See also

Latest News

[01/05/08] CAMCON MOORING REVIEW
Here are the proposals, justification and recommendations of the Cam Conservators following a public consultation on mooring on four particular sections of the river. Decisions have been deferred until October 2009, however, now is the time to start gathering evidence to ensure a fair outcome and to maintain the areas in which we currently moor. It makes for interesting reading...

[17/03/08] WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH!!
A BIG THANK YOU to all who sacrificed their time and helped with this year's Great Cam Clean-Up, which took place on Saturday, 15 March 2008. [more...]

[06/03/08] GREAT CAM CLEAN-UP 2008
It's almost that time of year again when we don our waders, and grapple with our hooks in order to appease the river gods in the Great Cam Clean-Up. This year's event will take place on 15 March starting at 10am under Elizabeth Way bridge and culminating in a self-congratulatory sausage at the Fort St George. See events (and the lovely Whoover Swans poster) for details.

[28/02/08] CAMBOATERS NEWSLETTER
The February 2008 newsletter has been delivered to boats in Cambridge and is available to download from the newsletter section of this site.

[18/01/08] IT'S OK TO BE SINGLE
The Scrutiny Committee met yesterday to consider the recommendations of the Council's mooring policy review, which included plans to withdraw the discount for single occupancy - effectively a 33% fee increase for the majority of licence holders. This was subsequently amended and the single persons discount will now remain until 2010 when it looks as though the Council intends to charge based on boat length. A partial success!

[15/01/08] MOORING REVIEW RECOMMENDS 33% FEE INCREASE
A mooring policy review claiming to represent the views of boaters and other stakeholders has been carried out by Cambridge City Council. Unfortunately, the outcome is not all good. Their report and recommendations (to be voted on this week by the Scrutiny Committee) can be found below along with a response from Camboaters.

[28/09/07] AGM DATE ANNOUNCED - 18 October 2007
Come to the Camboaters AGM for your chance to voice your opinions and to vote for (or join!) the new committee. With a mooring policy review planned for November, it's time to show a united front... See events for details.

[28/09/07] COUNCIL MEETING: MOORING REVIEW & RUBBISH
Committee members recently attended the quarterly meeting between Camboaters, the Cam Conservators and the City Council. See issues and campaigns for notes from the meeting plus the results of our refuse survey.

[17/08/07] CAMBOATERS NEWSLETTER
The latest Camboaters newsletter is available to download and will also be delivered right to your door (if you live on a boat in Cambridge that is!) very soon indeed. The newsletter includes a refuse/recycling survey, which we would be grateful if you could complete and return ASAP:

[10/08/07] ELY RIVER REOPENS
The River Great Ouse, closed to navigation between Ely and Popes Corner following a train delainment, will reopen on the afternoon of Friday 10 August. A new rail bridge for the site is currently being designed by Network Rail. The river will not close for navigation when construction of the bridge begins.

[19/07/07] BOAT OPEN DAY, 5 August 2007
Our annual Boat Open Day is taking place on 5th August from noon to 4pm in the basin at Jesus Green. Please let Jay know if you would like to open your boat to the public or just turn up on the day!

[26/06/07] ELY RIVER CLOSURE
Please note that the River Great Ouse is closed to navigation from Popes Corner to Ely until further notice following a major freight derailment at the Newmarket Rail Bridge in Ely.

[12/06/07] MIDSUMMER FAIR
PDF document Letter to boaters from the Council regarding the Midsummer Fair, which starts setting up on the Common from Sunday 17 June and closes on Monday 25 June.

[16/04/07] RIVER CAM CLEAN UP SUCCESS
Many thanks to all who participated in yesterday's fantastic River Cam Clean Up. 75 bikes, 40 shopping trolleys and a gramophone were among the rubbish pulled from the river. A full report and photos will follow. In the meantime, read the Cambridge Evening News article.

[12/04/07] NEW RIVERSIDE FOOT AND CYCLE BRIDGE
Please be aware that work starts this month on the new foot and cycle bridge to link Riverside with Chesterton. Work is due to take one year, with completion expected in April 2008. Cambridgeshire County Council, who are leading the project, advise boats moored between the Museum of Technology to Bartholomew's Court to move before 1 June 2007 for their own safety, as it will effectively be a construction site. To find out more about the scheme, go to www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/riversidebridge/ or contact the Project Manager, Mike Davies, on 01223 717759 or email
capital.programme@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

[26/03/07] BOAT FIRE SAFETY WEEK
In support of Boat Fire Safety Week, Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service is offering FREE boat fire safety checks to all Cambridge boat owners. Free smoke detectors will also be given out when each safety check is undertaken. Full details...

[07/03/07] MOORING LICENCE FEES UPDATE
Good news! The Council have agreed to return to their original pricing structure for mooring licences. The total fee for this year - including VAT - will again be the equivalent of Council Tax Band A. The Council will shortly be posting a letter to all boaters with details of the revised charges. Full details...

[06/03/07] COUNCIL TO INCREASE MOORING LICENCE FEES
In 2006, when boaters on the River Cam started paying mooring licences to moor on Cambridge Council land, fees were fixed at the same level as Council Tax Band A. In 2007, we are being faced with increases of between 23% and 60% in our fees. Read the following for Camboaters' reaction to the news:

[20/02/07] COUNCIL DEMANDS BACKDATED MOORING FEES
Cambridge City Council recently requested backdated mooring fees from licence holders. Camboaters contacted the Council expressing the concerns of boaters regarding this demand. If you are having trouble paying this fee please contact the Active Communities at the Council, who have agreed to be flexible in scheduling payments. Camboaters would be pleased to hear from anyone who thinks the Council has treated them unfairly over this matter.

[16/01/07] BOATERS HIT BY 12 PER CENT RISE
Cambridge Evening News reports on the annual rise in registration fees for motorised boats set by the Cam Conservancy. Read report...

[11/01/07] FLOOD & WIND WARNINGS
The river is currently very high and flowing fast. Boaters are strongly advised to take the following flood and wind precautions to avoid coming adrift and putting themselves and others at risk. Thanks to Robin for the advice.

[10/01/07] CAMBOATERS NEWSLETTER - January 2007
The latest newsletter has been delivered to your boat (check all the nooks and crannies if you can't locate it!) and is available in all the usual places. It will be available to download from the newsletter section of this site when the software decides to let me upload it!! Watch this space... on second thoughts, don't.

[01/12/06] DECK THE BOWS WITH HOLLY
'Tis the season to be jolly! To celebrate, boaters are taking part in ' boat advent' (see events). Each day, from 1-24 December, you can find a new display on a boat as you stroll along the commons.

[28/11/06] CAMBOATERS NEWSLETTER - November 2006
The November 2006 newsletter has been delivered to boats in Cambridge and is available to download from the newsletter section of this site. Introducing the new committee and latest updates on what's been happening.

[19/06/06] VISITOR MOORINGS REINSTATED
Cambridge City Council and GOBA have issued press releases following the reinstatement of the 48 hour visitor moorings on Jubilee Gardens. Camboaters are thanked by both parties for our efforts and support in helping to resolve the issue.

[29/04/06] GOBA THREATENS LEGAL ACTION
GOBA has written to the Cambridge City Council Chief Executive stating that if the 48-hour visitor moorings at Jubilee Gardens are not reinstated within the next seven days, they will make an application to the Administrative Division of the High Court of Justice for a Judicial Review of the proceedings of the Community Services Scrutiny Committee and the Executive Councillor’s decision.

The letter has also been copied to national boating press, local press and regional TV news. See the GOBA website for details

[11/04/06] NO VISITOR MOORINGS IN CAMBRIDGE
The Scrutiny Committee, headed by Joye Rosenstiel, last week decided to grant temporary permits (they will need to find alternative mooring within 12 months) to an extra six boats whose mooring applications were initially unsuccessful. In order to make room, the committee took the decision to scrap visitor mooring for a year. No suggestion has been offered as to where the hundreds of visitors who make the journey to Cambridge are supposed to go.

Albeit good news for the boaters who now have a licence, many feel it is a shame that the new mooring scheme - worked on so hard by council officers and residential boaters - has had the rug pulled from under it at the first hurdle. Camboaters have requested an urgent meeting with Joye Rosenstiel to seek clarification and resolve the situation.

Enforcement of the scheme has been postponed until May 2006.

[21/03/06] MOORING LICENCE UPDATE
The City Council's new mooring policy comes into effect on 1 April 2006 and everyone who applied for a mooring permit should now know whether or not they were successful. For details and updates see the mooring policy and licence implementation section of this website.

Mooring policy information, other news items and details of upcoming events can be found in the latest Camboaters newsletter, which has been delivered to all boats in Cambridge, or you can download a copy: PDF document A Voice on the River, March 2006

To keep up with discussions about the new policy and other issues currently affecting Camboaters, follow the posts on the discussion board.

[20/03/06] BACK IN THE NEWS
In the past week, both Cambridge Evening News and BBC Radio Cambridgeshire have featured Camboaters and the implementation of the new Cambridge mooring policy. See Press Coverage for details.

[16/12/05] A VOICE ON THE RIVER - November 2005
The November Camboaters newsletter is now available to download from the Newsletter page. Sorry for the delay!

[27/09/05] A VOICE ON THE RIVER - September 2005
The latest newsletter is out now. All the very latest happenings for those living on the Cam. Introducing the new committee etc. Download from the Newsletter page.

[26/09/05] CCA COMMITTEE MEETING
Geoff Facer (Cam Conservancy) and Alistair Frost (Cambridge County Council) will be meeting with Camboaters on 27 September to discuss the mooring policy situation and to answer any questions you may have. Please let as many people know as possible - these guys are giving up their spare time so a good turn out would be a good way to show our appreciation. Spread the word as you might never get a better chance to give 'em a grilling!! [details]

[12/09/05] CCA COMMITTEE MEETING & AGM
Come along to the AGM to vote in the next CCA committee who will be responsible for ensuring that the Council implements a fair mooring policy for Cambridge in 2006. Only CCA members are permitted to vote so if you aren't already a member, sign up now! [AGM details]

[29/07/05] BOAT OPEN DAY & RIVER FESTIVAL
Following its huge popularity last year, residential boat owners in Cambridge will once again be opening their hatches to the landlubbing public at the 2nd Cambridge Boat Open Day and River Festival... [details]

[28/07/05] A VOICE ON THE RIVER - July 2005
News for all living on the River Cam. The new look newsletter includes all the very latest on the Coucil's mooring proposals, our impending Boat Open Day, and plans for a Camboaters Community Association AGM in September.

[19/07/05] TOWN BUMPS 2005
The Town Bumps start tonight and take place on the River Cam over the next four evenings (6-9pm). At least six Camboaters are racing in the competition in Simoco and Champion of the Thames crews, so come along and give them your support!!

[06/07/05] MOORINGS IMPLEMENTATION POLICY
Please find below a copy of an update statement relating to the implementation of Cambridge City Council's Moorings Policy. The update statement will also be posted on the City Council's website in the next few days (www.cambridge.gov.uk). Paper copies are available at Hobson House reception. Details can be supplied in other formats on request.

[09/06/05] CAMBOATERS NEWS: Issue 13
The June edition of Camboaters News - which includes Dave and Nathan's much anticipated Zander recipe! - is now available to download. Needless to say, a paper copy will be delivered shortly to all boats along the River Cam and the Fort St George pub (on the Camboaters noticeboard). As this is Luther's last offering, I think we should heartily thank him for the time, energy, humour and financial sacrifice he's expended over the past year in a bid to aid communication along the river and to keep us informed and prepared to tackle the issues affecting our community. Cheers for your efforts, Luther!!

[01/06/05] STRAWBERRY FAIR 2005
Don't forget, Midsummer Common plays host to Strawberry Fair this Saturday (4 June). For the uninitiated, this is "one of the largest, free, open-air festivals of its kind in the country" and it's taking place in your back garden!! For full details see the Strawberry Fair website. See you there...!!

[10/05/05] MOORING POLICY TALKS GET UNDERWAY
Representatives from the River Cam boating community met with Cambridge City Council members last week to introduce themselves and to commence talks regarding a mooring policy and associated issues. The meeting was regarded as very positive and those present were confident that a fair outcome will be reached. More details to follow in due course…

[10/05/05] HELP THE CAM CONSERVATORS BUILD A MARINA
 Cambridge City Council's Local Plan determines how land in Cambridge is used and developed. The Cam Conservators are aiming to include their land in the next Local Plan as a site for off river mooring. Support them in their bid by completing the Omission Response Form below. Forms need to be returned to the Council by 16 May.

[06/05/05] RACES AND BBQ REMINDER!!
 Don't forget to please move your boats this weekend, upstream of the Fort or downstream to Stourbridge (or to Clayhithe for a BBQ), to avoid the rowing races that are taking place on the River Cam on Sunday 8 May. More info...

[14/04/05] MOORING BAN DEFERRED
As announced on the Cam Con's website, the proposed ban on Midsummer Common mooring has been deferred until 1 October 2007 to allow for a full year's monitoring of the City Council's impending policy on residential moorings, which will come into effect on 1 April 2006.

[07/04/05] THE GREAT CAM CLEAN-UP
Volunteers are required for the Great Cam Clean-Up so get your wellies and rubber gloves out and come down to the river to join in the fun!

  • Press release announcing the Camboaters annual clean up of the River Cam

[06/04/05] WE DO WANT TO CONTRIBUTE!
Letter from Luther Phillips recently published in the Cambridge Evening News.

[23/03/05] BBC RADIO CAMBRIDGESHIRE INTERVIEW
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire broadcast an interview this morning with Luther Phillips and Joye Rosenstiel regarding the City Council's proposed mooring policy. See Press Coverage for more media stories.

[22/03/05] BOAT DWELLERS BLAST 'EXCESSIVE' CHARGES
We're "angry River Cam boat dwellers" according to the latest Cambridge Evening News article on the mooring consultation. See Press Coverage for other stories in the media featuring Camboaters.

[16/03/05] MOORINGS CONSULTATION REPORT
Following the recent River Cam Moorings Consultation, Cambridge City Council has drawn up its recommendations for a proposed mooring policy. The moorings consultation report is due to be submitted to the Community Development and Leisure Scrutiny Committee for consideration and comment before a decision is made by the Executive Councillor. Members of the public are welcome to attend the Scrutiny Committee meeting, which will take place at the Guildhall on 24 March at 2.30pm.

[18/02/05] CAMBOATERS NEWS: Issue 12
The wait is over! The February issue of Camboaters News should have found its way to your boat by now. If not, you can download it from the Newsletter section of this website. Get those letters in to Aunt Fanny...

[17/01/05] RIVER CAM MOORINGS CONSULTATION
Cambridge City Council have distributed a consultation document to seek views on where mooring should take place and whether charges should be made. Although we appear to be absent from the list of consultees in the City Council Forward Plan, the Council assures us that residential boaters are indeed included. While Camboaters wait to receive their copy of the consultation document, here's one we scanned earlier:

The consultation has already been picked up by the media, featuring this week in local newpapers, TV and radio broadcasts. See Press Coverage for details.

[01/12/04] CAMBOATERS NEWS: Issue 11
The latest edition of Camboaters News (issue 11) was delivered to boats along the Cam yesterday. If you haven't received yours yet, you can download it from the Newsletter section of this website.

[01/12/04] UPCOMING EVENTS
In case you don't see enough of each other, a couple of new events have been added to our social calendar. See Events & Meetings for full details of an impending Ten Pin Bowling night and the last Social Gathering of a very interesting and industrious year for Camboaters!

[01/12/04] CCA COMMITTEE MEETING
Committee Members should note that next week's Committee Meeting (7 Dec) may need to be rescheduled. The CCA Committee Meetings page will be updated as soon as a time and venue is confirmed.

[22/11/04] PIRATES HELP CHILDREN IN NEED

evil pirate

Not-so-evil pirates ambushed the Fort St George on Friday night to hornswaggle customers of their hard-earned pieces of eight - all in the name of charity, of course. Camboaters raised a swashbuckling £360 for the BBC Children in Need appeal. Shiver me timbers! Very well done, you old seadogs...

[03/11/04] WOT NO NEWS?!
Apologies for the lack of news since the Conservator's decision. No we haven't all been resting on our laurels. Since the formation of the CCA, we have been busy meeting, researching, discussing and making plans. Details about our ongoing endeavours will appear on this website. In the meantime, you can keep up with what's going on by reading our regular newsletter, Camboaters News.

[23/9/04] HOORAY!!!!!!

© CEN: camboaters celebrate the news

As a result of massive public support, the Cam Conservators have agreed to defer the proposed mooring ban until October 2005. The decision was reached at this morning's Cam Conservator's meeting, which was attended by more Camboaters than Conservators! The City Council have promised to look into their mooring policy in the interim, and the Conservators have voted to review their policy with regard to navigation. This is fantastic news and a great testament to everybody who got involved and supported the campaign. We can't thank you enough! Report from the Cambridge Evening News.

[20/9/04] BOOK YOUR SEATS NOW!!
The next meeting of the Cam Conservators will be held this Thursday (23 September) at 9.30am in Committee Room 1 (The Heidelberg Room), The Guildhall, Cambridge. Public are welcome to attend. Will they or won't they reverse the ban?? WATCH THIS SPACE...

[17/9/04] CAMBOATERS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION (CCA) PUBLIC MEETING
Monday, 20 September at 7.45pm in The Boathouse, Chesterton Road
This meeting is being held to publicly announce the constitution of the CCA and to formally elect members to its Management Committee. The CCA aims to promote the interests of all users of the River Cam on matters concerning recreation, navigation, the environment, and the social and community life on the river, and to develop its relationship with relevant authorities, river users and local residents to promote greater harmony. Specifically, the CCA plans to work with the City Council and Cam Conservators to agree a structured mooring plan that reflects the needs, safety and welfare of residential boaters on the Cam.

[17/9/04] GOOD JOB GUYS!
Last weekend, Camboaters and volunteers generously gave up their lie-ins and sacrificed their Saturday morning to participate in the Great Cam Clean Up. Over 660 litres of rubbish and another 660 litres of recyclable items were recovered from the river and adjoining banks, all the way from Bottisham Lock to Grantchester Meadows. Well done guys, another successful event to be proud of!

[14/9/04] NAVIGATION PROBLEM?

two crews passing each other with a third on the bank

At the town bumps in June, crews were perfectly capable of getting past narrowboats on Midsummer Common, even when two crews were passing each other with a third on the bank. So, what's the Real Issue here??

[10/9/04] COUNCIL THROWS WEIGHT BEHIND BOAT OWNERS
"At the City Council's full council meeting on Thursday night, members of all parties voted unanimously to oppose the controversial decision made by the Cam Conservators." Full report from the Cambridge Evening News.

[7/9/04] MOVE TO FEND OFF MOORING BAN PLAN
"Councillors may ask for a reversal of the proposed ban on mooring off Midsummer Common." Latest update from the Cambridge Evening News.

[7/9/04] NEXT EVENT: The Great Cam Clean Up
Saturday, 11 September 2004 : from 7am
VOLUNTEERS WANTED for the Great Cam Clean Up!! Join the Camboaters in a clean up of the River Cam and its towpaths, from Bottisham lock to Granchester Meadows. Followed by BBQ on Midsummer Common. See our Events page for details...

[2/9/04] NEWS UPDATE
The following motion has been tabled by Councillor Joye Rosenstiel and Councillor Ian Nimmo-Smith. It will be debated at the next full council meeting on Thursday 9 September which starts at 6pm in the Guildhall. The meeting is open to the public.

"The City Council deeply regrets the decision of the Cam Conservators to unilaterally ban moorings on Midsummer Common and call upon the Conservators to reverse this decision at their meeting on 23rd September pending the outcome of the City Council consulation on the future of moorings along the banks of the River Cam. The Council urges the Conservators to work with the university and college boat clubs to explore ways of reducing congestion on the river by means of a scheme of traffic management."

[23/8/04] THANK-YOU!
Many thanks to the hundreds of people who attended and supported us at the Open Boat Day on Sunday 22 August. The day was a huge success and fun was had by all. Read all about it in the Cambridge Evening News and take a look at photos of the event. Same again next year...