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The Thames & Kennet Marina is based just outside Reading in a nature reserve and incorporates a narrow boat and cruiser marina. With the ability to cater for a number of types of boats, including Dutch barges, the facility is unique in the area and has the best access to the Thames River and Kennet canal. As a new facility, all amenities are up to date and as a part of the Tingdene Group of companies, standards are always high and maintenance and development ongoing.
With two specific marinas, ample parking and easy access for numerous areas in and around Reading, this new site has everything a boater wants and more. We welcome long and short term berths to the facility so, just because you are not permanently in the area it does not mean you cannot make the most of these great facilities.
The specially designed picturesque narrow boat marina has been created to maximise manoeuvrability. With all the latest facilities, pontoons are coupled with a luxurious site with state of the art security and facilities making this the ideal place to site a boat for weekend or permanent use.
With new moorings designed with space in mind, the cruiser marina is able to accommodate a wide range of craft, from the small day boat to the enormous Dutch barge up to 25 meters (82 feet) in length. The facility has been specially designed with security in mind meaning your investment is safe and time spent at the marina is relaxed and hassle free.
Available at Thames & Kennet Marina to all permanent annual Tingdene Marinas berth-holders with a valid Tingdene Marinas ‘Loyalty Card’ (available from the Marina Office):
• A total of fourteen (14) nights visitor mooring free of charge at any other Tingdene Marina, in any calendar year, for the same craft, subject to availability
• Transfer your account balance and mooring to any other Tingdene Marina, subject to availability
• 15% discount on all diesel purchases at Thames & Kennet Marina (any quantity)
• 50% discount on pump-out tokens (£5 for Loyalty Card holders).
• 5% discount on all Chandlery purchases at Thames & Kennet Marina (excludes Trade and Account sales)
• 5% discount on Haven Knox-Johnston marine insurance introduced by Tingdene Marinas Ltd.
• 10% discount from BEHC Marine Trimmers at Walton Marina
• Free Hardstanding for a maximum 6 months per year, subject to availability (NB: Hoisting costs not included).
• Please contact the Marina Office for more details on
thameskennetmarina@tingdene.net or 0118 948 2911
• Terms and Conditions are available and on display in the Marina Office
• Accounts must be paid at due date for eligibility for the Loyalty Scheme
Thames & Kennet Marina News
Spring 2009 Issue
Will a Hard Winter Bode Well?
For the first time in years there has been inch thick ice on the Marina. Proper winter conditions, frozen pipes and icy conditions have kept us busy. Let us hope we will get a long hot summer as a reward.
The Waterfront Bistro/Bar
“Ask and you shall receive” as the saying goes. When you read this the alterations to the main building will be well under way. Hopefully we can greet the spring sitting with a glass or cup of something nice, and enjoy the new bistro and bar. Please support it now that we finally have it! Here’s a brief message from your host:
Hi, I’m Ray and along with my two colleagues David and Alan I am looking forward to opening The Waterfront on the Marina. We will be offering good simple food and bar facilities for berth holders and visitors alike. We are not only hoping to provide good quality food and drink but also a meeting place for boaters and likeminded people. The opening will be as soon as realistically possible but will depend on the speed of the licensing process. We welcome any comments or suggestions you may have so please drop by and say hello. You are also welcome to drop a note in through the letterbox or call me on this number: 07980 804 290.
Party
Our party will this year be on the 20th June and we hope to combine it with an Open Day for the Boat Sales. We are still ironing out the fine details, but please put a note in your diaries. We hope to see most of you that evening since we believe in the truth of the words “the more the merrier”. The party bar will be supplied by your new Bar so please support it.
Really Early Payers
We have been asked by several berth holders whether it would be possible to pay two or more years mooring fees at this year’s early payer rate due to the low or non existing interest rates in the banks. It is unlikely we will ever be able to offer better prices than this year’s early payer rate and we will be happy to accept this payment, if made now, for further years.
It has been pointed out to us by people renewing later in the year that it seems unfair that only berth holders renewing in April have the chance to be early payers. This year we are remedying this by offering everyone that they can pay up front in full, three months in advance at a reduced rate to save on their mooring fees. This means that you would effectively pay 2007 rates since the price has not gone up for up front payers in 2009.
Finally, we are pleased to announce that we have also frozen our tariff for annual contracts paid by monthly direct debit at 2008 prices.
Vans
May we please remind all van owners that from the 1st April all vans are to be parked in the designated Van parking area. We have wheel clamps and are not afraid to use them! This is especially important in the Narrowboat marina as there is limited space.
New Fire Alarms
New exterior fire alarms have recently been fitted to both buildings, one outside the Chandlery facing the Cruiser Marina and one outside the Launderette by the Narrowboat Marina. These replace the hand wound bells as they were deemed inadequate for our use.
Untaxed Vehicles
In the first week of March we will be checking all vehicles in the car park. Any untaxed or unroadworthy vehicles will be removed as per usual.
Insure your Boat
You may be considering insurance for your boat for the coming season, and if you are not already insured with Haven Knox-Johnston may we remind you that they offer a 10% reduction in premium if you are moored within one of our marinas.
We have also negotiated a further 5% discount with Haven Knox-Johnston for all Tingdene Marinas Loyalty Card holders.
If you would like to obtain a quote for insuring your boat, please contact Haven Knox-Johnston on 01732 223600. A Proposal Form is also enclosed with this Newsletter. It shows the details you will need to advise Haven Knox-Johnston in order to get a quote.
River Conditions
For information on river conditions please go to http://riverconditions.visitthames.co.uk/
This site will tell you if there are red or yellow boards anywhere on the river and the general state of affairs.
Elsan Disposal
Under absolutely no circumstances should cassettes be emptied down the toilets in the shower blocks. We realize it can be inconvenient when the facility is frozen, but a jug of hot water will generally solve the problem. We are working to implement a weather protected system so this is hopefully a short-lived problem.
Bicycles
This is the absolutely last chance to save your bike from being put up for adoption. All bikes that have not been claimed by 28th February will be given to good homes. Anyone interested in providing a nurturing and supportive environment for an ownerless bike are welcome to come and pick one up after this date. And please don’t park anywhere but designated bicycle stands, thank you.
Litter Lane
Many of you have commented on the sad state of the lane. Litter makes the trip down to the marina a depressing affair. Fortunately a few berth holders have offered to arrange a “Litter Sweep”. All volunteers are obviously very welcome, and the more people the faster we can get “our” lane looking nice and inviting again. Please contact the office for information.
Deliveries
Due to a rise in unannounced deliveries we are now tightening our rules. There will now be a book in the chandlery. If you are expecting a delivery/letter you write it in the book with a date, a phone number etc. Everything not registered in the book will be refused, with no exceptions. Thank you.
Safety Matters
Please remember that the Marina Grounds are surrounded by very deep water and as such not always the most suitable playground. Please make sure that our young berth holders and visitors are not left unattended, and wear life-jackets at all times.
See You at the Party
Let’s ignore all evidence of the contrary and decide that it will be a wonderfully sunny and balmy day with no winds stirring. Preferably followed by many more. If not we will be instigating a petition to have all of Berkshire and Oxfordshire covered in an Eden-like Dome with tropical climate control!
Phill, Ceil, Nigel and John |
