Meet the Committee
Colin Henwood
The Sylva Foundation, Little Wittenham Road, Long Wittenham, Oxon, OX14 4QT
07721 527052
colinhenwoodboats@gmail.com
www.colinhenwood.com
Having worked in a number of boatyards I started out working on my own in 1982, the business became Henwood and Dean Boatbuilders when Robert Dean came on board for the first 6 years. The boatyard specialised in building, restoring and maintaining beautiful Thames launches and in 2016 I handed the yard over to Tony Knights and Dan Wood and returned to happily working on my own again.
I carry on the same high-quality work on wooden launches and boats on a smaller scale. I also work as a surveyor and consultant advising anyone buying, restoring or insuring wooden boats here in the UK and abroad. I teach boat finishing skills at the Boat Building Academy and occasionally run two-day courses at the Sylva Foundation on paddle making.
Lastly, I write a regular column for WaterCraft Magazine and have published a book, "Head, Heart, Hand, a boatbuilders story".
Dick Philips
18 Woodberry Down Way, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3QT
01297 443671
dick@willowbayboats.co.uk
www.willowbayboats.co.uk
Producing a unique range of sailing boats from 12ft to 21ft. The designs embody the spirit of traditional working boats, and use the best of modern wooden boat construction methods.
The Farthing 12'and the Ha'penny 14' have lapstrake hulls and lug rigs, although gaff or gunter rigs are available.
The Shilling 17' camping cruiser and the Florin 21' are constructed using speed strip and wear a gaff yawl or cutter rig options. All are available as finished boats or as Kits for home completion. We are also able to complete one-off commissions up to a maximum size of 40ft.LOA.
Fabian Bush
The Old Yacht Store, 49 High Street, Rowhedge, Colchester, Essex CO5 7ET
01206 728577
07516 69103
fabianbush@btinternet.com
www.fabianbush.com
As of 2023 I'm 85% retired, and not looking for any major commissions. However, I am still on hand for advice or consultation on all aspects of wooden boats, design, restoration, building, and so on. I am still doing some boat building instruction, and have a stock of my own plans for small boats for sale.
I started with Arthur Holt Ltd at Heybridge Basin near Maldon, Essex in 1978 (at 25 already a committed amateur!) completing a 3-year apprenticeship before setting up on Osea Island on the River Blackwater in 1982. Since 1987 I've had a workshop in Rowhedge, near Colchester (once upon a time a significant yacht and ship-building village over the river from Wivenhoe). I'm a keen sailor, involved in both yacht and dinghy cruising, and interested in unusual and innovative design, as well as traditional craft.
My work encompassed both traditional and modern methods of wooden boat building, (about 60% repair and maintenance, 30% new building and design, 10% tuition and other work) and recent work commissions were for both traditional clinker and clinker plywood sailing boats designed to order. My website details many of the boats I've built.
Jamie Clay
Drift's End, 2 Victoria Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HF
01621 853804
07950 063642
jamie@jamieclayboatbuilding.co.uk
www.jamieclayboatbuilding.co.uk
Thorough-going yacht and boat restorations and new building, from the 50ft gaff cutters Hardy (1910) and William Fife’s 1898 Kismet, the Albert Strange yawls Venture, Charmina and Nirvana, to the humble Abbey Mill punt replica. Laid decks and deck joinery, spar-making, etc.
Specialist knowledge of history/restoration of the designs of Albert Strange. Small boats in traditional and clinker-ply construction - many Iain Oughtred designs built, also the very successful Bufflehead cruising sailing canoe.
Now retired, I am no longer accepting commissions, but always interested if I think I can be of help with a project.
Jane Kerr
Y Bwthyn, High Street, Llandysul, Ceredigion SA44 4DN
01559 363201
info@wbta.co.uk
Jane has been the WBTA secretary from the beginning in 1990. Her long career in administration within the NHS has given her the skills that keep the Association running smoothly.
Her late husband John Kerr, the remarkable wooden boat builder, was one of the founders of the WBTA. Jane is also involved with running the Atlantic Challenge International a charity inspiring young people to crew traditional Bantry Bay gigs. The UK gig, "Intregrite", was built by John Kerr.
Kevin Halcrow
Unit 15, Hall House Industrial Estate, Beehive Lane, New Hutton, Kendal, LA8 0AH
01539 727118
07980 659131
kevin@lakelandwoodenboats.co.uk
Lakeland Wooden Boats offer a range of boats from 10-30ft in modern construction methods. We also carry out restorations and repairs in traditional or modern methods, painting and varnishing using Awlgrip.