Goodbye Portaloo

Main Aim

After ten years of using a portaloo this will finally end in 2019, when we can provide indoor toilets & shower facilities for the rowers & sailors on the River Tamar, with top priority for our disabled rowers & sailors. This will transform the weather-tight boathouse into a fully functioning facility.       

Brief History

In 2009 the local sailing and gig rowing clubs at Weir Quay on the isolated Bere peninsula became homeless. Despite this major setback the two clubs managed to continue to operate on an ad hoc basis from temporary facilities, so that 300 or so local people, aged from 14 to 85, could go on participating in watersports. Meanwhile in 2010 WQWH was set up with the aim of establishing a permanent community owned boathouse and yard at Weir Quay.

The Boathouse project had to overcome both historic industrial & natural barriers as Weir Quay is situated in the Tamer Valley AONB & the Cornwall & Devon Mining World Heritage site. Transport links to the isolated peninsula are limited, coupled the difficult geology of the steep-sided valley and the need to be adjacent to the slipway at Weir Quay, which provides the only public access to the River Tamar in West Devon.

After 10 years of hard work and tremendous support from the local community, who have given their time, expertise, held fund-raising events & made donations we now have a permanent home with a boatyard and boathouse. The only thing missing now are toilets and showers which will complete this wonderful facility for the local community.

The installing of indoor toilet & shower facilities & waving " the Portaloo Goodbye!" is a symbolic end of a 10-year community-led development project, which has delivered a bespoke community facility in the rurally isolated Bere Ferrers peninsula thus securing the future of watersports for another 50-years at least. This high quality facility has been delivered in three distinct phase as & when the finance became available:-

•  Phase 1 - The purchase of a site adjacent to the slipway & the obtaining Planning Permission  including satisfying the  AONB, Natural England & Environment Agency.
• Phase 2 - The Big Dig - creating a level site approximately 3m above the road providing a suitable platform for a boat & gig park. A gentle slope provided easy access for boats, gigs & especially disabled people.
• Phase 3 - The Boathouse build  designed to meet the specific needs of the sailing & gig clubs. Officially opened in September 2018 but needing the Fitting Out to be completed.
• The total cost of the Watersports Hub to-date is around £210,000,raised through grants, donations from the community & individuals, fund-raising events. 

Goodbye Portaloo! Project

We need funding to fit out the toilet & shower facilities planned for the building, which transform it from a weather-tight secure shell into a fully functioning facility. The absolute top priority is to fit-out the disabled facilities. 

Stage 1 Disabled Toilet & Shower Facility  will cost around £3,250 comprising:-

                Duraflake Wall Coating

                Disabled Toilet

                Disabled Shower Cubicle

                Hand Basin

                Emergency Pull-Cord

                Disabled Doors

We are seeking to raise £2,150 through Crowdfunder towards this much needed facility.

Stage 2  Fitting Out  the Toilet & Shower Facilities for Ladies & Men

 In the event that we are very fortunate and our Project is overscribed the extra funding  will be used to fit out the remaing facilities as planned, that is:-

                5 Shower Cubicles

                2 Toilets including handbasin

                Hot Water System

which we anticipate will cost around £6,500.