Hostelry instead. There followed three hours of hi jinks at sea, which by the time you read this report, you will have seen on BBC 1 on Tuesday morn (a larger clip on BBC South) and, story and pictures in the Times Tuesday Morning edition..　　　　

More Coffee and crisps (do the great and the good eat Crisps)?　　

And so, we all went home.....　

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34miles in one hour - RAF 102　

Had the honour of taking '102' with Phil Clabburn, to her last resting place. It was a fast journey in a calmish wind and sea, I stayed on deck to whole journey. We were met by the Marina Master of the Gun Wharf Quays, and shortly afterwards by the VIPs. I had worked on the boat for three days. Now I am back to Canvey for a couple of days on our own boat. Gunboat 81 is booked to arrive at the same mooring at noon on Sunday, I also worked on her a couple of days recently.

John Cook