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Great Ouse and Fens Area
Coordinator: Eileen Phillips ably assisted by Dave Rogers and Derek Lewin is coordinator for the Great Ouse and Fens Region. All three are well known to the members in the region.

Over the years membership of the the Great Ouse region grew to reach a peak of over 70 members and has settled down to between 60 and 70 members, or so, ever since. Past coordinators have included Jane and Wilf Wall, Alan Moody and Paul Hills, and to the many members who have helped them including Sylvia Chase and Barry Evans. Our thanks to all of them for their sterling work for members in the region.

More about the area:
The area covers some 200 miles of navigable waterways, the Great Ouse running from Bedford to Denver, and on to the River Nene via the Middle Levels. There is considerable history in the area relating to land reclamation. Major towns / cities in the area are Bedford, Huntingdon, Ely, Peterborough and Cambridge, the latter being accessed via the River Cam that joins the Great Ouse at Popes Corner, south of Ely. The waterways provide a variety of cruising conditions, active in the areas where there are locks, relaxing in lock free areas, there are some 'air height' and 'beam' limitations in certain parts of the system.

The Great Ouse Boating Association (GOBA) looks after the interests of river users in dealing with the Environment Agency and other related official organisations. Currently GOBA are looking to the future with studies to extend the range of navigable waterways for pleasure boating in the region. The first major construction at Denver to facilitate non-tidal access to within a short distance of Kings Lynn via a lock and use of a relief channel, a project completed and unofficially opened on the 17th.July 2001 and officially opened on the 19th. September 2001.


The Great Ouse and Fens region holds two afloat rallies each boating season, and also hold 'ashore' meets out of season, typically for a meal at a local pub. We look forward to this pattern continuing into the future.

One of the most popular meets has been the Garden Party at the home of Sylvie & Mike Chase in Little Paxton. Members come to the event by boat or car and enjoy a great Bar-B-Q in their garden, under marquees to protect against extremes of sunshine or rain, and members bring their own choice of meats to be cooked and Sylvie & Mike do the rest. Guest speakers on diverse topics provide an added bonus. This event is of course very popular.
Links:
Great Ouse Boating Association Great Ouse Boating Association (GOBA) looks after the interests of river users of the Great Ouse system

CMBC

Cambridge Motor Boat Club Clayhithe, River Cam. Tel : 01223 860149
Hartford Marina, Hartford Marina provides excellent facilities Waterways Guides Nicholson's Waterways Guide to the Great Ouse, etc
L H Jones & Son Ltd Boat sales, large chandlery, full marina facilities    
Ely Boat Chandlers Full mail order service for all your chandlery needs to get through your BSS examination. Tuesday Night Club High Lode as well as all of the main section of the 40 Foot Drain.
Buckden Marina Buckden Marina – it’s a way of life – explore to discover more Tuesday Night Club February Fenland Exploration Trip
Denver Sluice Link to the Denver Sluice in Jim Shead's pages

Tuesday Night Club

Fenland Tour Summer 2001

 

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