News | The Nancy Blackett Trust

Photo: Nancy Blackett in the Tidemill

4th July 2020

John Smith has kindly posted the photo below of Nancy Blackett in the Woodbridge Tidemill Yacht Harbour on 3rd July 2020, while awaiting suitable conditions for a late start to the sailing season.

Video: A Tour of the Swallows and Amazons Forever Exhibition at Windermere Jetty

1st July 2020

The latest exhibition at Windermere Jetty features many items relating to author Arthur Ransome, his life and his most famous book Swallows and Amazons, celebrating the 90th anniversary of its publication. While the museum remains …

Photos: Nancy Blackett back in the water

25th June 2020

Nancy Blackett has at last been relaunched, and is currently moored at Robertson’s boatyard where she will be allowed time to ‘take up’ as planks adjust after months of drying out – lately in very …

Video: Ambleside Well-Dressing – behind the scenes of Swallows and Amazons (1974)

24th June 2020

Watch a behind-the-scenes video below, shot in 1973 during the filming of “Swallows and Amazons (1974)”. Sophie Neville, on a day off from filming “Swallows and Amazons”, watches the Well-Dressing Procession through Ambleside where the …

Shotley Pier restoration work gets under way

23rd June 2020

Work has finally started on the restoration of Shotley Pier, with the removal of unsightly concrete slabs at the shoreward end, and their replacement with reclaimed timber. The work began on 17th June, having been …

Classic Ransome books offer to commemorate Brian Hammett

22nd September 202118th June 2020

This weekend (June 19-21) was to have seen a triple event for the Nancy Blackett Trust: the first Brian Hammett Memorial Talk, our AGM and an open day aboard Nancy Blackett as part of the …

Catch up with The Picts and the Martyrs Marathon Reading

22nd September 202117th June 2020

You can now catch up with the recent online marathon reading of Arthur Ransome’s The Picts and the Martyrs, the fourth marathon reading from the Swallows and Amazons series to have taken place in the …

Video: Walking the Plank – behind the scenes of Swallows and Amazons (1974)

10th June 2020

Watch a behind-the-scenes video below, shot in 1973 during the filming of “Swallows and Amazons (1974)”. Whilst the sun shone on Derwent Water the cast and crew of “Swallows and Amazons” set up to film …

Nancy Blackett’s relaunch plans revised

3rd June 2020

Nancy Blackett’s proposed relaunch on 2nd June has been postponed, following a test dip in the launch cradle on the previous day. This revealed two small leaks, the result of her planks drying out during …

Video: After Lunch on Derwent Water – behind the scenes of Swallows and Amazons (1974)

29th May 2020

Watch a behind-the-scenes video below, shot in 1973 during the filming of “Swallows and Amazons (1974)”. The actors and crew relax after lunch on the shore of Derwent Water in the Lake District. Suzanna Hamilton, …

Nancy Blackett prepares to escape Lockdown; AGM postponed

22nd May 2020

Following the recent relaxation of the Government’s Coronavirus ‘Lockdown’ Rules, and the resumption of work in Robertson’s Boatyard, Nancy Blackett is now scheduled to be relaunched on 2nd June. Her fitting-out will then be completed …

Video: Swimming – behind the scenes of Swallows and Amazons (1974)

15th May 2020

Watch a behind-the-scenes video below, shot in 1973 during the filming of “Swallows and Amazons (1974)”, which is currently on the BBC until 16th May 2020. A montage of behind the scenes footage of the actors and …