Posted by The Ancient Mariner on September 03, 1997 at 01:19:06:
In Reply to: Nancy's Open Day posted by The Ancient Mariner on August 31, 1997 at 22:55:30:
Sunday 31 August dawned a little bit grey, a little bit blowy and with the occasional rainshower - however by 0930 Nancy Blackett was "dressed" with her signal flags in the correct order and ready to receive visitors. The flags were rigged before the sad news of the death of Princess Diana was known and were removed as inappropriate some time later.
The first visitors arrived at around 0930 and the first trip to Pin Mill and back left the mooring at 1050 in a blustery South Easter. The first voyage was made with all plain sail and we had the lee rail under on the first board across the river!! We took a reef - not easy - how John managed it in the middle of the North Sea I'm not quite sure though the reefing gear was newer then. After reefing and with just the jib set Nancy was much more settled and a further seven round trips were made (yes - eight in all) with more than fifty visitors enjoying their first sail on he "best little boat".
All in all everyone enjoyed a great day - the sun shone, the barbecue was first class, the turnout of visitors marvellous and Nancy at her very best. Peter Willis can feel justifiably proud of what he has achieved. Many thanks to everyone who turned up - even the port-holes got polished!
What's next - a brief visit to Pin Mill for the regatta - subject to crew availability - and then back to Southwold for the winter work to get under way,
Most important - we will be sending out "begging letters" for small covenants in order to maintain Nancy for the future - now we've got her everyone must have the chance to enjoy her - more days like last Sunday are planned for next year at various locations around the UK.
I'll publish bulletins as the winter work progresses.