Hot air balloons fill the sky for Lord Mayor’s regatta

Rob PowellEvents, News

ALMOST fifty hot air balloons took to the sky early yesterday morning for the 2019 Lord Mayor of London’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta. The colourful flotilla of balloons appeared crossed the Thames several times in the hour long spectacle that started shortly after sunrise. Forty six balloons in a variety of colours and shapes took off from Battersea Park in …

Current fleet of Woolwich ferry boats to retire on Friday

Rob PowellNews, Passenger Vessels

THE LAST river crossings on the current fleet of Woolwich ferries will take place on Friday 5th October. The popular foot and vehicle crossing between Woolwich and North Woolwich will be out of action from Saturday until late December while work takes place on the piers to accommodate the brand new boats ordered by TFL. For local people it will …

Beluga whale spotted in the River Thames

Rob PowellNews

THE stunning spectacle of what appeared to be Beluga Whale in the Thames greeted river watchers earlier today. Crowds from far and wide gathered along the foreshore east of Gravesend for a rare glimpse of the whale as it fed close to moored barges. It was reported to be the southern most sighting ever for the white cetacean which is more …

New statue of the Queen unveiled in Gravesend

Rob PowellNews

A NEW statue of the Queen was unveiled close to the River Thames at Gravesend today. The sculpture by Douglas Jennings MRBS was commissioned to commemorate the Queen who became the longest reigning British monarch in September 2015. The bronze statue, which sits on a plinth in St Andrew’s Gardens, has been funded by a number of private organisations and …

Thames flotilla

Lord Mayor’s “No”: City of London pageant sinks Thames flotilla

Staff WriterNews

A flotilla of traditional Thames craft led by the Queen’s row barge Gloriana has been axed from this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show. QRB Gloriana and the Traditional Thames Rowing Association (TTRA) have been told they will not feature in the pageant which takes places in November. The ancient tradition of carrying the new Lord Mayor of London down the river …

Thames Calendar for 2018 now on sale

Rob PowellNews

THE On The Thames 2018 photo calendar has been released and is now available to buy online. It the fifth consecutive year that the pictorial calendar has been produced and one again it celebrates the sights up and down the tidal stretch of the river. This year’s edition has the heritage steam tug Portwey at Tower Bridge adorning the front …

Two Chinese frigates arrive in the capital

Rob PowellNavy, News

TWO frigates from China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy sailed up the River Thames today. The Type 054A ships Huanggang (577) and Yangzhou (578) arrived at West India Docks and they will be followed this evening by the 18-month old Type 903 replenishment ship Gaoyouhu which will go in to the Royal Docks. Just an hour separated the arrivals this morning …

Tilbury Power Station chimneys reduced to rubble

Staff WriterNews

TWO huge chimneys at Tilbury Power Station have been brought crashing down to the ground this morning, At 8am the tallest standing concrete structures in Essex were razed to the ground in a controlled demolition at the decommissioned power station. Crowds had gathered at vantage points in Tilbury and along the riverside in Gravesend to watch the local landmarks disappear …

Waverley arrives on the Thames for 2017 season

Staff WriterNews, Passenger Vessels

POPULAR paddle steamer Waverley has arrived on the river for the start of her 2017 Thames season. This year’s programme of excursions, which coincides with the 70th anniversary year of her maiden voyage, is already sold out on many days. On sunny Friday afternoon, she steamed up the Thames, stopping at Southend, Gravesend and then making her way up to …