Into 2023

Our Heritage Lottery project ended in December (huge thanks to all Lottery ticket buyers!).

It’s been some journey after the last three and a half years. Lloyd’s Wharf when we first arrived was far, far from a fully equipped boatyard - just a concrete stand and a lot of mud that had to be cleared of scaffolding poles and debris – mostly by bosun Rob -  before Raybel could even brought around from Heybridge Basin. That was followed by the dry dock being tugged up the Creek, ahead of shipwright work starting two years ago.

So where are we now?

The hull planking at the bow was closed up just before Christmas, and there are just a couple of layers of extra planks to be fixed on port and starboard sides. Which means we’re looking excitedly ahead to the final tasks that are needed before Raybel emerges from the dry dock.These include some last ‘tidying up’ of the hull planking through smaller-scale repairs than have been needed at the bow. The bottom of the barge will also be secured.The gallant volunteers have meanwhile moved on to the chine and keel bolts, which hold the planking together at the bottom and sides of the barge. All 120 of these need to be hammered out and replaced. It's an unpredictable as well as a tough task, taking anything from less than an hour to a day or more, per bolt, depending on how badly they have corroded. This will be a race against time.

Community connecting

Along with the restoration progress, we’re also very proud of the little community that has gathered together at Lloyd's wharf over the last three years, despite all the restrictions of Covid for much of the time.

Through the Open Days, barge tours, creative workshops, gardening and ecology surveys, and much more, it has truly felt like there’s a place for everyone on Raybel. And all wonderfully put together and managed by our community connector Faye.

“Wonderful dedicated people. Had all the passion and patience to explain restoration and ongoing plans. Can’t recommend enough as the Raybel is real hidden gem in a forgotten Sittingbourne ‘waste land’”

“The Raybel team have been amazing, offering something for everyone. So many exciting ideas we wouldn’t have thought of. Often groups pretend to be doing community stuff, but this is for real”

Feedback gathered by external evaluator, Oakmere Solutions, for the completion of the Heritage Fund project.

We're looking forward to presenting a new programme of community activities and events for this year – and starting to use Raybel as a venue again. A first taster event with musician Benjin last October was a real treat and showed what a great venue the hold of Raybel offers – for music, food, theatre, film and more.

Gareth on Raybel