We are Sailing: model boat enthusiast wins fight to use local pond for hobby

Stephen Best had hoped to sail a boat on the Crammer pond with his elderly father, and rekindle his memories from years gone by.

His request was scuppered on safety grounds, which he appealed, leading to a debate at this week’s meeting of Devizes Town Council.

Council officers had feared that sailing toy boats would “encourage others to similarly use the pond in a less organised way” or that the density of water “could prove fatal if anyone fell in whilst trying to hook out a toy boat.”

Mr Best said: “I’d thought I should ask permission first, and was surprised when I was told no and read the reasons why. For one, there’s no life vests or safety equipment around the Crammer if it is so dangerous.

"You’ve got a busy street and playpark right next door.”

The issue of whether or not to allow boats on the Crammer is, in Devizes, an age old argument.

“I do remember back in the dim and distant past, when there was quite a furore about boats on the Crammer.” recalled mayor Chris Gay in the meeting. That was way back in the seventies.”

The disagreements over the boats got so severe, that on one occasion, a man who lived in a cottage opposite lost patience with the electric boats that were causing disruption to his TV aerial.

The Crammer

One night, he even went out with half bricks to sink some.

“It was a bit of a free for all”, explained town clerk Simon Fisher, who said that the lack of management on the Green made it hard to police the Crammer.

Fears were also raised that the layout of the Crammer, partially bound by St James Church, would not be suitable for sail boats.

But Cllr Andy Geddes said: “ In my experience in bodies of water elsewhere, wildlife appears to coexist perfectly happily with boating and other model traffic.

“The canal is a haven for wildlife despite the fact that we have motorized canal boats puttering up and down there all the time and canoeists and the like.”

He recalled events held on the water, such as the 2013 Crammer Constellation, which involved a floating fire and pyrotechnical installation.

Mr Geddes added: “The whole surface of the Crammer was covered with lighted candles. We had a chat with a man with an illuminated fish on his head who was marching around by moonlight.”

Councillor Jane Burton also recalled the fact she, and her brother, used to sail boats on the pond.

“I must be a rebel, as I’ve done it, I’ve sailed boats on the Crammer,” she said. “I don’t think this is any more dangerous than walking across the canal towpath, where you’re more likely to get people falling in rather than falling in the Crammer.

"And if we go back to our youth, I think we’ve all done that.”

The decision was made to allow Mr Best to use his sailing boat as part of organised events. This is to ensure that organisers can control the health and safety of the sailings.

After six months the decision will be reviewed. People can contact the council to sail as part of organised events or regattas. Motorised boats will not be allowed in potential events.

Mr Best hopes to organise a sailing for World Pond Yacht Day on May 30. He added: Everyone I’ve spoken to has been in favour.”

A view of the Crammer in years gone by

He still maintains the pond should be free to use and easily accessible for all age groups - not just for organised events.

He added: “I don’t think dog walkers are restricted to particular pet exercise times, nor are picnickers, cyclists, joggers or playpark users, even though a number of these participants do unfortunately cause a nuisance or mess by not clearing up after their pets, leaving litter or riding too fast.”

Cllr Geddes also feared the decision would stifle any sort of sailing at all.

Speaking after the meeting, he added: “It’s like expecting trainspotters to cause disruption to railways - it’s simply not in the nature of the people who would be sailing boats to cause bother.

“The last problems were virtually from half a century ago and as I said in the meeting, I felt some of the arguments against this were contrived.”

Councillor Giraud-Saunders, chairman of the recreation and properties committee that made the decision, said: “These regatta meetings would be limited to sail power.

“Mr Best would have to undertake policing to make sure properly stewarded for the potential of toppling into the Crammer, which I think most people would like to avoid.”

The Crammer

A variety of explanations have been given where the name of the Crammer originates from.

Dr Lorna Haycock in her Guide to Devizes wrote that it stemmed from the German “kramer”, meaning tradesman. The German merchants used to visit the town and set up their stalls on the small green next to the pond, hence the name.

A night time car rally on the frozen Crammer

The pond is thought also to be the origin of the Moonrakers story involving the moon and excise men.

The story goes back to the 18th century when smuggling was rife and there were many secret routes through Wiltshire from the coast.

It is said local people had hidden contraband barrels of French brandy from customs officers in the Crammer.

While trying to retrieve it at night, they were caught by the revenue men.

Their excuse was, by pointing to the moon's reflection, that they were trying to rake in a round cheese.

The legend gave way to the name Wiltshire people are still referred to as today: “Moonrakers.”