Over the past couple of weeks further progress has been made on Nancy Blackett’s winter work, with dedicated volunteers having painstakingly removed further anti-fouling from her hull, most recently in freezing but sunny conditions. Boat manager Neil Brooks has kindly provided the photos below showing each step.
This year’s Essex Book Festival will celebrate the 80th anniversary of Arthur Ransome’s “Secret Water” with a very special event in Harwich on Sunday 3rd March. Peter Willis, Sophie Neville and Julia Jones will be discussing Ransome’s life, books and legacy at 3pm in the Harwich Connexions 1912 Centre. Peter Willis is the President of the […]
The 1974 “Swallows and Amazons” film music was composed by Wilfred Josephs, best known for producing the theme music for “I,Claudius”, “Enemy at the Door”, “The Prisoner” and “Pollyanna”. You can listen to his introduction & end title music for “Swallows and Amazons” below, while the film itself is available on BBC iPlayer for UK viewers until 31st […]
Arthur Ransome’s favourite yacht, Nancy Blackett, has had her hull partly stripped as part of her annual winter maintenance. The initial work was undertaken at Robertson’s boatyard in Woodbridge by the Nancy Blackett Trust’s Boat Manager Neil Brooks, who commented that it “took one man hour with a scraper, but it was pretty hard going. […]
An exceptionally high tide was seen earlier today at Pin Mill, famous for appearing in Arthur Ransome’s “We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea“. Anthony Cullen and Mark Sanderson captured the scene outside the Butt and Oyster and along the foreshore to Harry King’s boatbuilders below. Click on the Facebook logos ([f]) to go the […]
Both film adaptations of Arthur Ransome’s “Swallows and Amazons” are currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The 1974 film is available to watch here until Thursday 31st January, while the 2016 film is available to watch here until Monday 14th January. The behind-the-scenes story of the 1974 film is available in the book “The Making […]
A Christmas message from the Nancy Blackett Trust… We wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of our supporters, members, friends and followers. Thank you for your ongoing support and have a wonderful time. Art by Claudia Myatt
Alison Hull interviews Sophie Neville about her involvement with the original 1974 “Swallows and Amazons” film… 1 – How did you get the part of Titty Walker? In March 1973, a letter arrived, out of the blue, inviting me to audition for a role in “Swallows and Amazons”. I was twelve years old, an ordinary […]
As the Christmas shopping countdown continues there’s still time for some last-minute topping-up – and our new Nancy Blackett Fridge Magnets could fit the bill! Depicting Nancy Blackett’s magnetic attraction, they are based on our Claudia-Myatt-designed coasters and are tiny delights – just 5cm square – which will brighten any kitchen, or could even help […]
Arthur Ransome Society President Sophie Neville presents her annual round-up of the best “Swallows and Amazons”-inspired Christmas presents… When I made a tradition of suggesting literary-themed Christmas presents I didn’t expect to find fabulous cushions like these but they have great ideas on the Redbubble website. Did Penguin ever publish “Swallows and Amazons” or was it […]
New maps of Arthur Ransome’s Norfolk Broads have just been published, showing locations from Coot Club and The Big Six in relation to neighbouring 1930’s roads, railways, and landmarks. Produced by Mike Field of Wooden Boat Fittings in Australia, the maps are based on the original Northern and Southern Rivers maps in those books’ endpapers, […]
Introducing “Pebble” – the new book in Julia Jones’ “Strong Winds” series. Sailing, skulduggery and more family revelations in this exciting sequel to “The Lion of Sole Bay”- read the full synopsis and order online from the Nancy Blackett Shop. To celebrate its launch, we’re offering “Pebble” at £1 off – for just £7.99. We’re […]
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