onionbagblog

Aye aye, captain - it’s probably not sea worthy and yes, the deck is in need of a good scrub, but there is a strange and foul estuary air snobbishness to the sign that has recently appeared on the once proud timber of the unknown boat moored up outside the Rose and Crown.

With no headed paper, contact details or any sign of officialdom, the full text reads:

Which is basically saying pull up anchor and bugger off, Captain Pugwash. And probably to Brightlingsea where they might appreciate a sense of aquatic history more so than little Wivenhoe.

Comment is free, facts are sacred, ‘n all that. I confess to knowing nothing about Quayside moorings. Who regulates these? How does one apply for them? Is there some strict seaworthy and aesthetic code that has to be observed?

If you’ve got barnacles on the starboard, then yer not docking, mate.

It could be of course a perfectly explainable situation of an abandoned boat that simply needs the owner to put up or shut. Those Quayside moorings don’t come for free, y’know.

But if it’s the case of the aquatic long arm of the law not taking a liking to the rough round the edges (and the rest) floating figure of fun, then what do they want? A Henley comes to Wivenhoe invasion by the Romford Navy?

Like I said - facts are sacred, Comrades, and I stand to be corrected.

For the record, I rather like the character of the boat. Much like Neil’s splendid Boat for his Pot Plants, it certainly adds some local character to what could easily become an identikit Quay.

The prestigious mooring that the unwelcome boat currently occupies would make for a great public space. With a bit of local love, it could be restored as perhaps a social space such as a Quayside cafe or meeting place.

We’ve been here before of course with the poor old Cap Pilar - blown up, burnt and eventually buried in the dry dock by West Quay.

As an aside, I had an interesting chat with a Wivenhoe Town Councillor last week about the legality and ownership of the public space down by the Quay. Sitting outside the Rose and Crown and getting tired and emotional during the fag end of summer is of course a Wivenhoe rites of passage.

It is also something of a squatting situation - the Rose and Crown doesn’t actually own the land where it puts the tables. It is a public space apparently, as my good Cllr friend informed me.

You try eating your own food down there.

Good luck, Comrades.

And so an arbitrary element does exist when it comes to what is acceptable down by the Quay. Such a shame if a boat is being pushed aside because the port bow isn’t exactly picture postcard friendly.

Facts are sacred, comment is free.

Please correct me.