Founded in 1968 by Jim Breaden with support from his great friend Peter Larkin at what is now known as ‘Little Venice Country Park, Yalding’.
The whole idea was for people with boats to gather and enjoy the Beautiful River Medway. The ethos of the club that continues to this day Is to promote a courteous, friendly and professional approach to all river users and being known as the oldest and renowned the friendliest club on the river, something that all the members strive to uphold with the support of a very proactive Committee.
The club is very much a family based group which has a strip of land for all its Members to use throughout the year located down stream of Bow Bridge Marina (the home of the club throughout many decades after Jim sold the Marina). This allows its current members to use the club land whenever they choose. There is always a good turnout of members for the work parties that are arranged to maintain the land for the benefit of everyone using it.
For the last 10 years the club has been so well supported that a waiting list is often in place for new members to join.
The HYCC still holds the very prestigious Mayor of Maidstone Court of Survey Cruise where the Mayor and their invited Dignitaries are taken on a trip by a dedicated group of members to count the Swans within the Mayors Jurisdiction. As this unique event dates back over 405 years to James the 1st who bequeathed the ownership of the Swans on the Medway to the towns Mayor. A unique occurrence as all other Swans in the UK are under the ownership of the current King. The Mayors office work closely with the HYCC every year to make this event a huge success (the extended history of this is listed further down the page).
The club organises many events throughout the year for its members. The HYCC were instrumental in setting up ‘Rogers Regatta’ as musical event to remember Roger of Bow Bridge Marina who we sadly lost some years ago. This event is now a huge success with many boats taking part in a sail past to remember Roger and all those who have influenced the River that have been sadly lost. After the sail past a party is held on the club land to celebrate our River. The HYCC thank all clubs and individuals who help to support this event. Working closely with the MRUA (Medway River Users Association) the club attends meetings to help maintain and promote the future of the Medway for all its users.

Under a charter of Queen Elizabeth the 1st, dated 4th December 1559, the Queens Town of Maidstone was granted liberties in the river Medway extending from East Farleigh to Hawkwood in Burham. A court was held annually to inspect the condition off the river Medway, to redress any disorders and remove any nuisances. The corporation used to attend in their barges what was then called The Mayors Fishing Court.

These liberties augmented in a charter of King James 1, dated 12th July 1619, which granted the privilege of keeping swans and cygnets on this stretch of the Medway and marking them. From time to time, since 1559, the mayor has traversed the river between these limits and held a Court of Survey.

The duties are listed in Burghmote Book 3, under the date 2nd May 1629, amongst “Additions of our liberties”.
                                “To have liberty to keep Swans from East Farleigh Bridge 2 Hawkwood and Swan mark and alter and change the same at our pleasure and to seise and mark all white Swans as our own not lawfully marked and to preserve them straying and retake and rehave them.”

The practise was revived in 1975 and the Mayor of Maidstone’s Court of Survey Cruise has largely been held annually since. A Swan Master was appointed and the Swans are now marked by means of a numbered ring put on their leg.

Since 1981 Hampstead and Yalding cruising club have organised the event and hold the honour of doing so each year for the Mayor and their guests.

History of the River Medway

The River Medway is an iconic river that rises in High Weald, Sussex and runs 113 kilometres across the south east of England. It continues to flow through Tonbridge and Maidstone before emptying into the Thames Estuary near Sheerness. 
The river has witnessed countless historical moments over the years. Here are just a few of them.

Origin of the name Medway

Also known as Medwege, River Medway was given the name Vaga by the ancient Britons. Later, the Saxons added the syllable mad, meaning “middle”, as the river ran through the middle of the kingdom of Kent.  

Historical value

Areas around Aylesford are notable Stone Age sites, and home to a group of Neolithic chamber tombs. There are also bronze age ornaments that have been found along the river, as well as pre-Roman Iron age finds. 

The river was a site of historical significance during several wartime moments. Specifically, the Roman invasion of Britain which was named Battle of the Medway, and the Second Anglo-Dutch War in 1667 named Raid on the Medway. 

River Medway played a key role in the history and development of communities. For example, over 200 sites exist along the Medway where the river’s power was harnessed to mill corn, make paper, generate electricity and pump water. One of these mills is still working for commercial trade today. 

In a cultural sense, the river has been a source of inspiration and success. Local man George Gilbert wrote a song called Medway Flows Softly, the 1999 film The Mummy used the site for filming and the river hosts the annual Maidstone River Festival every year.