New dawn for trading boats

SECOND AGE OF SAIL

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At 6 am on 11 July, the bascules of London’s Tower Bridge rised to welcome the 1916 gaff schooner De Gallant to London. Half an hour later, having turned at London Bridge, she returned beneath Tower Bridge and entered St Katharine Docks to moor and disembark cargo, the first such happening there in 52 years. This is the idea of New Dawn Traders, who launched the project in 2012 to distribute produce in an environmentally conscious and sustainable way that connects producer, distributor and consumer in a more harmonious and fulfilling way than modern transportation.

At St Katharine Docks, distribution of the cargo of olive oil, olives, coffee, chocolate, almonds, sea salt, pulses and wine from ethical producers in France, Portugal and the Caribbean, was managed by 'Raybel Charters', a link in the co-operative chain. Customers who had ordered in advance collected in person or had it delivered by bicycle, and there was some left to buy directly off the boat.