• Who is responsible for the Ferry?

• When does the Ferry operate?

• Who runs each session?

• Could I help?

• Publicity

• An upgrade in 2002

• Want to Join Us?

Pleasure trips on the river and why not!

In years long gone there was a regular ferry service across the Colne.  This was used by folks to get to work, catch the train from Wivenhoe, visit the doctor, or have the doctor come to them, or seeing friends and relations on the other side. That all ended in 1952 when the service was axed.

Forty years later, in 1992, a ferry was reinstated to connect Wivenhoe, Rowhedge, and Fingringhoe  running as a pleasure service at weekends.  

The ferry provides access across the Colne between these three local communities.  It is run by the Wivenhoe Ferry Trust, a non-profit making organisation, run entirely by volunteers.

Who is responsible for the Ferry?

The Wivenhoe Ferry Trust is a voluntary organisation.  It was founded in 1992 by four people - Rod Smart, Brian Sinclair, Peter Hill and Doug Meyers. Today it is run by an organising committee of skippers and others.

When does the Ferry operate?

The ferry as it was pre-1952. 
Illustration by Mrs Margaret Dunne

Who runs each Session?

The ferry has a fully trained skipper for each session on the water.  The skipper is assisted by one or two crew members, one on the boat and one on the quay.  

During the session the crew take it in turns to travel on the boat.  Fares need to be collected and our publicity booklet needs to be sold.

Could I help?

Yes indeed, come and join us.  We are always on the lookout for new supporters.  As we are a volunteer organisation,  we need to recruit new enthusiasts regularly.  

We are always looking for people to help. On the shore: fundraising, publicity, committee support, boat and equipment maintenance. In the mud: maintaining jetties and moorings. On the water: as crew and skippers!

For crew members, the training sessions are done during the regular service and remember, it’s a great way to meet people. 

For the more ambitious, we could train you to become one of our skippers. 

Or perhaps you used to help with the ferry and would like to join us again?  We’re also happy to renew old friendships.

Publicity

Every year the Ferry Publicity Officer produces a Guide Book.  Most importantly this booklet contains the Timetable of Services, very useful if you’re planning a trip out.  

It also contains information about community organisations, news and articles.  There are photographs from the archives.  Local businesses help greatly by purchasing advertising space in the booklet and we would like to thank them for their continued support. 

The Guide Book only costs £1 and is available in local outlets and on the ferry itself. For more details - click here 

THE FUTURE: ‘Excuse me, where is the Ferry going next?’

2002 was an exciting year; the ferry carried more passengers than ever before. The ferry has clearly established itself as a vital leisure amenity on the River Colne for the people of Colchester Borough and its visitors.

Plans we agreed in 1999 have been put into place. We decided then it was time to improve and extend the service for the future, building on the success of the past.

We sought: 

•   A bigger ferry-boat 
•   Floating pontoons at Rowhedge and Wivenhoe
•   More publicity about the service
•   More volunteers
•   Provide extra training courses for volunteer skippers and crew. 

We also needed money to enable these plans to be realised.

We are grateful to the many people who have supported this vision and especially Cory Environmental Trust which agreed a very substantial contribution.

This has enabled us to buy a larger boat for the 2002 season which we have kitted out to handle bikes at less risk to people, as well as the boat being much better for passengers generally. 

Also with the financial help of Cory Environmental Trust, we have been able to replace the earlier fixed wooden jetty at Wivenhoe with a much safer floating pontoon which is much better for anybody who is a bit unsteady on their feet or in a wheel chair. 

More comprehensive and thorough training of skippers and crew has been undertaken. 

One target remains and that is to do something to improve the boarding arrangements at Rowhedge. Other things are happening at Rowhedge which may resolve what we need to do without too much effort from ourselves, so we must be patient and wait.    

Interested in helping?    Want to Join Us?

Meet members of the Wivenhoe Ferry Trust and its volunteers after any weekend service and have a chat with them about your possible interest. 

Or contact us:

Dave Purdey (Chairman)    tel: 01206 827112
or Richard Allerton    tel: 01206 824118

Official address:  Wivenhoe Ferry Trust, 1 Trinity Close, Wivenhoe CO7 9RA

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