Volunteer Working Groups

Our barges are un-rigged for winter maintenance. A working party meets on Maldon Hythe Quay on the weekends listed below and concentrate their work on Centaur. Working volunteers are welcome to stay aboard the barge if they wish to work on both days.

Another group meets every Thursday throughout the year and concentrate on keeping Pudge and our workshop ‘Sailorman’ maintained.

Weekend Dates

The Weekend Working Parties dates are detailed below for the Winter season 2024/2025 are as follows

December 14th/15th

January 4th/5th & 18th/19th

February 1st/2nd & 15th/16th

March 1st/2nd and 15th/16th & 29th/30th

April 12th/13th & 26th/27th

Provisional dates for rigging out March 15th & 16th

Those wishing to volunteer can do so on one or both days each weekend.

Arrangements can also be made for those wishing to do a Saturday and a Sunday to stay on board Centaur for the weekend.

If you wish to attend a working party, please contact Tim Jepson on 01621 851817 a few days beforehand to check space availability.

 

Thursday Group

This is a group of people who meet regularly every Thursday on the Hythe Quay, Maldon from 9:30 in the morning and work specifically on Pudge, although do also help when necessary on Centaur to make sure that both barges meet their maintenance plans. It is a very social group, made up of people with varying backgrounds and skills. You do not have to have any specific skill and many of the group have no sailing or boat building experience at all. Their main interest is seeing these majestic vessels continue to sail. They meet ‘rain come shine’ but if the weather looks particularly bad then please give John Rayment a call on 07587 141054 to check that the group will be meeting.

If you would like to become a member of the Group, please contact John Rayment who will be happy to discuss with you what is involved and required and where required arrange a meeting.

 

Becoming a volunteer

If you are interested in becoming a member of our working groups, please contact John Rayment at membership@bargetrust.org or telephone 07587 141054

Newcomers are always welcome to both groups, so pop along on a Thursday and ask for John Rayment or give him a call first and you will be made most welcome. Or call Tim Jepson on 01621 851817 if you would like to be part of the Weekend Working Party.

Teas and coffees are served during the day, but you do need to bring your own lunch. You should also have a stout pair of shoes/boots, and a set of overalls or old clothes which you do not mind getting dirty.

The Trust also has other volunteering opportunities relating to its public and educational programmes, these involve acting as stewards or assisting in events. If you are able to commit to perhaps a couple of days a year or an evening every now and then, please contact John Rayment to discuss. No specific skills required and any training will be provided. You will be supporting an important part of the Trust's education programme.

Become an Events Volunteer

The Trust holds Open Days and Events throughout the year when they open Centaur and Pudge to the public. We are always in need of volunteers to help act as deck stewards. Some general knowledge of the barges would be useful, but we can give training. These stewards are responsible for answering the publics questions but also to help make sure that the general public are safe whilst onboard. WE also need volunteers to help with our educational events.

If you would like to become and Event Volunteer, please contact John Rayment on 07587 141054.