Whatever happened to the baggies barge?

[stargazer_1962]

Just out of the blue I remember this being a thing.
Never went on it and never saw it but I assume it hasn't run for years as i can only find historical links going back to 2014

https://www.wba.co.uk/news/2014/janu...-baggies-barge

[kettering_baggie]

Ah, the Baggies Barge, good memories of that; I was one of the ‘sailors’ on those voyages! They were great fun with a great bunch of people. My memory on the subject may be somewhat hazy, not surprising considering the amount of booze that was consumed, but they were, I believe, subsidised by the Club and it was discontinued when Lai took over. Maybe, though, the barge operators increased the cost too much? Geoff and Sue were the main organisers for WBA-MAD to hire the boat, which was well stocked with Bathams beer; Sue did a grand job with producing the buffet.

We usually met at the Wetherspoons in the now demolished building near to the Hall of Memory, before moving on to the Pieces of Eight (I think it was called), another ‘Spoons on Broad St. it was then down Gas St to board the barge, for the hour and a quarter voyage to the disembarkation point and 15 minute walk to the ground. Any remaining Bathams would be consumed on the return journey!

On one particular trip, the gearbox on the barge failed and we had to be towed by another, small barge; it was very slow and most of us missed kick off but we were ‘well oiled’! On that return journey we were so slow that we were overtaken by a woman pushing a pram along the towpath!

They were good days, drink food and always a raffle. One trip had a booby prize of a Wolves shirt! Seems like a lifetime ago!

[jcbALBION]

Ah, the Baggies Barge, good memories of that; I was one of the ?sailors? on those voyages! They were great fun with a great bunch of people. My memory on the subject may be somewhat hazy, not surprising considering the amount of booze that was consumed, but they were, I believe, subsidised by the Club and it was discontinued when Lai took over. Maybe, though, the barge operators increased the cost too much? Geoff and Sue were the main organisers for WBA-MAD to hire the boat, which was well stocked with Bathams beer; Sue did a grand job with producing the buffet.

We usually met at the Wetherspoons in the now demolished building near to the Hall of Memory, before moving on to the Pieces of Eight (I think it was called), another ?Spoons on Broad St. it was then down Gas St to board the barge, for the hour and a quarter voyage to the disembarkation point and 15 minute walk to the ground. Any remaining Bathams would be consumed on the return journey!

On one particular trip, the gearbox on the barge failed and we had to be towed by another, small barge; it was very slow and most of us missed kick off but we were ?well oiled?! On that return journey we were so slow that we were overtaken by a woman pushing a pram along the towpath!

They were good days, drink food and always a raffle. One trip had a booby prize of a Wolves shirt! Seems like a lifetime ago!

I've been on the baggie barge there were 5 /6 off us from Lichfield and Burntwood star.... great day and can't remember a watching the game... Used to be a some what fixed raffle ie wolves shirt and you had to wear it.... Then a villa shirt and everybody singing short on the vile, then walk the plank.... Great times

[paula_m]

How weird this post should appear today as I was sorting out the many photos from my phone into albums & came across the ones I took on the barge launch day. If I can figure out how to post them on here I will do.

[Prando]

I certainly remember it. I think I went 3 times.
The 2nd time I went with ?She who must be obeyed? The attendees were virtually all from this board. Coseleybaggiebird (Sue) and Baggieboygeoff organised it and Coseley supplied some food.
I indeed remember the time when the barge skipper refused to wait on the return to B?ham journey. I can still see baggieboygeoff running down the towpath with others. We managed to persuade him to pull over and allow the latecomers to board.
Also remember being stuck/grounded in the mud as the barge endeavoured to turn around before we could disembark. There was a danger of us missing the KO.
One of the matches was vs Liverpool?we lost
PS I also have some photos somewhere?