Raybel at Estuary Festival 2025 - Queenborough Harbour, Isle of Sheppey
Changing Tides - Queenborough, Isle of Sheppey
Changing Tides is a public cultural programme aboard Sailing Barge Raybel inspired by the cultural diversity of the heritage and communities of the Thames, and celebrating social movements and expressions of rebellion, freedom and joy.
It nurtures critical discussions about the uneven historical legacies of maritime trade and the manifold consequences of post-industrial decline in contemporary Britain.
The programme has been devised by artist and musician Benjin, in collaboration with Raybel Charters.
The programme includes two 'On the Move’ events, for which guest artists have been invited to create work whilst under sail on a traditional Sailing Barge between Isle of Sheppey and Canvey Island. There is also a series of live music events aboard Thames Sailing Barge Raybel at Queenborough Harbour and Benfleet Yacht Club, please see separate event listings for those.
Queenborough Harbour:
Saturday 21 June, 3pm David Nettleingham Artists Talk
Saturday 21 June, 7pm Benjin / Cirenne performance
Sailing performances:
Sunday 22 June 5.00-8.00pm SAIL: Benjin with Mataio Austin Dean & Sonny Brazil. Depart Queenborough Harbour arrive Benfleet Yacht Club
Book for Queenborough Harbour (Limited Capacity)
Book for Sailing Performance from Queenborough Harbour to Benfleet Yacht Club (Limited Capacity)
Raybel at Estuary Festival 2025 - Benfleet Yacht Club, Canvey Island
Changing Tides - Benfleet Yacht Club, Canvey Island
Changing Tides is a public cultural programme aboard Sailing Barge Raybel inspired by the cultural diversity of the heritage and communities of the Thames, and celebrating social movements and expressions of rebellion, freedom and joy.
It nurtures critical discussions about the uneven historical legacies of maritime trade and the manifold consequences of post-industrial decline in contemporary Britain.
The programme has been devised by artist and musician Benjin, in collaboration with Raybel Charters.
The programme includes two 'On the Move’ events, for which guest artists have been invited to create work whilst under sail on a traditional Sailing Barge between Isle of Sheppey and Canvey Island. There is also a series of live music events aboard Thames Sailing Barge Raybel at Queenborough Harbour and Benfleet Yacht Club, please see separate event listings for those.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Benfleet Yacht Club:
Wednesday 25 June, 7pm, David Nettleingham Artists Talk
Thursday 26 June, 7pm Goblin Band
Saturday 28 June, 2.30pm Cirenne / Benjin / Goblin Band
Saturday 28 June, 7pm, Cirenne / Benjin / Goblin Band
Sailing performance:
Sunday 29 June 3.00-5.00pm SAIL Benjin, Mataoi Austin Dean + Sonny Brazil. Depart Benfleet Yacht Club arrive Queenborough Harbour
Book for Benfleet Yacht Club (Limited Capacity)
Book for Sailing Performance from Benfleet Yacht Club to Queenborough Harbour (Limited Capacity)
Drop In Day
RAYBEL MONTHLY DROP-IN DAY at Lloyd's Wharf
SUNDAY 4th MAY 11am – 3pm.
See Raybel readied for sail, and hear plans for the first summer season.
Teas, coffee, and sail cargo goods on sale.
Check website for map and directions to the wharf if you haven’t visited before.
Drop In Day
RAYBEL MONTHLY DROP-IN DAY at Lloyd's Wharf
SUNDAY 2nd MARCH 11am – 3pm.
See the progress with re-rigging Raybel, and to get involved as we prep for sailing later in the year.
Teas, coffee, and sail cargo goods on sale.
Check website for map and directions to the wharf if you haven’t visited before.
Drop In Day
RAYBEL MONTHLY DROP-IN DAY at Lloyd's Wharf
SUNDAY 26th JANUARY 11am – 3pm.
Our first drop-in day of 2025.
Come along to hear latest on plans to re-rig Raybel, and to get involved as we prep for sailing later in the year.
Plus warming drinks and sail cargo goods on sale.
Check website for map and directions to the wharf if you haven’t visited before.
Milton Creek Citizen Science
Join our Citizen Science project, looking at the water quality of Milton Creek.
We are hosting monthly sessions testing to understand more about the ecology of the creek and the levels of current and historic pollution.
Everyone is aware of the scandal around water quality and untreated sewage in our waters. Milton Creek has also suffered from industrial pollution, including from the history of the paper mills over the last century.
At Raybel Charters CIC we are exploring ways of improving water quality and enhancing the estuary's ecology. We want to experiment with new planting of estuary species – seagrasses, oysters, mussels, all of which once thrived on the Creek – to see how these could help clear pollution and improve biodiversity.
Open to anyone interested, Those with relevant scientific knowledge keenly encouraged to come along.
Meet at Lloyds’ Wharf - see here for map and directions.
We will be testing for:
• Water quality and pollution
• Light levels
• Sedimentation
• Salinity
• Fish and invertebrates
Drop In Day
RAYBEL MONTHLY DROP-IN DAY at Lloyd's Wharf
SUNDAY 1st DECEMBER 11am – 3pm.
The pre Christmas Raybel open day, and the last of 2024! See the exhibition, take a barge tour, some light volunteering around the wharf site for those up to that, plus teas and coffees and sail cargo goods - perfect for Xmas stocking fillers.
Check website for map and directions to the wharf if you haven’t visited before.
Milton Creek Citizen Science
Join our Citizen Science project, looking at the water quality of Milton Creek.
We are hosting monthly sessions testing to understand more about the ecology of the creek and the levels of current and historic pollution.
Everyone is aware of the scandal around water quality and untreated sewage in our waters. Milton Creek has also suffered from industrial pollution, including from the history of the paper mills over the last century.
At Raybel Charters CIC we are exploring ways of improving water quality and enhancing the estuary's ecology. We want to experiment with new planting of estuary species – seagrasses, oysters, mussels, all of which once thrived on the Creek – to see how these could help clear pollution and improve biodiversity.
Open to anyone interested, Those with relevant scientific knowledge keenly encouraged to come along.
Meet at Lloyds’ Wharf - see here for map and directions.
We will be testing for:
• Water quality and pollution
• Light levels
• Sedimentation
• Salinity
• Fish and invertebrates
Drop In Day
RAYBEL MONTHLY DROP-IN DAY at Lloyd's Wharf
SATURDAY 26th OCTOBER 11am – 3pm.
See the Raybel exhibition, take a barge tour, some light volunteering around the wharf site for those up to that, plus teas and coffees and sail cargo samples available.
Check website for map and directions to the wharf if you haven’t visited before.
Milton Creek Citizen Science
Join our Citizen Science project, looking at the water quality of Milton Creek.
We are hosting monthly sessions testing to understand more about the ecology of the creek and the levels of current and historic pollution.
Everyone is aware of the scandal around water quality and untreated sewage in our waters. Milton Creek has also suffered from industrial pollution, including from the history of the paper mills over the last century.
At Raybel Charters CIC we are exploring ways of improving water quality and enhancing the estuary's ecology. We want to experiment with new planting of estuary species – seagrasses, oysters, mussels, all of which once thrived on the Creek – to see how these could help clear pollution and improve biodiversity.
Open to anyone interested, Those with relevant scientific knowledge keenly encouraged to come along.
Meet at Lloyds’ Wharf - see here for map and directions.
We will be testing for:
• Water quality and pollution
• Light levels
• Sedimentation
• Salinity
• Fish and invertebrates
Drop In Day
RAYBEL MONTHLY DROP-IN DAY at Lloyd's Wharf
SUNDAY 29th SEPTEMBER 11am – 3pm.
See the Raybel exhibition, take a barge tour, some light volunteering around the wharf site for those up to that, plus teas and coffees and sail cargo samples available.
Check website for map and directions to the wharf if you haven’t visited before.
Sail Cargo ship arrival - London St Katharine Docks
Pilot cutter Morwenna is due in London St Katharine Docks on Sunday 22nd September, eta 3pm.
This is the last stage in a voyage which has seen Portuguese produce loaded onboard sail cargo ship De Tukker in Porto, Portugal, and sailed north to deliver in Copenhagen, Den Helder and Ramsgate. The London cargo is being transferred to Morwenna in Ramsgate for the final voyage up the Thames.
We’ll be unloading Sunday 22nd and Monday 23rd from 11am, where you can buy produce direct from the ship - olive oil, olives, almonds, wine as well as chocolate and coffee from previous trans-Atlantic voyages..
Drop by and find Morwenna in the central basin.
Sail Cargo ship arrival - Ramsgate
Sail cargo ship De Tukker is arriving Ramsgate Harbour Friday 13th September.
This is the last stage of a voyage which has seen De Tukker load produce in Porto, Portugal, before sailing north to deliver in Copenhagen, Den Helder and now Ramsgate.
There will be an unloading event day on Monday 16th, from 10am, where you can buy produce direct from the ship - olive oil, olives, almonds, wine as well as chocolate and coffee from previous trans-Atlantic voyages..
Drop by and ask for the commercial wharf.
Milton Creek Citizen Science
Join our Citizen Science project, looking at the water quality of Milton Creek.
We are hosting monthly sessions testing to understand more about the ecology of the creek and the levels of current and historic pollution.
Everyone is aware of the scandal around water quality and untreated sewage in our waters. Milton Creek has also suffered from industrial pollution, including from the history of the paper mills over the last century.
At Raybel Charters CIC we are exploring ways of improving water quality and enhancing the estuary's ecology. We want to experiment with new planting of estuary species – seagrasses, oysters, mussels, all of which once thrived on the Creek – to see how these could help clear pollution and improve biodiversity.
Open to anyone interested, Those with relevant scientific knowledge keenly encouraged to come along.
Meet at Lloyds’ Wharf - see here for map and directions.
We will be testing for:
• Water quality and pollution
• Light levels
• Sedimentation
• Salinity
• Fish and invertebrates
Drop In Day
The start of RAYBEL MONTHLY DROP-IN DAYS at Lloyd's Wharf
Starting SUNDAY 25th AUGUST 11 – 3pm. 😍
These will be laid back, come as you are days – see the Raybel exhibition, barge tours available, a bit of light volunteering around the wharf site for those up to that, plus teas and coffees and sail cargo samples available.
See website for map and directions to the wharf if you haven’t visited before.