Floating
the hull planking up Old Mill Creek.
The picture
shows replacement timbers for the Pilgrim being floated up Old
Mill Creek from Sand Quay to the boat builders, Butler &
Co. It was not done because of sentiment or in an attempt to
provide authenticity; it was done because it was the most practical
way of delivering a large and heavy load to a riverside destination.
In a scene which could have taken place hundreds of years ago
we see practical boat handling skills being demonstrated by
men totally confident in their craft.
At
the Steam Fair Rod Coveney, Chas Wheeler, Bill
Wakeham and Tony Byers in front of the Pilgrim
stall.
Of
course we had a stall at Brixham Steam Fair, and of course in
keeping with tradition we enjoyed traditional Steam Fair weather;
it rained, but not all the time. The Steam Fair is all about
nostalgia; it's the atmosphere, the nose stinging smell of the
coke firing the engines, the gleaming brass and the massive
machines. And since Pilgrim's Preservation is also in part about
nostalgia then we fitted in perfectly. Certainly the paying
customers thought so, our combined offerings of Draw Tickets
sale items and Tombola raised over £400 for the Project,
in spite of the showers.
Technical
Chat. Ashley Butler in discussion with Rear Admiral Roy Clare.
Roy
Clare, formerly Commodore of the Royal Naval College and now
CEO of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council visited Old
Mill Creek on 9th June to view progress on Pilgrim. Roy helped
with local negotiations leading to the successful delivery of
the hull timber. No doubt the talk was technical in the extreme
but perhaps an example of the continuity of interest in shipbuilding
over the last century from the era of Pilgrim to the present
day.
It's
not all about fund raising and big timbers.
Sometimes
it's just about having fun. On the 10th of July Chas Wheeler
organised a “Pirates” sailing evening on the Greenway Ferries
“Fairmile “ which apart from raising money for the Project gave
some of our supporters the opportunity to dress up and have
a trip across the bay and on as far as Teignmouth.
Entertainment
was provided by keen young musicians from Dartmouth College
: Stephan Swift on keyboard and saxophone: Aerial Desilva –keyboard
and singer, Jasmine Morley-jazz singer. Special thanks to Greenway
Ferries for sponsoring the
evening.
What's
happening with the Project?
Planking will
start in September and Phase 2a [the hull] will be completed
in mid November. There will be an 'Open Afternoon' in October
which will provide an opportunity to see the work in progress
and there are still planks available to purchase @ £100
each and have your name recorded for display once Pilgrim
is sailing again.
We
have just received the Heritage Lottery Fund's permission
to start Phase 2b [the deck] which will last from November until
July 2011 when Pilgrim will be towed back to Brixham for
the Fit Out. This will be an opportunity for a big celebration
and next spring we shall be asking for both ideas for events
and volunteers to help make them memorable.
Brixham's
MP visits the Pilgrim. The picture shows Gordon Gout, Ashley
Butler, Sarah Woollaston and Bill Wakeham.
Brixham's
Member of Parliament Sarah Woollaston visited Pilgrim
at Butlers Yard at Old Mill Creek on 12 th June and was shown
over the work done so far. Obviously impressed she generously
contributed to the Project by sponsoring a plank.
Can
you help in any way?
We
need funds to keep coming in and there are two events which
need your immediate support.
Have
you yet booked a table for ten for the Annual Dinner at the
Berry Head Hotel on 22nd October?
Entertainment
is from comedian Tank Sherman who will also run the Charity
Auction.
Tables
cost £300 - much cheaper than individual tickets @ £35.
[Tickets from Chas on 01803 882065]
Secondly
there are still Grand Draw tickets to sell. The draw takes
place at Brixham Yacht Club on 1st December
and books of tickets are available from Caroline Bell on
01803 852711.
Finally
why not visit the Pilgrim Stall on the quay at Brixham's
own Fishstock Festival on Saturday 11th September - we hope
to see you there!
If you
would like more information on the Pilgrim Project or would
like to help in any way please contact Rod Coveney on 01803
882915 or John Marshall on 01803 858086
or visit the website www.pilgrimof
brixham.co.uk |
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