i was reading this today and thought it was interesting to some one,
it is in conwy north wales and has been in dry dock for some time but finally got there grant
david jt
Heritage Lottery grant for Nobby boat at Conwy Quay
May 10 2012 by Mari Jones, North Wales Weekly News
THE trust set up to save a historic Nobby boat on Conwy Quay are celebrating this week, following the approval of its Heritage Lottery bid
A £50,000 cash boost for a restoration project on Conwy Quay should lead to training and skills opportunities for local youngsters.
The Trust set up to save the historic nobby boat Helen II on Conwy Quay was celebrating this week following the approval of its Heritage Lottery bid.
It means the Helen II will be restored for the use of the community and should be seaworthy in 18 months to two years. Youngsters can gain construction and restoration skills as well as sea skills after the work is complete.
In 2010, the James Roddick Morecambe Bay Prawner Restoration Trust took ownership of the 40ft long classic sailing boat built from oak in 1910.
There were worries the project had come to a standstill as the trust had run out of money. The grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund of £49,600 in conjunction with match funding provided by other sponsors will now enable the project to be completed.
Marine students at Coleg Llandrillo will work with the trust to fully restore and operate the vessel, which will be berthed in Conwy Harbour.
Tony Mead, Conwy’s former harbourmaster and secretary of the trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted we are to get the Heritage Lottery grant we needed, and thanks to the match funding, work will commence on Helen II on May 18.
“Llandrillo students will be working alongside professional shipwrights, and volunteers will also be helping.
“We have got some great volunteers such as retired shipwrights but we do need more as there are hundreds of ways people could help out.
“The whole point of this project is that it’s the community coming together to rebuild this historic boat, and it will be the community which will sail in her.
“It will also be nice that people on the quay will be able to see the rebuild taking place.
“The restoration will take anything between 18 months and two years, as she’s in quite a deteriorated state although not all of her needs to be replaced.
“It has been a slow process to get to this stage, but thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund and our sponsors it can now be completed.”
The Trust plans to hold an event at the restoration site on Conwy Quay on Friday, May 18. The trust is currently sponsored by Conwy County Council, Conwy River Festival and The Nobby Owners Association.
If you’d like to volunteer with the project call Tony Mead on 07889 751444.