At the recent Whitstable Boatyard Reception, the Charity was pleased to present Peter Kalopsidiotis with a gift in recognition of his contribution as a Volunteer to the restoration of the Gamecock. The Charity has also proposed to National Historic Ships that Peter should receive the National Volunteer of the Year Award. The citation read as follows. Peter joined Whitstable Maritime’s restoration team in 2019 when the Gamecock was lying on a mud berth in Faversham Creek where she stayed throughout the pandemic. It quickly became apparent that he was keen to learn new skills and was soon leading the small group that kept her dry and protected the craft when the wind and high tides threatened to drive her ashore.
In 2020 the Charity persuaded Whitstable Harbour Board to allow the Gamecock’s restoration to continue on the East Quay of the harbour. Peter organised a successful tow (photo) from the top of Faversham Creek which involved judging the tides in Faversham and Whitstable.
Once installed on the Quay, under the direction of our new Shipwright, Peter’s team of Volunteers set about removing the rotten timbers and fittings (photo). He forged a good relationship with the Shipwright and it has become an effective partnership with Peter helping to establish a small boatyard and workshop extending to neighbouring premises provided by Brett Aggregates (photo). Peter’s ‘hands-on’ approach involves him being at the site several times a week.
Peter has joined the Board of Whistable Maritime as the Vice-Chair responsible for the restoration project and actively participates in the purchase of materials with the Shipwright, including visits to the local sawmills who now source our oak, larch and pine. Currently they are stress-testing trunnels and researching sails and rigging.
Clearly, many have contributed to the restoration and continue to do so, but Peter has become a key Volunteer in the process and hopefully will become a member of the crew when Gamecock returns to the water in 2025.
