Nancy Blackett’s 90th birthday launch

Low-key but enthusiastic celebrations were held to mark the launch of Arthur Ransome’s favourite yacht Nancy Blackett in her 90th year. Named after the Swallows and Amazons character, the 28ft cutter, built in 1931, featured in the book We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea.

With signal flags aloft, gleaming varnish, white topsides and rich red antifouling, she touched down into the River Deben at Robertsons Boatyard in Woodbridge on 29 April, and was given a ‘rousing send-off’ by members of The Nancy Blackett Trust and friends.

Trust members, socially distanced but no less enthusiastic for masks and lockdown constraints, doused Nancy’s bow with celebratory wine INSET: Her birthday cake