Category Archives: Blogroll

December 1, 2003 · 9:35 pm

Links to Relevant Websites

Last updated on: October 11th 2009
(the latest items are marked thus: [NEW] or [UPDATED])

Jump to:
Arts, Accommodation, Discussion/Blogs, Events, Locations,
Nancy Blackett (incl. Ellen MacArthur, Helen Tew), Organisations,
Arthur Ransome/Swallows & Amazons
– or scroll down the page…

The Arts

Claudia Myatt – Marine artist, author and illustrator (artist for the Nancy Blackett Trust)
Eastern Angles – Touring theatre company producing “We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea” (2008)
Sea Shanties (‘Bitter End’) – Sea shanties and relevant resources in the United Kingdom

Accommodation

3 Orwell Place and Warreners Barns (Chelmondiston, Suffolk)
Alma Cottage (Pin Mill, Suffolk)
Bank Ground Farm – stay in the house that featured as ‘Holly Howe’ in “Swallows and Amazons” (Coniston, Cumbria)
Buttermans (Broke Hall, Nacton, Suffolk)
School House (Chelmondiston, Suffolk)

Discussion/Blogs

Chelmondiston Forum – local message board for Chelmondiston and Pin Mill
East Coast Rivers Forum – Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex coastal forum
If Not Duffers… – blog with essays and comments about Arthur Ransome’s works and locations
Great Northern? – blog with essays and comments about Arthur Ransome’s politics
Norfolk Broads Forum – regional message board for the Norfolk Broads
Shotley Peninsula Yahoo Group – e-mail-based discussion group for the Shotley peninsula
Swallows and Amazons Fan Community – Livejournal-based blog and comments
TARboard – The Arthur Ransome message board (for general discussion on all things Arthur Ransome).
UK.REC.SAILING – Google newsgroup for UK sailing discussion
Yachting and Boating World Forums – message boards for Yachting Monthly and Classic Boat magazines.

Events

Falmouth Week
International Festival of the Sea
Maritime Woodbridge
SeaBritain 2005
Swallows and Amazons for Ever! (NMMC Falmouth 2008)
Trafalgar 200

Locations
– East Coast

East Coast Rivers – local navigational information for the East Coast

– Pin Mill and the River Orwell

The Butt and Oyster – Pin Mill’s famous pub, immortalised in “We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea”
Chelmondiston – village website for Chelmondiston and Pin Mill
Chelmondiston Parish Council – local government for Chelmondiston and Pin Mill
Harry King & Sons – Pin Mill’s boat yard and boat builders
Multimap: Pin Mill – local map of Pin Mill, Chelmondiston and Woolverstone
Pin Mill Cruising – local instructor for the Royal Yachting Association
Pin Mill Sailing Club – official website
Pin Mill in Suffolk – local information about and a history of Pin Mill
Royal Harwich Yacht Club – official website
Stour and Orwell Estuaries: The Literary Orwell – a summary of the river’s literary associations
Stour and Orwell Estuaries: Pin Mill – a short introduction to Pin Mill
Suffolk by Sam: The River Orwell (BBC) – an essay and photos of the Orwell
Suffolk Interactive: Pin Mill (BBC) – 360° panoramic view of Pin Mill
UK History Historic Pubs: The Butt and Oyster – a brief history of the famous Pin Mill pub
Woolverstone Marina – official website

– Walton Backwaters, Hamford Water, Walton-on-the-Naze

BBC Essex/Coast: Walton Backwaters – a walk around the Backwaters
England: Walton Backwaters – Skipper2Skipper sailing guide
Walton-on-the-Naze – official town website

Nancy Blackett

The original Nancy Blackett Trust website
The previous Nancy Blackett Trust website
“Around the Coast” with Paul Heiney (Anglia TV – synopsis of the episode featuring the Nancy Blackett)
“Charlie’s Arun’s Darlin for the Day” (‘Littlehampton Today’ – article about Charlies Dimmock’s filming of Nancy Blackett and the River Arun for ‘River Walks’ – see below)
[UPDATED] “Fate and Nancy Blackett” – Michael Rines on how he saved Nancy Blackett and discovered Arthur Ransome
Google Blog Search: “Nancy Blackett” – the latest blogs mentioning Nancy Blackett
Hillyards – the builders of Nancy Blackett
“Maritime Woodbridge on crest of a wave” (‘East Anglian Daily Times’ – September 2007 )
“Nancy Blackett” – Wikipedia article about Nancy Blackett.
“Nancy Blackett Comes Home” (‘Practical Boat Owner’ – article about Nancy Blackett’s visit to Hillyards in Littlehampton in June 2005)
“Nancy’s Amazon Journey” (‘Littlehampton Today’ – article about Nancy Blackett’s visit to Hillyards in Littlehampton in June 2005)
“Ransome’s Book Comes to Life” (‘Suffolk Evening Star’ – article about “We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea” being staged during July and August 2008 – April 2008)
“River Walks” with Charlie Dimmock (Meridian TV series, featuring Nancy Blackett at Littlehampton – episode: ‘River Arun’, November 2005)
“Secret Water” – Wikipedia article about “Secret Water”, the sequel to “We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea”, featuring Nancy Blackett as Goblin.
Secret Waters: Reliving author Arthur Ransome’s literay journey along the Essex coast – to mark the 40th anniversary of Arthur Ransome’s death, Graham Hoyland goes sailing in waters chartered by author’s young adventurers. (The Independent on Sunday, 2nd June 2007)
“They Do Mean to Put to Sea” (‘Yachting Monthly’ – article about Nancy Blackett’s voyage to Flushing in 2003)
“We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea” – Wikipedia article about “We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea”, the first Arthur Ransome novel featuring Nancy Blackett as Goblin.

– Ellen MacArthur (patron of the Nancy Blackett Trust)

“Ellen MacArthur: Super Human” – Ellen’s interview with ‘E-Motion’
‘Ellen MacArthur/Team Ellen’ – Ellen’s official website and latest news
The Ellen MacArthur Trust
Ellen MacArthur Headlines – news from around the world about Ellen (Newsnow)

– Helen Tew (1912-2004) (former vice-president of the Nancy Blackett Trust)

“Father said no – but I’ve done it at last” (‘Daily Telegraph’ – January 26th 2001)
“Grandmother’s voyage of forgiveness” (‘Daily Telegraph’ – January 2nd 2001)
“Helen’s Atlantic triumph lays ghost to rest” (‘Daily Telegraph’ – July 6th 2001)
Obituary (‘Daily Telegraph’ – November 13th 2004)

Organisations

The Alliance of Literary Societies – of which the Trust is a member
The Cruising Association – of which the Trust is a member
East Coast Classics – East coast regional news and events of the Old Gaffers Association
Heritage Afloat – of which the Trust is a member
Hillyard Owners Association – for past, present and prospective owners of Hillyard yachts
Old Gaffers Association – association of gaff-rig sailing
The Royal Yachting Association – of which the Trust is a member

Arthur Ransome & Swallows and Amazons

All Things Ransome – repository and compendium of Arthur Ransome literary resources
The Arthur Ransome Society (TARS) – a charity founded to “celebrate and promote the life and works” of Arthur Ransome, the author of the world-famous ‘Swallows and Amazons’ series of books for children.
The Boats of “Swallows and Amazons” – a guide by Stuart Weir
Google Blog Search: “Arthur Ransome” – the latest blogs mentioning Arthur Ransome
Google News Search: “Arthur Ransome” – the latest news mentioning Arthur Ransome
Great Lives: John
Sergeant on Arthur Ransome (BBC Radio 4 – April 18th 2003)
The John Tusa Interviews: Tom Stoppard -transcript of an interview in which the playwright discusses one of his major childhood pasions and favourite author, Arthur Ransome (BBC Radio 3)
Open Country: Coniston Water (BBC Radio 4 – July 31st 2004) – an audio exploration
Ransome Notes and Ransome Boats (The Friday Team) – an exploration by Keith Kellett
Wikipedia: Arthur Ransome – entry in the internet encyclopaedia
Wikiquote: Arthur Ransome – entry in the internet encyclopaedia of quotations

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December 1, 2003 · 9:20 pm

Sail or Stay on the Nancy Blackett

Every year members of the Nancy Blackett Trust enjoy the unique experience of sailing and or staying overnight aboard a classic yacht which is also part of our literary heritage. We cater for all levels of experience, including none and all ages, especially the young.

What’s on Offer
There are opportunities for ‘taster’ trips, typically 1-2 hours, and normally associated with events such as our Annual General Meeting, and for longer passages (half-day, day, overnight, several days) where everyone participates as a member of Nancy Blackett’s crew. Overnight stays at selected events or places (without sailing) may also be arranged.

Booking for Sailing or Staying
You must be a member of the Nancy Blackett Trust in order to be eligible to to apply for a place on Nancy Blackett. For more information about becoming a member, please see Join the Nancy Blackett Trust.

If you are a member, you can make a booking with this Sail or Stay Booking Form (Rich Text or PDF File).

Benefits of Registering as Crew
A Crew Registration Form will be sent to you on joining, providing that you tick the ‘Sailing’ box on the Membership Form. It requests, amongst other cheerful information such as next of kin, details of your qualifications – don’t worry if you have none, there are opportunities for learning.

Registered sailors receive an additional occasional newsletter, ‘Sailing Nancy’, and the opportunity to bid for sailing slots within Nancy Blackett’s programme. Crewing is paid-for on a cost-contribution basis, at a standard daily rate.

Potential skippers, and mates, are always welcome. All applicants are carefully appraised by existing senior Skippers (who normally have Yachtmaster Instructor qualifications). We look for RYA Yachtmaster or Coastal Skipper qualifications, plus personal qualities including most importantly empathy with the boat and the Trust’s objectives. Skippers working with children are required to have CRB Disclosure. Applicant skippers are invited to get in touch, or attach a note when returning their Crew Registration forms.

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December 1, 2003 · 9:05 pm

Nancy Blackett: History

Nancy Blackett and Arthur Ransome

Nancy Blackett was Arthur Ransome’s favourite amongst the various cruising yachts he owned during his lifetime. He named her after his favourite character, the adventurous, irrepressible leader of the Amazon Pirates who first appears in ‘Swallows and Amazons’, and again in several of his other books for children.

She provided him with the inspiration for possibly his best book, ‘We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea’, widely regarded as a classic of both children’s and seafaring literature, and appears in it, lightly disguised as the Goblin, which plays a leading role in the book. Its action takes place almost entirely aboard the little boat, as the four children seek to sail her across the North Sea, at night, in a storm without any adult aboard. Ransome sailed the course himself in Nancy, and worked on the book aboard her, while living near Pin Mill on the River Orwell in Suffolk, where the story starts.

Nancy is immediately recognisable from Ransome’s description, illustrations and many key details:

“I say, just look down,”said Titty. They looked down into the cabin of the little ship, at blue mattresses on bunks on either side, at a little table with a chart tied down to it with string, at a roll of blankets in one of the bunks, at a foghorn in another, and at a heap of dirty plates and cups and spoons in a little white sink opposite the tiny galley, where a saucepan of water was simmering on one of the two burners of a little cooking stove. Many visitors to Nancy like to identify the bunks used by the individual Walker children (girls in particular have a penchant for Titty’s bunk – fore-cabin, port) and other features.

Origins and Life With the Ransomes

Nancy Blackett was built in 1931, by Hillyards of Littlehampton. She is 28ft long, plus bowsprit, with an unusual Bermudian cutter rig. Exactly like the Goblin, she has roller-reefing, operated by a little brass handle, and, down below, four bunks with blue mattresses, and a little white sink opposite a tiny galley.

She had already had two owners, and two names – Spindrift and Electron – before Ransome found and bought her in 1934, for £525. He was at the time in the process of moving from the Lake District to East Anglia, with the aim of doing some sea sailing. His delivery voyage with his new boat, from Poole Harbour to the East Coast, was hair-raising, as his Biography and Letters reveal: gales, damage, and an occasion where the navigation lights blew out, and he used a torch shone through a red plastic plate to ‘frighten off the Flushing-Harwich steamer’ – an incident which eventually appeared in ‘We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea’. Ransome got plenty of good sailing out of Nancy.

As well as his research trip to Holland, he took her round to Portsmouth and back with his friend Richard Rouse, a voyage he wrote up under the title ‘Saturday to Saturday’ for the Cruising Association Bulletin. But one of his favourite destinations was the Walton Backwaters, just a few miles down the coast from his home on the Orwell. He would sail down, and anchor there, ostensibly to work, but often yielded to the temptation to do a little exploring in his dinghy, Coch-y-Bonddhu. The Backwaters formed the setting for his next book, ‘Secret Water’, which includes a brief appearance by the Goblin.

The Ransomes rarely hung on to boats, or houses, for very long. By 1937, in deference to his wife Evgenia’s desire for a larger galley, Arthur had ordered a larger yacht, Selina King, to be built at King’s boatyard in Pin Mill, and sold Nancy in 1938. He retained his affection for her, however – perhaps because she was the one boat out of the seven he owned which he had not bought new.

“Fools build and wise men buy,” he once said, but it was advice he rarely followed himself.

Rescue and Restoration

Over the following half-century, Nancy Blackett had five different owners, who mostly cared for and enjoyed her. But by 1988 she had been allowed to deteriorate in Scarborough harbour, and it was here that she was discovered in near-derelict condition – planks worn and holed, hatch-covers gone, water pouring in and out of her – by Michael Rines, who decided to purchase and restore her, though at that time, knowing nothing of Arthur Ransome or her connection with him. By pure chance, he lived on the Orwell, almost next-door to the house Ransome had lived in when he owned Nancy, and he brought her back to the Orwell to be restored.

After a year of hard work, she was in good enough condition to be exhibited at the East Coast Boat Show, and Mike Rines held a celebratory dinner at the Butt & Oyster in Pin Mill, to which he invited many influential Arthur Ransome devotees (including members of the original family on which the ‘Swallows’ were based) with whom he had corresponded during the restoration. Many of them had not met each other previously, and a year later, triggered by another restoration, this time of the dinghy Amazon, they went on to form the Arthur Ransome Society.

Once Nancy Blackett was fully restored, Mike Rines put her up for sale. The newly-formed Arthur Ransome Society was given the option to purchase, but was not then in a financial position to do so, and so she went to another private owner. It was when he put her on the market, in 1996, that the dream of preserving her for posterity, and of owning her for the enjoyment of all Arthur Ransome fans, was born.

The result was an appeal which raised the purchase price of £25,000 in five weeks, and which became the Nancy Blackett Trust. Under its care, Nancy’s future is assured; she is sailing again, and will remain recognisable as the boat Ransome knew and loved. In the summer of 2002 she retraced Goblin’s fictional route from Pin Mill to Flushing (Vlissingen) in Holland.

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