The Royal Harwich Yacht Club. Photo: I. Jacobson

Two days of events beside and on the lovely River Orwell began with the Nancy Blackett Trust’s AGM and Summer Social on Saturday 3rd June, and continued on Sunday with a 40-boat flotilla marking Nancy Blackett’s commemorative departure for Holland, all held at the Royal Harwich Yacht Club.

This is a special year for Arthur Ransome fans – 3rd June was the exact date of his death 50 years ago; 2017 is also the 80th anniversary of the publication of “We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea” – the Ransome book set on the River Orwell, in which Nancy Blackett appears as the Goblin – and the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Nancy Blackett Trust, set up to preserve Ransome’s favourite boat.

Ellen MacArthur, Patron of the Nancy Blackett Trust, also sent a surprise congratulatory message by video, which you can watch below:

Nancy Blackett and Ragged Robin. Photo: Peter Willis

The Summer Social heard talks from three speakers – all very different but each interesting on his of her own subject.

Harwich Pilot Jane Stone gave a lively and amusing account of her job, including the difficulties small boats can present to a large cargo ship being piloted up the river!

Julian Lovelock, author of the new book about Ransome’s books, “Swallows, Amazons and Coots“, told of his childhood sailing in these waters before giving a taste of some of the themes explored in his book.

And finally, in celebration of the 70th birthday of Ransome’s yacht Peter Duck, Ned Palmer, who had accompanied his father Greg on their round-Britain voyage in the boat, gave a lively and interesting account of the boat and their adventures aboard her (or him).

The Thames Barge Thistle. Photo: Peter Willis.

On Sunday, in glorious sunshine and light winds, Nancy Blackett set off for Holland at the head of a flotilla that also included another former Ransome yacht, Ragged Robin, and Wild Cat, owned by Nancy Blackett Trust Chairman Roger Sturge, which was also heading for Holland. In all, over 40 boats took part, with Thames Barge Thistle finishing the parade.

Ashore, on the lawns of the Royal Harwich Yacht Club which had organised the flotilla, spectators were entertained by shanty band High Water Mark from Pin Mill and treated to a variety of souvenirs from the Nancy Blackett Shop.

High Water Mark sea shanty band. Photo: Peter Willis

Earlier this afternoon, Nancy Blackett was reported to have safely completed her cross-Channel voyage, arriving at Vlissingen at 1PM BST after having sailed most of the way in time for lunch with the Trust’s Chairman Roger Sturge.

She will now spend several weeks exploring the Dutch canals, giving many Trust members a rare sailing opportunity and experience.

– Peter Willis