Raybel volunteer days
Sailing barge Raybel is maintained and looked after by a dedicated, and friendly, volunteer crew. We meet every Monday at Lloyd’s Wharf from 10am. Everyone welcome - there are jobs for all levels of experience and skills.
Over the autumn we will be fitting a cover over Raybel to keep the rain off, doing some cleaning and repairs to ropes and tackle, and continuing with the internal fitout.
Just turn up on any Monday, or call 07452743531 / gareth@raybelcharters.com if you’d like some more info in advance.
See our contact page for details of how to get to Lloyd’s Wharf.
Festive Craft Fair 🌲 & Rainforest Fundraiser 🌴
Join us for a special festive fair with local artisans, hot food, festive drinks and music by the fire!
It will be the perfect place to find a thoughtful gift, warm up by the fire onboard Raybel and support a good cause. We will have a stall selling sail shipped products, a raffle and hand made crafts.
Part of the craft sales will go to support for two local young women’s trip to the Amazon rainforest, to study and support the indigenous tribe of Yawanawa.
Cargo Sessions #1
Live on Raybel - Molly’s Lips + Mimi O’Halloran
Presented by Untold Corners
Step aboard Raybel for the first ever Cargo Session, a new live music night of raw, heartfelt performances onboard.
For this maiden event, we welcome Molly’s Lips, whose haunting harmonies and rich, storytelling songs drift somewhere between folk and dream-pop. Their sound moves like the tide — tender, powerful, and soaked in feeling.
Opening the night will be Mimi O’Halloran, a singer-songwriter whose honest lyrics and velvet voice glow with quiet strength. Her songs explore love, loss, and the space between, inviting you to lean in and listen close.
Expect flickering candlelight, creaking timbers, and the hush of water against the hull — an atmosphere where every note lingers in the air.
With just 50 spaces available, this is an intimate gathering for those who love music up close — a night of connection, story, and song.
To make this event as accessible as possible, we are running a donation-based system, so please donate as generously as you can. All money raised goes directly to the artists and supporting us to create future magical events.
Tickets via Eventbrite link …
Watch party - National Historic Ships Awards
Join the watch party onboard Raybel for the National Historic Ships Awards 2025
We’ll be hosting a screening of this year’s awards film - which premieres on the National Historic Ships YouTube channel at 7.00pm on Wednesday 19th November
Join us on Raybel, at Lloyd’s Wharf Sittingbourne, to learn the winners of the 2025 Photography Competition, Volunteer of the year, Flagships of the Year - and the Excellence in Maritime Conservation Awards for which the restoration of Raybel has been nominated.
Places are limited … so BOOK HERE to secure your spot.
Raybel Charters at the Bloomsbury Jamboree
Raybel Charters will be back at the Bloomsbury Jamboree this year - with a stall chock-full of sail cargo goods once again. Taking place over the weekend of Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th November, at the Art Workers Guild, Queen Squate, London WC1.
On the stall ....
* Caixero and Reigado olive oil in 500ml bottles (or you can order 5l boxes for later delivery).
* A new batch of coffee, sail shipped from the Arhuaco people of the Sierra Nevada, Colombia and just roasted on the Holloway Road by Vagabond
* Tres Hombres chocolate bars from Amsterdam's ChocolateMakers (milk and 70%).
* Lots of loose products .... panela, almonds, fleur de sel .... all in our own unique, new mini-hessian sack packaging.
* Cacao nibs prepped by Land chocolate
* .... and raw cacao beans. These we're selling for the first time, having just discovered the many pleasures of gently roasting the beans and turning them into nibs ourselves. It’s a lovely activity, feeding all the senses of smell, touch, sight, hearing and of course taste, enjoyed with company or in solitude. The beans are already fermented and the nibs can also be eaten raw as a superfood. A wonderful simple, seasonal and healthy gift.
Drop In Day
RAYBEL DROP-IN DAY at Lloyd's Wharf
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 2nd 11am – 3pm.
See Raybel back from first summer sailing season, hear plans for the autumn / winter months and about volunteering opportunities.
Check website for map and directions to the wharf if you haven’t visited before.
Sail Aboard Raybel
The final chance this year to sail on Raybel following completion of the major restoration works. We will be sailing from Chatham to Lower Halstow on Sunday 21st September. Join us to experience the last sail of the season before we return to Milton Creek for the autum and winter.
FRIDAY 21st SEPTEMBER
Depart: Chatham Sun Pier 17:00
Destination: Lower Halstow c. 20.00
Sail Aboard Raybel
A chance to sail on Raybel following the completion of the major restoration works. We will be sailing to Chatham on Friday 19th September, to join the Chatham Reach Festival taking place on Saturday 20th. Join us to experience the thrill of Raybel returning to full sall for the first time in 40 years.
FRIDAY 19th SEPTEMBER
Depart: Lower Halstow 10.00
Destination: Chatham Sun Pier c. 13.00
Sail Aboard Raybel
A first chance to sail on Raybel following the completion of the major restoration works. We will be sailing to Queenborough on Friday 12th September, to join the Queenborough Classics Boat Festival taking place over the weekend of 13th and 14th. Join us to experience the thrill of Raybel returning to full sall for the first time in 40 years.
FRIDAY 12th SEPTEMBER
Depart: Lower Halstow, Kent 14.00
Destination: Queenborough Harbour, Isle of Sheppey c. 18.00
Reward sails
A series of free sails for the volunteers, funders and supporters who made the restoraion happen.
Invitation only
FRIDAY 22nd AUGUST - MONDAY 25th AUGUST
Lower Halstow / Queenborough
Medway River pilgrims - from source to sea
Raybel will be part of a flotilla of 3 community barges (Raybel, Edith May & Lady Daphne) carrying the Medway River pilgrims on the last stretch of a nine day walk from the source of the Medway in Sussex to where the river meets the Thames at Queenboroiugh. Departing Chatham 10.00,
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)
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)
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.