Membership
Become a member
Members are the strength and backbone of the Trust. Join the Trust, which is run entirely by volunteers, and help to ensure that our Thames Barges can be sailed in their traditional waters and enjoyed for ever. You will directly contribute to the preservation of Thames Barges and the skills needed to sail and maintain them. Your support will also help secure the future of two rare and vitally important examples of Britain’s maritime heritage – the Thames sailing barges, Centaur and Pudge.
Membership benefits
-
Members will receive our colour newsletter, Golden Chaffcutter, which is packed full of news and interesting articles about our work in preserving Centaur and Pudge. This is published every two months.
-
The Trust hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including social gatherings, talks and film shows, giving you plenty of opportunities to meet people with similar interests in Thames sailing barges and maritime history.
-
Members can opt to help on Open Days and exhibitions held during the warmer months, which most volunteers say is a really rewarding experience.
-
But most importantly, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are directly contributing to the preservation of two shining examples of our national maritime history, and the passing on of the skills and techniques needed to maintain and sail both barges.
-
There are opportunities to volunteer to help with the maintenance of the barges and if you’re interested, you could train to become a mate or third-hand. There’s also a Volunteer Reward Scheme which gives volunteers credits towards future sails on Centaur or Pudge.
Request to join
You can use the below form to request to become a member. Once submitted, your request will go to the membership secretary who will be in contact by email to advise on payment of subscription and forward your membership pack. Subscriptions are due on the 1st January every year unless you join between 1st October and 31st December when you are not required to renew until the second January after you join. Payment for membership is either by standing order or by cheque - you'll be able to choose your preference below. Alternatively, you can join by downloading our PDF form here and posting the completed pdf form to Membership Secretary, 25 Repertor Drive, Maldon, Essex CM9 6FQ.
