Nancy Blackett’s appearance on the BBC’s Countryfile programme yesterday sparked an immediate avalanche of hits on our website, even before the programme had ended. This included a huge upsurge in demand for enamel badges of the type which Nancy Blackett Trust chairman Peter Willis was shown handing to presenter Matt Baker – and which are available in the online shop.

The programme showed Nancy Blackett being prepared for relaunch at Robertsons’ boatyard, Woodbridge, before being launched and sailing on the River Deben. It included interviews with Peter Willis, skipper Bryan Bonser (described by Matt as a “big kid”), Mike Illingworth of Robertsons, who explained how Ransome’s illustrations in "We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea" had helped him in sorting out problems with Nancy’s rigging.

Matt Baker proved a natural enthusiast for Nancy and sailing, taking the helm and declaring exuberantly “I’m in synch with Nancy!” His programme-close and trail for next week were also delivered from Nancy’s cockpit – or as Matt put it “the Glorious Nancy Blackett”.

Nancy’s first appearance, at the beginning of the show, prompted an immediate spate of visits to this website, which had already run into thousands by the programme’s end. Around a normal month’s worth of hits were recorded in this one evening, with membership applications and book purchases as well as the demand for badges.