The Nancy Blackett Trust’s contribution to the Felixstowe Book Festival on Saturday June 25th was part of a highly entertaining and successful day-long series of events under the title of Suffolk and the Sea.

The day included items from Trust members Claudia Myatt, Jane Russell from chart publishers Imray and Julia Jones, who also curated the event.

Julia Jones. Photo: Peter Willis.

The Trust’s own slot, entitled ‘You Too Can Go to Sea’, focused on ways that anyone – including the disadvantaged and the disabled – can go to sea. Chaired by the Nancy Blackett Trust’s President, Peter Willis, it also featured contributions from Leonie Back, CEO of the Cirdan Sailing Trust (which focuses on taking groups of young people sailing on the classic Duet and other purpose-adapted boats), and blind sailor Simon Daws who explained how the East Anglian Sailing Trust (EAST) enables people like him, as well as the physically disabled, to put to sea in only slightly adapted production yachts. It all led to a lively discussion about adapting boats, including the revelation that one of Cirdan’s boats features a spiral staircase which positively assists disabled crew in moving between decks.

Peter Willis. Photo: Jon Swallow.

The event also saw the debut of the Nancy Blackett Trust’s new 6-foot pull-up banner, which nicely flanked the Felixstowe Book Festival’s own on the other side of the podium. The Trust helped sponsor the day with a contribution towards making a video which will be completed once sailing footage of the boats involved – including Nancy Blackett herself – is obtained.