The sailing dinghy featured as Swallow in the 1974 film of “Swallows and Amazons” is currently attracting a lot of attention as one of the lots on offer in an online auction. A group of  Arthur Ransome fans, including Arthur Ransome Society and Nancy Blackett Trust members is planning to bid for it and trying to find more supporters to raise what it hopes will be a realistic amount.

The auction is being run by Turks Launches, based at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham, to clear out some 200 boats, many of which have been used in films. Details are at www.turksauction.com and bids close at 3PM on 14th April.

Swallow is not Arthur Ransome’s original boat, which disappeared long ago, but is a handsome-looking clinker-built dinghy in mahogany on oak. At 12ft 6in long, she is about a foot shorter than the real/fictional boat and comes complete with a lugsail.

TARS’ Magnus Smith and Rob Boden are leading the fund-raising campaign. They have set up a website at sites.google.com/site/swallowbid/ and have received the support of Sophie Neville, who played Titty in the film.

Swallow up for auction, Lot 20. Photo: Apex Auctions/Turks Launches