Trust Members
Derek Gransden
Chairman and Skipper. Derek caught the steam bug as a small boy regularly crossing The Thames on the Tilbury Ferry, with that evocative smell of hot steam oil wafting across from the old Sun Steam Tugs.
Although Derek had tackled minor restoration projects, including a Riley Gamecock, his first major restoration was Super Sentinel Waggon No 6979, soon to be followed by DG6 Sentinel Waggon No 8351. Derek always had an interest in sailing as, with his father Eric Gransden, he had built and owned yachts for as long as he can remember.
When the opportunity to restore VIC 96 was first discussed, it seemed the ideal opportunity to combine his love of steam and the sea. Having put together a group of like-minded friends, they regularly travelled the 800 mile round trip to Maryport in Cumbria for over five years to carry out the restoration. Derek now enjoys the ultimate challenge of skippering the VIC!
Although Derek had tackled minor restoration projects, including a Riley Gamecock, his first major restoration was Super Sentinel Waggon No 6979, soon to be followed by DG6 Sentinel Waggon No 8351. Derek always had an interest in sailing as, with his father Eric Gransden, he had built and owned yachts for as long as he can remember.
When the opportunity to restore VIC 96 was first discussed, it seemed the ideal opportunity to combine his love of steam and the sea. Having put together a group of like-minded friends, they regularly travelled the 800 mile round trip to Maryport in Cumbria for over five years to carry out the restoration. Derek now enjoys the ultimate challenge of skippering the VIC!
Jim Hatfield
VIC 96 Trust Company Secretary. Jim cut his teeth in ship preservation whilst still at school. He tried to buy the 32,000 ton 661 ft long Chilean battleship Almirante Latorre. It had been HMS Canada in the Great War and was the last surviving Jutland Dreadnought. Sadly, despite sympathy from the Chilean Ambassador, it was already in the process of being scrapped in Japan.
His next project was more successful. In the 1970s he and a group of friends raised funds to buy Southern Railway 4-6-0 locomotive No 847 from Barry Scrapyard and it is now running on the Bluebell Railway.
A little later Jim discovered Sentinel Steam waggons whilst on a locomotive driving course at the Bluebell. He now owns and runs a 1930 built Sentinel DG6, a six wheel lorry on solid rubber tyres. Low loaders are not for Jim and he has made some very long journeys in the DG.
His involvement with the The Sentinel Drivers' Club then led directly to the preservation of VIC 96 there being 7 Sentinel Drivers in the VIC preservation team. The VIC and Barking have brought together Jim’s love of sea and steam.
In real life, after starting out in marine engineering, Jim became a Chartered Building Surveyor running his own business with an emphasis on conservation and repair of period and historic buildings. However, he has an abiding interest in naval history and his enthusiasm spills over to talks and articles in various specialist journals.
Even when not in the engine room of the VIC or Barking or on the DG, Jim manages to keep his steam interest going by mowing the lawn with his quarter size Fowler ploughing engine.
His next project was more successful. In the 1970s he and a group of friends raised funds to buy Southern Railway 4-6-0 locomotive No 847 from Barry Scrapyard and it is now running on the Bluebell Railway.
A little later Jim discovered Sentinel Steam waggons whilst on a locomotive driving course at the Bluebell. He now owns and runs a 1930 built Sentinel DG6, a six wheel lorry on solid rubber tyres. Low loaders are not for Jim and he has made some very long journeys in the DG.
His involvement with the The Sentinel Drivers' Club then led directly to the preservation of VIC 96 there being 7 Sentinel Drivers in the VIC preservation team. The VIC and Barking have brought together Jim’s love of sea and steam.
In real life, after starting out in marine engineering, Jim became a Chartered Building Surveyor running his own business with an emphasis on conservation and repair of period and historic buildings. However, he has an abiding interest in naval history and his enthusiasm spills over to talks and articles in various specialist journals.
Even when not in the engine room of the VIC or Barking or on the DG, Jim manages to keep his steam interest going by mowing the lawn with his quarter size Fowler ploughing engine.
Tony Slingsby
The first time Tony took to the water was at the end of the war when his elder brother obtained an aircraft drop tank and converted it into a two seater canoe, which was then used for exploring every part of the river Stour around Ashford, Kent.
On joining the RAF in 1956 Tony’s travels took him to many places and his liking for water was rekindled on the many visits to what was formerly known as the Persian Gulf and he spent all his spare time dinghy sailing, where capsizing was a pleasure as the water was always warm.
Tony left the RAF in 1976 when his second hobby of steam engines came to the forefront, encouraged by his great friend Michael Pink, one of the first preservationists and a great mentor. Tony’s wife Jean found him his first engine and over the years he has been fortunate enough to have owned engines of different makes from road roller to steam waggon, which have been either rebuilt or refurbished.
Involvement with the VIC 96 started with a phone call from Derek Gransden asking if he was interested in a project and the rest, as they say, is history. The voyage bringing VIC 96 to Chatham from Maryport was worth all the effort and a memorable five weeks, particularly if you have a liking for coal shovels and oil cans!
On joining the RAF in 1956 Tony’s travels took him to many places and his liking for water was rekindled on the many visits to what was formerly known as the Persian Gulf and he spent all his spare time dinghy sailing, where capsizing was a pleasure as the water was always warm.
Tony left the RAF in 1976 when his second hobby of steam engines came to the forefront, encouraged by his great friend Michael Pink, one of the first preservationists and a great mentor. Tony’s wife Jean found him his first engine and over the years he has been fortunate enough to have owned engines of different makes from road roller to steam waggon, which have been either rebuilt or refurbished.
Involvement with the VIC 96 started with a phone call from Derek Gransden asking if he was interested in a project and the rest, as they say, is history. The voyage bringing VIC 96 to Chatham from Maryport was worth all the effort and a memorable five weeks, particularly if you have a liking for coal shovels and oil cans!
Julian Swift
Julian Swift, was born 1946, not long after VIC96, at the top of Charing Hill Kent. While doing as little as possible at Maidstone Grammar School he became interested in historic buildings of the type that were lived and worked in. This led to what people did in them, particularly in reference to his father’s job as a plant man at Maidstone Swimming Baths, a beautiful and complete, even to its plant, Victorian structure near the gas works in Fairmeadow. Every time he looks at early engineering and steam plant he is reminded of going there after school. As a result of being in a building family, at 21 he started his own business renovating period properties, which still operates, including its own joinery shop and other craft trades. Hobby was old transport, firstly old cars, then vintage motorcycles when he married Joanna, who only rides motorcycles.
He became more interested in steam when he met Robbie Jardine in the 1970’s with his Fremlin’s Sentinel waggon at the top of Charing Hill. His favorite 1920 AJS v twin came from Robbie. While doing a job for Chris Jones' (a BSA 3 wheeler came from Chris) mother in the early 1980’s he met Julian Hopper and Martin Stevens and long-term friendships have continued. One day, while the Swifts were restoring a fishing bothy on Raasay, Isle of Skye, Julian Hopper rang to say "Call in at Maryport on the way home, there’s something for you to see there” and, after a while, that was that.
He became more interested in steam when he met Robbie Jardine in the 1970’s with his Fremlin’s Sentinel waggon at the top of Charing Hill. His favorite 1920 AJS v twin came from Robbie. While doing a job for Chris Jones' (a BSA 3 wheeler came from Chris) mother in the early 1980’s he met Julian Hopper and Martin Stevens and long-term friendships have continued. One day, while the Swifts were restoring a fishing bothy on Raasay, Isle of Skye, Julian Hopper rang to say "Call in at Maryport on the way home, there’s something for you to see there” and, after a while, that was that.
Joanna Swift
Joanna Swift (nee Findlay), born in 1948 in North Lancashire and brought up on the Fells with the moors to roam over. She wore clogs, rode a motorcycle from 17 and loved the open country and explored as far as the Lake District, she watched, while waiting for the bus to school, all the lorries and wondered what loads they were carrying, and where to, and the big machines building the first Motorway round Preston. Perhaps it was that, and her love of big open spaces and the Lakes, that eventually led to interest in the sea and steamships, or maybe “Dirty British coaster with its salt caked smokestack” from English Lit at school? Trained as a horticulturalist, after marrying Julian, she gave it up to be a partner in the period house renovation business, while looking after an ever-increasing family.
When the VIC96 idea came up she pushed Julian into it with the thought that it would be good for them and Luke to have a different project to work together on every month. And she could see more of her beloved Lakes! With a large family, and liking old stoves, she also enjoys coping with cooking for gangs of hungry workers and shipmates. Her dreams were fulfilled by, among many unforgettable things, being able to steer the ship up Loch Ness and having many companionable hours with Julian on deck in their waterproofs as they rolled around in the North Sea. She still insists on being aboard whenever the VIC steams out and at working parties, scrubbing, scraping and painting!
When the VIC96 idea came up she pushed Julian into it with the thought that it would be good for them and Luke to have a different project to work together on every month. And she could see more of her beloved Lakes! With a large family, and liking old stoves, she also enjoys coping with cooking for gangs of hungry workers and shipmates. Her dreams were fulfilled by, among many unforgettable things, being able to steer the ship up Loch Ness and having many companionable hours with Julian on deck in their waterproofs as they rolled around in the North Sea. She still insists on being aboard whenever the VIC steams out and at working parties, scrubbing, scraping and painting!
Ian Woollett (deceased)
Chief Engineer. Ian has been obsessed by all things mechanical - and especially steam engines - as long as he can remember. After leaving school he was apprenticed to R.A.Lister & Co. Ltd. Dursley (Diesel engine makers) and then went on to work overseas for many years, in Nigeria, Malaysia, South Africa, Madagascar and the U.S.A.
In 1950 he purchased his first full size engine for restoration, Foden D type tractor No. 13358 followed in 1953 by Sentinel SD4 waggon 8448 and Ruston No.6 steam navvy No. 887 in 1968. All of these were restored to working order.
Then in 1979 an empty and derelict tug hull was purchased and rebuilding started. The tug was later found to be originally motor tug "Barking" built in 1928 by Jas. Pollock Sons & Co. Ltd. at Faversham, yard no. 1304. "Barking" is now a steam tug, is part of the VIC 96 Trust, and is fully operational. Ian joined the VIC 96 Trust on its formation and was one of the relocation crew on the Maryport to Chatham voyage in 2009.
In 1950 he purchased his first full size engine for restoration, Foden D type tractor No. 13358 followed in 1953 by Sentinel SD4 waggon 8448 and Ruston No.6 steam navvy No. 887 in 1968. All of these were restored to working order.
Then in 1979 an empty and derelict tug hull was purchased and rebuilding started. The tug was later found to be originally motor tug "Barking" built in 1928 by Jas. Pollock Sons & Co. Ltd. at Faversham, yard no. 1304. "Barking" is now a steam tug, is part of the VIC 96 Trust, and is fully operational. Ian joined the VIC 96 Trust on its formation and was one of the relocation crew on the Maryport to Chatham voyage in 2009.
Ron Bright (deceased)
Ron was born of a non-seafaring family and first learnt to sail on the Norfolk Broads at the age of 21 i.e. as soon as he was fit enough to do so after three years in the Army as an ammunitions store man, from which he was discharged with serious injuries.
Ron has sailed extensively ever since, on inland waters in Ireland, Scotland & England (including narrow boats on canals), on the North Sea, the Channel, Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. As a member of Medway Yacht Club since 1978 he served on many committees and was Cruiser Class Captain for seven years, cruisers being the largest class with nearly 200 members at one time. This also meant him being Rally Master and guardian of those who had never been out of the river Medway before.
After giving up his 7 berth yacht for health reasons Ron joined the VIC 96 team one week later, as the 9th or 10th member and has enjoyed all the activities which followed, including every moment of the five weeks on board for the homeward voyage from Maryport in July 2009.
Ron has sailed extensively ever since, on inland waters in Ireland, Scotland & England (including narrow boats on canals), on the North Sea, the Channel, Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. As a member of Medway Yacht Club since 1978 he served on many committees and was Cruiser Class Captain for seven years, cruisers being the largest class with nearly 200 members at one time. This also meant him being Rally Master and guardian of those who had never been out of the river Medway before.
After giving up his 7 berth yacht for health reasons Ron joined the VIC 96 team one week later, as the 9th or 10th member and has enjoyed all the activities which followed, including every moment of the five weeks on board for the homeward voyage from Maryport in July 2009.
