Posted by The Ancient Mariner on August 24, 1997 at 21:44:27:
Nancy arrived at Chatham on Thursday 21 August - the Festival opened on the following day and dozens of pairs of feet have tramped through the cabin since then! Lots of visitors and, as a result, some new members for TARS.
A lot of folk were pleased to remake the acquaintance of Nancy having known her previously - one visitor had sailed her in 1947 and reported that she is in much better condition today!!
There is no doubt that there is a huge affection for Nancy Blackett and, as one visitor from South Africa remarked, "She's a trim, lovely little craft and with the care she's getting now should be with us for many years" That particular visitor is working as a shipwright on the Cutty Sark and was good enough to make a new tiller peg to replace the one that was lost - many thanks to him.
Some of the brass looks like new but there's still plenty to polish next weekend - see you at Woolverstone for Barbecued Billygoats!!