Our 29th anniversary – saving Nancy Blackett since 1997

Twenty-nine years ago this week – on the 9th of June 1997 – Nancy Blackett was bought by the then ‘Nancy Blackett Appeal’.

The cost, £25,000, had been raised by donations from around 350 Arthur Ransome fans – most of them in the Arthur Ransome Society, but also from worldwide supporters including the Arthur Ransome Club of Japan, and supporters in the USA. The appeal had been triggered a year or so earlier when her then owner, Colin Winter, had put her up for sale shortly after buying her from Michael Rines, who had run out of money on her restoration.  

During the following weeks, the Appeal became a Registered Charity – the Nancy Blackett Trust – and Nancy herself was handed over to us at the first Sail Ipswich Festival, after being sailed down from Harbour Marine in Southwold who had pulled out all the stops to complete her winter work and get her relaunched.

Since that pivotal day in 1997, Nancy Blackett has been restored, maintained, and sailed extensively. She has crossed to Holland (echoing Ransome’s voyages), visited classic boat events, hosted school groups, and introduced countless people – young and old – to the joys of traditional sailing and the spirit of adventure in Ransome’s stories.

Thanks to the dedication of the Trust’s volunteers, members, and supporters, this iconic little ship remains active and cherished nearly 30 years on. She continues to inspire new generations with the same sense of freedom and discovery that captivated Arthur Ransome.

Membership of the Trust is open to all – to join, see our joining page here.

And the full Nancy Blackett story is told in Good Little Ship – you can buy it here.