Shamrock's Weekend Celebration

Fine weather helped with Saturday 26th successful celebration marking 40 years since Shamrock arrived at Cotehele for the start her restoration. She had her sail covers removed, ships bell and navigation lights put in place and was dressed overall.

Ready for visitors.

Three of the original post restoration crew Giles Clotworthy, John Longworth‐Kraft and Peter Bee attended the event and swapped yarns with the present crew. Lots of tales about the near misses had by Shamrock on her various trips. Giles also brought along a painting of Shamrock returning to the quay after her first trip along with his scrapbook of old photos.

Old crew

New old crew

One of the most popular attractions, apart from viewing Shamrock was the lifting of weights with ropes and pulleys. The original idea was for the children to lift an adult demonstrating the mechanical advantage of the pulleys. Children being children had other ideas though as they wanted to be lifted by an adult, one lad even insisted on being lifted a second time so he could take a selfie.

Anthony Rose sang sea shanties onboard Shamrock and following his performance the “Wreckers Border Morris Musicians” performed onboard whilst their “Morris” dancers performed on the quay. The final musical entertainment was supplied by the “Trig Morris Men” of Bodmin on the main quay.

Other attractions included a demonstration of the garden game Smite, the City of Plymouth Model Boat Club with a display of their crafts from steam powered launchs to remote controlled racing yachts and a demonstration of knot tying by the Get Knotted team.

Other News

Shamrock's planned 3rd to 6th August visit to Royal William Yard is cancelled.

Celebrating 40 Years Since The Start Of Shamrock's Restoration

Cotehele Quay is the place to be on Saturday 26th July to celebrate 40 years of Shamrock at Cotehele. Everything getting under way at 11:00 and finishing at approximately 16:00.

It is hoped that the event will be opened by Giles Clotworthy & John Longworth‐Kraft, they both had involvement in the restoration of Shamrock and her initial sea trials.

Plans for the day include:

• Shamrock dressed overall and open for visitors.
• Information boards detailing Shamrock's restoration & history.
• Anthony Rose sea shanties/folk songs (onboard Shamrock).
• Small game stalls.
• Children’s Treasure Hunt and other activities.
• Weights & Pulleys – educational demo.
• Basic knot tying.
• Boat shed open for visitors.
• The Edgcumbe will be having Shamrock themed food (Shamrock high tea & ships biscuits)
• Possibly Morris Dancers, not yet confirmed.

Other News

After a bit of a false start the last couple of weeks has seen the completion of two successful Get Knotted workshops with one of the attendees even demonstrating the 'Alpine Butterfly Bend' while onboard Shamrock.

No Trip

Unfortunately Shamrock's planned Plymouth's Royal William Yard weekend trip (4th to 7th July) has had to be cancelled. Friday's weather forecast is for wind and rain but the main reason is that we are lacking a tow.

No takers for this week's Get Knotted workshop, just hope we get a few for Wednesday the 9th as Nick and Will have put in a lot of preparation work.
Places can be booked on 01579 351346 or just arrive at Cotehele Quay by 10:00am .

On a positive note Shamrock's looking good from the river and she is attracting a lot of visitors.

Get Knotted

After weeks of planning and preparation the Get Knotted workshops are now ready to start in July. The workshops will include instruction on how to tie eight basic knots and their uses also the history of rope making and knots.

Workshops will be held on Wednesdays in the Old Carpenters shed, Cotehele Quay starting at 10:00am and finishing at noon followed by a hot pasty lunch.

Dates are:-

• July 2/9/16/23/30
• August 6/13/20/27
• September 3/10/17/24

All this for the price of £10 per person and that includes the lunch. There will also be the option of purchasing a book on knots. Profits from the workshops will go to funding Shamrock.

Telephone booking is advisable on 01579 351346.

Nancy Belle update.

The fitting and commissioning of Nancy Belle's engine has been completed. She is due back in the water on Monday 16th June in time for her next river trip on the 18th. Life on her will now be quieter and have less vibration.
We now have an in working order 1978 20hp SABB engine and gearbox for sale.

Shamrock's Younger Visitors

This week has seen pupils and teachers from Burraton Primary School visit Shamrock. Judging by the pictures and comments left by the pupils it looks as though a lot of them are regular visitors and Shaune had better watch out as in a few year's time they might be after his job.

Get Knotted

A visual aid for the planned "Get Knotted" courses has been completed. A trial course is due to take place on Wednesday 21st with a few of Shamrock's volunteer crew as guinea pigs.

After that we might know what an Alpine Butterfly Bend is used for, without googling it!

Still no sign of Nancy Belle's new engine, so much for last week's rumour.

UPDATE:- Just heard the engine is being collected on Monday 19th.