To celebrate the 50th anniversary this year of the film of Arthur Ransome’s Swallows & Amazons, The Norfolk Heritage Fleet Trust at Hunter’s Yard is organising a family cruise in company on their historic vessels from 3-10 August, sailing the Norfolk waters of Coot Club and The Big Six.
Hunter’s Yard in Ludham (see W128) is a unique traditional boatyard, running a hire fleet of classic mahogany Broads yachts and dayboats designed, built and maintained at Hunter’s since the 1930s. It is also home to many of the much-loved boats from the 1974 Swallows & Amazons film and the 1984 BBC productions of Coot Club and The Big Six.
Lullaby, one of Hunter’s 28’5’’ (8.7m) gaff sloops, was hired by the BBC to play the part of Teasel in the serialisation of Ransome’s Coot Club and The Big Six. Also at the yard is Tom Dudgeon’s wooden dinghy Titmouse. Last year they were joined by the original Swallow and Amazon from the 1974 film (see W160 – now sold out), when they relocated from their previous home in the lakes at Windermere Jetty.
The cruise in company will visit some of the locations featured in the books including Horning, Ranworth, Potter Heigham and Kendal Dyke (where Dick fell in!). Crew can join for the entire week of part of it. Actor Sophie Neville, who played Titty in Swallow & Amazons will join the fleet at the end of the week after giving a talk at Norwich Cathedral and as well as Lullaby (Teasel), Amazon and Titmouse will also be available to hire from Hunter’s – more info from info@huntersyard.com
