Bargeman’s Award

A Trainee on the TSBT Scheme at work on a barge. Credit: Thames Sailing Barge Trust

In the summer of 2016 a worrying situation arose. A number of barge charters and public trips could not take place because of a shortage of qualified and experienced Skippers and Mates.

As a result two new initiatives were started. The Thames Sailing Barge Trust set up a training programme for barge crews – The Trainee Skippers and Mates Scheme – with the aim of keeping alive the skills needed to sail, maintain and repair Thames barges. The Trust usually recruits around ten new volunteer third hands to train as barge crew every January and those who join accept that it is a long-term commitment to achieve qualification.

At the same time SSBR decided to mark the long service to the Society of founder member Richard Hugh Perks, who had stood down from the Committee for health reasons, by launching The Bargeman’s Award. Although it is SSBR’s project, discussions took place at once with the Sailing Barge Association and the Association of Bargemen. A judging committee of three was formed with Roger Newlyn in the chair and representing SSBR, Paul Jeffries representing SBA and Kevin Finch representing AOB. SSBR agreed to give each year’s winner a handsome glass trophy and a year’s free membership of the Society.

Although it was hoped that the Award competition would bring forward young barge enthusiasts, there were no age limits and older people who were new to barge crewing were welcome to apply. An application form was printed and circulated around the barge community. In that first year nominations were received for a good number, many of whom were already proving themselves on the charter and public trip barges and on barge match days.

It was decided that the result of the 2026 would be announced and presented at the Society’s Annual General Meeting. As Alanna was not present it was agreed that it would be presented as soon after as possible.

John Rayment, Committee Member awarded the trophy to Alanna during a day sail on sb Centaur with members of the volunteer Thursday Group from the Thames Sailing Barge Trust

The committee invite nominations and selected a winner each year. No competition was held in 2022 and 2024 or 2025

Thank you to Roger, Kevin and Paul for all their work to make The Bargeman’s Award so highly regarded.

The Bargeman’s Award winners so far:-

2016 – Tom Lagan
2017 – Laurie Watkins
2018 – Matt Reid
2019 – Olivia Slater
2020 – No competition because of Covid 19
2021 – Tom Moody
2022 – No competition
2023 – Lucian Hawkes
2026 – Alanna Cameron

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