We did it!
Toby Butler raised £1,365 from 60 supporters
or
Start your own crowdfunding page
Closed 01/05/2017
Iʼve raised £1,365 to save the narrowboats at Tonbridge Boatyard
- Tonbridge, United Kingdom
- Funded on Monday, 1st May 2017
Don't have time to donate right now?
Story
This campaign is to raise funds to prevent the eviction of 14 people and their narrowboats from Tonbridge.
Plans have been made to build a series of multi-storey houses along the bank of the River Medway overlooking Tonbridge park. The boatyard is the home to fourteen narrow boat owners, many of whom live aboard. They are being evicted from the mooring by the Hampshire-based landowner in a court case hearing on the 13th March, 2017. Currently they do not have legal representation.
The boatyard is much loved by the people of Tonbridge and over 2,000 people have signed a petition to stop the development. There has been a boatyard and boat hire business on Barden Road since at least 1930 and it still has a slipway that is still used for boat repairs and maintenance, a useful resource for river users in the upper Medway.
Narrowboats have been moored here for decades and the boat owners live in a peaceful community which provides low-cost housing and they look after the gardens, sheds and brightly painted boats that give this area such a distinctive character. The largest boat was built in Tonbridge.
The boats are ideal low impact living spaces for a stretch of river that can flood dramatically in winter. They are a community asset enjoyed by dog walkers, children, local residents and visitors who take boat trips and hire rowing boats to visit this interesting stretch of river.
Practically there are no other boatyards in Tonbridge and residential moorings are almost impossible to find. The residents will be made homeless. Tonbridge will lose the historic boatyard, its picturesque narrow boats and the low-income and environmentally friendly and flexible housing that they provide.
This fund will contribute to the legal costs of the people living on the houseboats who are being evicted, along with the boats, in the forthcoming legal proceedings. Any remaining funds will be donated to the Tonbridge Calling community festival. See updates below for more info.
Updates
9
- 8 years ago
Toby Butler
8 years agoThank you for all the support, as soon as the money arrives from justgiving we will pass on to boaters with legal costs.
Share this update to help us raise more
- 8 years ago
Toby Butler
8 years agoI understand that the landowners are claiming £23,000 of costs and there will be another hearing to decide on this. An appeal is also a possibility. So further legal advice and perhaps representation will be needed.
Share this update to help us raise more
- 8 years ago
Toby Butler
8 years agoFrom this...
Share this update to help us raise more
- 8 years ago
Toby Butler
8 years ago... to this.
Share this update to help us raise more
Toby Butler started crowdfunding
Leave a message of support
Supporters
60
Anonymous
Apr 10, 2017
£20.00
Steve Jackson
Apr 3, 2017
All the best
£10.00
Anonymous
Mar 18, 2017
Just a small donation to help, from an old school friend of Becky and Mick.
£20.00
DANIEL COLBORNE
Mar 13, 2017
£5.00
Anonymous
Mar 13, 2017
Anonymous
Mar 12, 2017
Katherine Killick
Mar 12, 2017
£20.00
What is crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is a new type of fundraising where you can raise funds for your own personal cause, even if you're not a registered charity.
The page owner is responsible for the distribution of funds raised.
Great people make things happen
Do you know anyone in need or maybe want to help a local community cause?
Create you own page and donʼt let that cause go unfunded!
About CrowdfundingAbout the fundraiser
Toby Butler
Tonbridge, United Kingdom
Dr Toby Butler is Reader in History and Heritage Studies at the University of East London. He has lived in Tonbridge for most of his life and has served as Chairman of Tonbridge Round Table. He was responsible for getting the outdoor table tennis tables built in Tonbridge Park.