Nancy Blackett Country: Witch's Quay - from Secret Water

The third in a series of videos from Dylan Winter, made as part of Keep Turning Left, his circumnavigation of Great Britain, in which he drifts with the tide up Kirby Creek to Witch's Quay, familiar to readers of Arthur Ransome's "Secret Water", in which the Nancy Blackett appeared as the Goblin.

Nancy Blackett Country: In the Wake of Ransome - Into Secret Water by the Back Door

The second in a series of videos from Dylan Winter, made as part of Keep Turning Left, his circumnavigation of Great Britain, in which he explores Arthur Ransome's life, as well as sailing a circuit of the Walton Backwaters, familiar to readers of Arthur Ransome's "Secret Water", in which the Nancy Blackett appeared as the Goblin.

New Ransome Radio Play to Premiere in February

A new radio play, "Amazonia", dramatising the life of Arthur Ransome during his time in Russia, is due to premiere on BBC Radio 3 on February 7th at 8PM.

Written by Garry Lyons and produced by Crosslab Productions, the play follows Ransome's dual roles of front-line correspondent and double-agent in Russia during the First World War and the Bolshevik Revolution.

A short preview with behind-the-scenes photos can be seen below:

via the Arthur Ransome Society

Nancy Blackett Country: Walton Backwaters and the Naze

The first in a series of videos from Dylan Winter, made as part of Keep Turning Left, his circumnavigation of Great Britain, in which he explores the Walton Backwaters and the Naze, familiar to readers of Arthur Ransome's "Secret Water", in which the Nancy Blackett appeared as the Goblin.

Ransome’s Nancy Blackett in "Round the Island" Duel

Two classic Hillyard  yachts - one of them Arthur Ransome's Nancy Blackett  - will be taking part* in this year's Round the Island Race, an annual race that circumnavigates the Isle of Wight.

Nancy Blackett, more famous as the Goblin in Ransome's book "We Didn't Mean to Go to Sea," is a 28ft 6in transom-sterned 7-tonner, built in 1931, and now preserved by the Nancy Blackett Trust.

Billy Blue, built in 1932, is a 29ft 6in canoe-sterned  9-tonner, is owned by a private syndicate.

Both boats are of a similar age and size and will be raising funds for charity. They will be happy to complete the 50-mile course without being timed-out.

This year's Round the Island Race is on 19th June, with an early start time of 5am. JP Morgan Asset Management announced at the Boat Show that it will be continuing to sponsor the race until 2012. This year's race will feature live GPS tracking facilities via suitably-equipped mobile phones or laptops, an online photo gallery and a free water-taxi service at Cowes.

*Subject to favourable weather and sea conditions
The original version of this article was published by Classic Boat magazine. Republished with permission.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

The Nancy Blackett Trust wishes a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all.

More Photos of the Laying-up Weekend

The Tide Mill Yacht Harbour

Tea at Woodbridge Cruising Club

The Nancy Blackett Trust stall at Woodbridge Maritime Boat Jumble on the Sunday
(this got a lot busier later - we sold loads of cards, teatowels, etc. - but not the copper kettle - any offers?)

- John Benford, Sailing Secretary

Nancy is Now Laid-up for the Winter

Nineteen people attended Nancy's laying-up day on 17th October at the Tide Mill Yacht Harbour, Woodbridge. A barbecue lunch was provided by John Smith, with tea and a raffle draw held later that afternoon in Woodbridge Cruising Club. Sixteen people enjoyed dinner at the Cherry Tree in the evening.

Nancy was lifted out on 19th October at Robertson's Yard.

I have already received one bid for sailing on Nancy next year, when it is planned she will be in the Solent.

- John Benford, Sailing Secretary

Nancy Blackett at 'Free the Quay' at Mistley

On Sunday 4th October Ed Williams and John Benford sailed the Nancy Blackett around from Woolverstone to support this demonstration against the fence that has been erected at Mistley Quay.

See http://www.freethequay.org/

For more photos of this event see Nancy's Facebook page or go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/johnabenford/FreeTheQuay2009#

Retrospective: Nancy's Voyage to London (Part 4)

The fourth and final set of images of Nancy Blackett's voyage to London in September, featuring Tower Bridge and St. Katherine's Dock.

Photo credits: A Beck