Dudley Courtman 1934 to 2018

Please help the Chelmer Canal Trust to raise funds to install a permanent memorial to Dudley Courtman.

If you knew Dudley you will know how much we owe to him. You will know of the enthusiasm he had to be on the water and of the huge amounts of time he devoted encouraging and enabling others to do so. You will know of his commitment to the Chelmer Valley and to keeping the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation as a valuable recreational resource. Without Dudley starting what became the Chelmer Canal Trust and him organising the first Weedbusting Work Parties, the River Chelmer would potentially be un-navigable today. Dudley was a prime-mover in getting the barge the Heybay in use as a base for inner city young people from Newham when on courses in the area. He ensured that a fit for purpose Canoe Store was constructed at Heybridge Basin and it was Dudleys work that led to canoe landing stages being installed along the Navigation. Dudley sat on a number of committees and attended numerous meetings to ensure that the value of the River Chelmer was acknowledged. Dudley would be thrilled to know that real progress is being made towards the creation of a link from the Navigation to the citys rivers, another initiative he backed although hed possibly also be reminding people of his warnings that new bridges in the city centre were being built too low!

To ensure Dudley is remembered appropriately we plan to install a strong bench along the towpath, beside the River Chelmer, in his memory. Sited near a part of the river we know Dudley used and enjoyed, not only will it be what we believe is an appropriate memorial to Dudley, it will also fittingly allow others to sit and take in the views along the Navigation that Dudley was passionate about protecting. Dudleys son and daughter are both supportive of this initiative.

In order to cover the cost of the bench, a base, and its installation we are hoping to raise the grand total of £800.

Please consider donating to this appeal and supporting the memory of a person to whom we owe so much.

Thank you.