Passenger Ship Website - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards Home - Recent Updates - Search - Copyright Information - Contact Simplon - Contact JGF Passenger Boats

This website has no connection with any shipping company, cruise line, boat operator or other commercial organisation

 

 

JGF Passenger Boats

 

 

This page is devoted to the Walton-on-Thames excursion boat operators JGF Passenger Boats.

This is one a of series of Simplon Postcards pages devoted to River Thames Excursion Boats

 

F&B Boats

JGF Pleasure Boats started as F&B Boats of Kingston in 1970, formed by JG French and RJ Balcombe, initially using the steam launch Consuta (converted to diesel) and the Kingfisher III. Consuta was replaced by the Richmond Gem in 1974, and The Monarch I entered the fleet the following year. Viking M joined the fleet in 1976, followed by Skylark X the following year. In 1977, the two original owners split, JG French forming JGF Passenger Boats for the 1978 season, taking Viking M and The Monarch I. Richmond Gem was sold to Abingdon Marine (M Perkins) in 1979, and Skylark X left the following year. They were replaced by Alpha III of 1975 (ex-Windsor Consort of Alfred Jacobs and Windsor Boats) and Beta III (ex- PJ & RF Jackson and then Thompson's Launches) of 1925. Alpha III returned to Windsor Boats, reverting to Windsor Consort and F&B Boats had ceased trading by 1985.

 

JGF Pleasure Boats

In 1977 the two original owners split, JG French forming JGF Passenger Boats with Viking M and The Monarch I. The new Walton Monarch (120 passengers) joined the fleet in 1981, remaining in the 2007 fleet. The Walton Jester (1977) joined the fleet in the mid-1980s, previously the Windsor Jester of Windsor Boats (who were taken over by French Brothers in 1990). The fleet remained The Monarch I, Walton Monarch and Walton Jester until the 1993 when the new Walton Minstrel (80 passengers) joined the fleet. The last addition to the fleet was the Walton Lady, previously the Tideway Venture (1975), which became the largest boat in the fleet carrying 125 passengers. In 2000, the Walton Minstrel was sold to Parr Boat Hire who renamed her Tilbury Hope, replacing an earlier boat of the same name.

 

The 2007 fleet consisted of Walton Lady (1975), Walton Jester (1977) and Walton Monarch (1981).

Public trips by JGF consist of 45 minute trips from Shepperton. This is a mainly circular cruise, departing from Cowey Sale, Walton Bridge. The boat passes through the Desborough Channel to D'Oyly Carte Island and returns via the meandering old river, past Shepperton Manor, picturesque bungalows and gardens. After passing the boarding point, the boat continues through Walton before turning at the Swan Public House for the short return journey.

 

The public trips are generally available between Easter and 1st October on the following days:- Saturdays & School holiday weekdays from 2.30pm; Sundays & Public holidays from 11.30 am. In addition to the public trips, a wide range of special trips, group trips and charters is available on the three boats in their fleet. For details see:- www.jgf-boats.co.uk

 

Contact: www.jgf-boats.co.uk

 

Ships on this Page:-

The Monarch I (built: 1923 - JGF: 1977-1993)

Viking M (F&B Boats: 1976-1989 - built 1944 )

Walton Lady (built: 1975 - JGF: 1997- )

Walton Jester (built: 1977- JGF: 1986- )

Walton Minstrel (built: 1993 - JGF: 1993-2000)

Walton Monarch (built: 1981 - JGF: 1981- )

 

JGF Publicity

 

Thames River Boats Pages:-

River Thames Excursion Boats - Thames Header Page - Full List of Companies

Colliers Launches - Westminster-Kew-Hampton Court services - Thames River Boats

Ed Langley - Westminster-Kew-Hampton Court services - Thames River Boats

French Brothers - services between Maidenhead and Hampton Court, plus Thames charters

Joseph Mears - Westminster-Kew-Hampton Court services 1907-1945 - passed to Thames Launches

King Cruises - Westminster-Kew-Hampton Court services - Thames River Boats

Maynard Launches - Westminster-Kew-Hampton Court services - Thames River Boats

Turk Launches - Richmond-Kingston-Hampton Court services plus Thames charters

Parr Boat Hire - Kingston-Hampton Court services

www.jgf-boats.co.uk - official JGF website

 

Associated Pages:-

UK Excursion Ships

Ferry Postcards

Cruise Ship Postcards

Ocean Liner Postcards

Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates

Simplon Postcards - Home Page

 

References:-

Royal River Highway: Written by Frank L. Dix - published David & Charles 1984

Trip Out Guides - Written and published by G.P.Hamer - various editions from 1977 to 2005 consulted

Trip Out Guides are available from Geoffrey Hamer, PO Box 485, Southall, UB1 9BH

Search This Website:-

powered by FreeFind  

 

 

 

 

JGF Passenger Boats

 

Viking M

(JGF: 1977-1989 - built 1944 )

 

Viking M (ex-Viking 1) served with Woods & Cole, W.T.Metcalf, Premier Passenger Boats, Tideway Passenger Boats, and JGF Passenger Boats before joining Turks Launches. Viking M remained in the 2006 fleet, although she has been out of use for some years.

 

 

Viking M out of use at Kingston in Turkd ownership

Photo: © Ian Boyle, Kingston, 24th June 2006.

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Monarch I

(JGF: 1977-1993 - built: 1923)

 

JGF Pleasure Boats started as F& B Boats of Kingston in 1970, formed by JG French and RJ Balcombe, initially using the steam launch Consuta (converted to diesel) and the Kingfisher III. Consuta was replaced by the Richmond Gem in 1974, and The Monarch I entered the fleet the following year. In 1977 the two original owners split, JG French forming JGF Passenger Boats, taking Viking M and The Monarch I. She was replaced by the Walton Minstrel in 1993

 

 

Judges postcard C6043X of The Monarch I at Walton Bridge, posted 1981

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walton Jester

(built: 1977- JGF: 1986- )

 

The Walton Jester (1977) joined the fleet in the mid-1980s, previously the Windsor Jester of Windsor Boats (who were taken over by French Brothers in 1990). She remains in the 2007 fleet.

 

Walton Jester at Hampton Court

Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th August 2007

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

 

Walton Jester at Hampton Court

Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th August 2007

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

 

Walton Jester at Hampton Court

Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th August 2007

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

 

Walton Jester at Hampton Court

Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th August 2007

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

 

Walton Jester at Hampton Court

Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th August 2007

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

 

Walton Jester at Walton

Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th August 2007

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

 

Walton Jester at Walton

Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th August 2007

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

 

Walton Jester at Walton

Photo: © www.jgf-boats.co.uk

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walton Minstrel

(built: 1993 - JGF: 1977-2000)

 

The new Walton Minstrel (80 passengers) joined the fleet in 1993. In 2000, the Walton Minstrel was sold to Parr Boat Hire who renamed her Tilbury Hope, replacing an earlier boat of the same name.

 

 

Walton Minstrel as Tilbury Hope with Parr Boat Hire at Hampton Court

Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th June 2006.

Click to open larger window in a new window

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walton Monarch

(built: 1981 - JGF: 1981- )

 

The new Walton Monarch (120 passengers) joined the fleet in 1981. She remains in the 2007 fleet.

 

 

Walton Monarch at Walton

Photo: © www.jgf-boats.co.uk

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

Walton Monarch at Walton

Photo: © www.jgf-boats.co.uk

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walton Lady

(built: 1975 - JGF: 1997- )

 

The last addition to the fleet was the Walton Lady, previously the Tideway Venture (1975) of M.Tugs Ltd and Tideway Passenger Boats, which became the largest boat in the fleet carrying 125 passengers. She remains in the 2007 fleet.

 

 

Walton Lady between Kingston and Hampton Court

Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th June 2006.

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

Walton Lady between Kingston and Hampton Court

Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th June 2006.

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

Walton Lady between Kingston and Hampton Court

Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th June 2006.

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

Walton Lady between Kingston and Hampton Court

Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th June 2006.

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

Walton Lady between Kingston and Hampton Court

Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th June 2006.

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

Walton Lady at Walton

Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th August 2007

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

Walton Lady at Walton

Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th August 2007

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

Walton Lady at Walton

Photo: © www.jgf-boats.co.uk

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

 

 

 

 

JGF Publicity

 

Photos: © www.jgf-boats.co.uk

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

 

 

River Thames Header Page

UK Excursion Ships - Ferry Postcards - Cruise Ship Postcards - Ocean Liner Postcards

Top of Page - Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates - Simplon Postcards - Home Page

 

   

 

©1999-2007 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards (all pages on web site)
All Rights Reserved

 

 

Free Web Counter
Times viewed since 06/05/2007: