Norman Willis, the former general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, and a former president of the Arthur Ransome Society, passed away earlier this month at the age of 81. Born in Hayes, Middlesex, Mr Willis led the TUC at what was arguably the most turbulent period of the trades unions' history, becoming the general […]
Yesterday morning adventurer and sailor Elsa Hammond finally set off on the inaugural Great Pacific Race from Monterey, California. Elsa, a lifelong Arthur Ransome enthusiast, is the only solo female rower from Europe taking part in the race, which is also first ever rowing race to take place in the Pacific Ocean. Elsa is rowing […]
This year sees the 75th anniversary of the publication of "Secret Water", the eighth book in the "Swallows and Amazons" series by Arthur Ransome. The story is principally set in the Walton Backwaters and includes an second appearance by Nancy Blackett as the Goblin, being the direct sequel to the classic "We Didn't Mean to […]
You can now pre-order from our shop the new upcoming Vintage Classics editions of both "We Didn't Mean to Go to Sea" and "Secret Water" – the two Arthur Ransome titles that feature Nancy Blackett as the Goblin. They are about to be published in Random House's Vintage Classics series, with striking new cover designs. The […]
It is now just a few days before Nancy Blackett starts her 2014 season with a members' day at Shotley Marina on Saturday 12th April. A number of activities for members are planned for the day, including short sailing trips and a tour of the Ganges Museum, riverside walks and dinner at the Shipwreck Restaurant. […]
Nancy Blackett Trust member Jenny Wedick is currently in Argentina, having spent several weeks sailing there on the STS Lord Nelson, a Tall Ship owned by the Jubilee Sailing Trust. She writes: "I am now a true Cape Horner! We sailed over 6,000 miles from Auckland, stopping at Napier and the Chatham Islands before seeing […]
Children’s literature postgrad Elizabeth Williams from Newcastle University recently came to research the East Coast locations used by Ransome and Julia Jones, and was delighted to accept an invitation to visit the Goblin – alias Nancy Blackett. Here’s her account of the day: I love reading children’s books, and rereading the ones I’m particularly attached to. […]
Nancy Blackett Trust member Jenny Wedick is currently sailing towards Argentina on the STS Lord Nelson, a Tall Ship owned by the Jubilee Sailing Trust. Writing in her latest ship's update, she explains how it all started: "I have almost always lived by the sea and many of my childhood family holidays involved sailing on […]
Members of the Nancy Blackett Trust and the Arthur Ransome Society can now receive a 10% discount if they stay at The Cottage at Hill Top, Arthur Ransome's last home, near Haverthwaite. The Ransomes first rented Hill Top during the summer of 1956 before finally buying it in 1960. They then started a programme of […]
To conclude our series marking the 130th Anniversary of Arthur Ransome's birth last Saturday, historian, edutainer and broadcaster Matthew Ward recalls his childhood with "Swallows and Amazons".
Chris Courtauld, benefactor of sail-training and a supporter of Nancy Blackett, passed away on January 11, aged 79. Best known as the co-founder of the Ocean Youth Club, and the owner of the 50ft yawl Duet which he loaned first to the OYC and currently to the Cirdan Trust, Chris lived in Broke House at […]
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