Newsletter Update December 2011

West Wales Maritime Heritage

December 2011 Update

Since our last report Quest is virtually complete and is just awaiting a fresh coat of paint. There is just the small matter of a couple of tears in the mainsail to be attended to.
Undine has now had the centre board fitted, having been scrubbed off, galvanised and painted. For many years we have discussed replacing the lifting arm, which was a long iron bar with what looked like an old-fashioned loo cistern handle at the end. In the lifted position it lay along the centre board casing, and you couldn’t sit on a vertical iron bar. We now have a cable and pulley system, which is much better. We still need to rely on an outboard for power. If only we could find a suitable inboard, the Stuart Turner having resisted all efforts to get it going reliably.
We have now started on Activist, the ex-Outward Bound 26 ft. ketch. The shattered sheer strake has been replaced, and new frames are being laminated up, prior to replacing quite a few of the planks. Then the transom will need some attention, and a few rusty fittings will be replaced. We earnestly hope that she will be on the water next season.
We still have a half-finished Tenby Lugger in the shed. We are trying to set up a funded project to restore it, but funding bodies will not consider us until we have a secure base wherein to locate it. Our future in our present location is very unsure, due to the proposed Martello Quays development, so we are looking at other possible sites to move to. If there is any light at the end of the tunnel it is a long way off. A fairy godmother would be very welcome.
We do have a programme of extra-mural activities. We have attended, and displayed, at the annual archaeological Day School at the College, and we have a series of evening talks arranged. We shall be taking part next year in some local water-based events, such as the Pembroke Rally and the Fishguard Sea Festival. Also Seafair Haven will happen next year, organised by Tall Ships Wales, with our support. The land-based events will be in a slightly lower key, due to lack of money, but the boats will be on the water just the same, in, we hope, impressive numbers.
An important aspect of the Society's mission is to disseminate the West Wales Maritime Heritage Story through the attendance at shore based events, and in respect of this, the Society participated in the planning of the Annual Conference of Morol, the Institute of Welsh Maritime Studies, an all Wales organisation, which took place at St Dogmaels on Saturday 5 November.
. Here the Society members mounted an interpretative display which proved popular with visitors. To further this aim, the Society organises a series of talks through the winter, details of which will be found on the Society's web site, and also can be obtained by contacting the Chairman by phone on 01646 663819 or email davidreed456@btinternet.com

We send out our newsletters online by email where we can, to save postage, but we have too few email addresses. If you do have an email address we do not know of, please send it to tony.ward132@gmail.com. The Treasurer will be very grateful.
Just a reminder…the £15 subscription is due on Jan 1st. Of course, if you would really like to keep up with what is happening in the yard, come along any Monday morning. We won’t make you do anything if you don’t want to!
Happy Christmas; Keep sailing.


West Wales Maritime Heritage Subscription 2012

Name ……………………………………………………..
Address…………………………………………………..
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Sub. Sent……(£15)…..……………

Please send to…Mr. S.Asman
28, Rocky Park
Pembroke SA71 4NY