© Old Gaffers Association March 2012 The Old Gaffers Association: Formed in 1963 to promote Gaff Rig THE Association for Gaff Rig and Traditional Boat Sailing

The Bristol Channel Area has an ever-widening coastline in excess of three hundred miles in length. So in addition to the traditional Area Officers, four Regional Officers have been appointed to help provide a more local point of contact for members and encourage events within their particular region. Newsletter A regular newsletter entitled ‘Severn Tidings’ is edited by Claudia Crickmere (seareach@dircon.co.uk). Maritime History of the Bristol Channel The Bristol Channel has an extraordinarily rich maritime history. Bristol itself has been a major port for centuries and once stood second only to London in the amount of trade it handled. And John Cabot sailed from Bristol in the Matthew in the 15th century en route to discovering America. Further down channel are the historic old shipbuilding and fishing ports of Instow, Appledore and Bideford. Cardiff earned its reputation on the back of coal in the 19th century when it fed the trade routes of the world with the finest Welsh steaming coal.  While ships from Swansea carried copper and tin plate to the four corners of the globe. Milford Haven, one of the deepest natural harbours in the world, is set in the heart of the only Coastal National Park in Britain and owes its existence to the whaling industry.  Bristol Channel pilot cutters were tough, fast ships designed to be handled by a man and a boy capable of dealing with the fearsome tides and winning the race to put pilots aboard incoming merchant ships in mid channel.  Many were locally built and the true seaworthiness of vessels like ‘Mischief’ and ‘Baroque’ were proven beyond doubt by the late Bill Tilman.  An extraordinary explorer, Tilman crossed the oceans of the world in these fine sailing ships on long and arduous voyages of discovery to Arctic and Antarctic waters. Contact the area:  Area President: Viv Head Tel: 02920 610962 Apr-Sep e-mail: viv.head@talk21.com   Area Secretary: David Owens Tel: e-mail: bcsec@oldgaffersassociation.org