Boaters' Christian Fellowship

Boat Name: Jubilee

I grew up in East London and Essex, the youngest of three children. I went to Sunday School as a child ,and parade services as a Brownie and Girl Guide. I was confirmed when I was 13 but it wasn’t until two years later, that I really began to understand (through the witness of a school friend) what Jesus had done for me by dying on the cross, rising again and bringing me the forgiveness I needed.

One evening in 1974, as I prayed quietly by myself, I asked Jesus to be my saviour, Lord and friend and He promised He would be with me all my life. Despite my many failings and doubts, He continues to fill me with His Holy Spirit and remain my faithful, utterly dependable, rock.

When I met John in 1979, I was in my final year of training to be a primary school teacher, a job I enjoyed for many years. When we married, John worked for the BBC in Milton Keynes and belonged to the Inland Waterways Section of the BBC Club.

It was on board the Club’s narrowboat, Savoy Hill, that I had my first boating experiences. Two other couples joined us (five out of the six of us were novices) and we cruised the tidal Thames ring. They were crazy days, but we were young with very little fear and we had a wonderful time. Over subsequent years, we moved boats for boatyards, cruised Savoy Hill again and hired boats.

We then put boating on hold for about twelve years when our two children arrived and were growing up. We eventually bought a share in Shadow, a boat we enjoyed for ten years. Finally, in 2012, we bought NB Jubilee. Our own boat at last! Since retiring, we have cruised to the furthest south, east and west of the connected waterways; the north is still on our to-do list.

Belonging to Boaters’ Christian Fellowship is a great joy. I was on the BCF committee for 13 years, for ten of which I had the privilege of being the Chair. The BCF family is made up of people who love Jesus, love each other and love the waterways. I praise God for the fellowship we share and the opportunities we have to share God’s love with the people we meet.