Amazonia Now Available on BBC iPlayer

"Amazonia", the BBC radio drama about Arthur Ransome's early life in Russia, is now available on BBC iPlayer until 9:32PM on Sunday 14th February.

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 One of the Top 10 Classics!

Nancy Blackett was listed in a selection of 10 'important boats' representing Britain's seafaring heritage featured in a recent issue of Country Life.

The selection, made by Dan Houston, editor of Classic Boat magazine, represents "an eclectic look at a handful of boats, all of which are sailing today: "Each vessel… has contributed to our continued reliance on and eternal enjoyment of the sea."

Of Nancy, the article says: "Inspiring people to sail was Arthur Ransome's legacy. Nancy Blackett, named after the pirate heroine of his books was his favourite boat. People remember him typing stories in her cabin, and she's famous as the Goblin in "We Didn't Mean to Go to Sea "(1937).

Nancy Blackett is typical of a number of small cruisers built in the 1920s and 1930s, creating a flotilla sailed by (mostly) men who learned boathandling and navigation for recreation. It was a new trend and proved a valuable resource to the Royal Navy when war broke out in 1939."

And Nancy is in distinguished company: also in the Top Ten are the J-Class Endeavour, the 200-year-old smack Boadicea, the pilot cutter Jolie Brise, Shackleton's James Caird, Robin Knox-Johnston's world-girdling Suhaili, a Thames barge (Mirosa), a Dunkirk Little Ship (Naid Errant), a high-speed rescue launch (HSL102) and an International 14 dinghy from the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.

The article appeared in the August 5th issue of Country Life.

Mission: Falmouth

This year's big adventure is for the Nancy Blackett to return to the Cornish port of Falmouth. Timed to coincide with the TARS 2008 AGM and a special Arthur Ransome exhibition at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, the visit will mark the 10th anniversary of Nancy's last voyage to Falmouth, and could incorporate short trips in the area for members and visitors.

A number of attempts to reach Falmouth in the intervening years have been defeated by either the weather or by mechanical problems, so this time the journey will start as early as possible to allow sufficient time. More details will be published when confirmed.

The TARS AGM and International Gathering will take place from May 23rd to 25th 2008.

Gala AGM and Ransome Memorial Voyage are 2006's Highlights

2006 is a year of special anniversaries, including the 75th anniversary of the building of Nancy Blackett, and the 10th anniversary of the launch of the original Nancy Blackett Appeal, which led to the formation of the Nancy Blackett Trust.

The two key events planned to celebrate these anniversaries are a special Gala AGM, to be held at the Royal Harwich Yacht Club from June 2nd-4th, which will be followed by a Ransome Memorial Voyage from Harwich to Vlissengen and cruising in Holland (and return) from June 5th-16th.

All Events in 2006:

September
09-10: Maritime Woodbridge/Heritage Open Days

May-August
Subject to demand: A variety of trips along the East Coast, and an additional trip to Holland (in August) - for details see end of page.

August
19-28: East Coast Classics, Walton-Alde (OGA)
13: Woodbridge Regatta, Woodbridge (subject to confirmation)

July
15-16: Swamazons, Hamford Water - OGA's "Secret Water" dinghy event, including the Round Swallow Island Race

June
24: OGA Royal Hospital School Joint Event, Holbrook and Wrabness
16-18: Brigaff, Brightlingsea - OGA Weekend
05-16: Ransome Memorial Voyage, Harwich/Vlissingen/Holland (cruising)
02-04: Gala AGM/Nancy Blackett's 75th Birthday, Royal Harwich Yacht Club (with short sailing trips)

May
20-26: Schools Week

April
21-23: Mate Training Weekend
10-11: Delivery Voyage
8-9: Working Party, Woodbridge

March
25-26: Working Party, Woodbridge

Additional Trips subject to demand:
Up, down, across and around
In addition to all the above, with dates to be arranged to suit crews, skippers and other events, we are planning a range of short, medium and long trips – locally (between the Deben and Brightlingsea) and further afield, north to the Broads, south to the Medway, and possibly a second voyage over to Holland, in August, depending on demand.

We also have invitations to meet up with the restored sailing smack Pioneer, being operated by OYT-East, and attend Woodbridge Regatta (13 August).

Note: All dates are subject to skipper and boat availability, and weather

To arrange a sail – assuming you’re already a member - phone or e-mail Judy Taylor to discuss your requirements and available dates.
Sailing Secretary: Judy Taylor
Phone: 01536 481895
E-mail: judypeter@thetaylors.f9.co.uk
Post: 19 The Square, Thorpe Malsor, Kettering NN14 1JP

Costs:
Nancy is operated as a club boat with members who sail contributing to the costs at the rate of £25 per person per day, with reductions for Work Credits, for Juniors and for day-sails (non-overnight).

The Secret Life of Arthur Ransome

Following the release in March by the National Records Office of two reconstituted government files concerning Arthur Ransome's years in Russia, the BBC commissioned a documentary film which Griff Rhys Jones investigated whether Ransome was a British spy or a Bolshevik sympathiser during the Russian Revolution in 1917.

Griff Rhys Jones also tracked down the last surviving relative of Ransome's second wife, Evgenia, in St Petersburg, and spent a day sailing one of Ransome's boats, Coch-y-Bonddhu, on Windermere.

More Information:

• Secrets: The National Archives press release, and the actual documents
• Enigma: 'Still an Enigma, Our Petrograd Correspondent' - The Guardian's David Pallister remains confused
  
• Examination: 'Whose Side Was He On?' asks Roland Chambers in the Guardian
• Fears: 'MI5 Feared Ransome Was a Double Agent' in the Daily Telegraph
  
• Interview: 'Swallows, Amazons, Spies and Bolsheviks' in the Yorkshire Post
• Preview: 'Secretive Water' in Yachting Monthly and a mention the Windermere Steamboats Museum's newsletter
• Review: Arthur Ransome skeptic Sam Wollaston becomes an admirer, in the Guardian
• Comments: Discussion thread on TARBoard

Nancy's Historic Hillyard Visit: Press Coverage (part 2)

Nancy Blackett's historic visit to Hillyard's boatyard in Littlehampton was later covered by 'Practical Boatowner'.

The article is entitled "Nancy Comes Home" and may be read here.

Nancy's Historic Hillyard Visit: Press Coverage (part 1)

Nancy Blackett's historic visit to Hillyard's boatyard in Littlehampton was covered in the local press.

'Littlehampton Today' published an article entitled "Nancy's Amazon journey", which may be read here.