Monday 24 February 2020

VOTE FOR CLOVELLY'S BESSIE. Cockwells Nominated for Two Classic Boat Awards: Show Your Support and Vote

Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding could win not just one but two coveted industry awards if local people participate in a public vote between now and midnight on Monday 9th March 2020.

The latest model in Cockwells’ popular Duchy Motor Launch series – the Twin Cabin Duchy 35 – that was unveiled at the 2019 Southampton International Boat Show has been shortlisted in the Powered Vessels category of the 2020 Classic Boat Awards.

Historic Falmouth working boat, Bessie – which has been restored by Cockwells’ apprentices – has also been nominated in the Restoration of the Year (under 40ft) class.

The Classic Boat Awards celebrate the best newly-built boats and restorations in the ‘wonderful world of traditional vessels and the people who float them.’

The Twin Cabin Duchy 35, designed by Andrew Wolstenholme and built by Cockwells, has been described by the judges as possessing the ‘good harbour launch looks of her sisters’, the Duchy 21 and Duchy 27.

Duchy Motor Launches are classically-designed, handcrafted, semi-production vessels that are built from low maintenance composites and defined by the seemingly infinite number of optional extras that can be incorporated – from teak decks and leather seating to custom glassware in tailor-made stowage.

The Twin Cabin Duchy 35 demonstrates an even greater level of customisation to revolutionise layout as well as ease of use.

“The Duchy 35 is for cruising and relaxing, and offers unrivalled seakeeping with style,” explains Founder and Managing Director, Dave Cockwell. “The twin cabin layout transforms the boat into a comfortable family cruiser with a galley located in the spacious saloon and two double berths below,” he adds. “The shower compartment offers generous headroom and a full-width electric sunroof enables you to take in panoramic sea views from all-round windows. Your choice of hardwood joinery, electronics and upholstery complete the picture.”

At the traditional end of the spectrum, Bessie was built in Looe in 1904 to work the oyster beds of the Helford River. Later, she raced in Falmouth. Now, she is all set to sail visitors across Bideford Bay in the summer months.

This restoration involved much work to her hull as apprentice, Jack Sullivan, explains: “We had to re-plank, which involved learning how to ‘spile’, or take a pattern from an old plank and create a new one, as well as re-fasten old planks and replace frames. I really enjoyed putting my hands to something with a bit of heritage and learning the techniques of proper, traditional boatbuilding as part of my real-time work experience through Cockwells’ Apprenticeships.”

“We are delighted to have been shortlisted twice in this prestigious industry awards scheme and hope that the public will support us by voting for the Twin Cabin Duchy 35 as well as Bessie,” concludes Dave Cockwell. “These vessels showcase the breadth of our expertise from the artisan skills of the traditional shipwright to the style, seakeeping and technical innovation that we are renowned for at the luxury end of the market.”

Winners of the Classic Boat Awards 2020 will be announced in the May issue of Classic Boat magazine, which is published on 3rd April 2020.

Bessie Restored. Photo copyright Ellie Jarvis (All Rights Reserved)
Bessie Restored. Photo credit Ellie Jarvis - VOTE BESSIE
Bessie Pre-restoration. Photo copyright Cockwells (All Rights Reserved)
Bessie Pre-restoration. Photo credit Cockwells
Cockwells' Duchy 35. Photo copyright  Andrew Wright (All Rights Reserved)
Cockwells' Duchy 35. Photo credit Andrew Wright  VOTE DUCHY 35
Cockwells' Duchy 35 Twin Cabin Master Cabin Photo copyright Emily Harris (All Rights Reserved)
Cockwells' Duchy 35 Twin Cabin Master Cabin. Photo credit Emily Harris
Cockwells' Apprentice, Jack Sullivan who worked on the restoration of Bessie. Photo copyright Cockwells' (All Rights Reserved)
 Cockwells' Apprentice, Jack Sullivan who worked on the restoration of Bessie. Photo credit Cockwells
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About Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding
Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding is based in Mylor Creek Boatyard near Falmouth in Cornwall, at the westerly edge of the UK. We build bespoke superyacht tenders, motor launches and sailing yachts in any material to your precise requirements and our exacting standards. We are also the proud creators of the Duchy Motor Launch brand – a prestigious semi-production launch with a range of 21ft to 60ft. Our Mylor Creek Boatyard is also fully equipped to offer refits, restorations and engineering services for local yachts, and superyacht tenders from all over the world.

About The Cockwells Academy
The Cockwells Academy is aimed primarily at post-GCSE students who are enrolled on a full-time course at Falmouth Marine School. It offers specific work experience days and masterclasses at the company’s Mylor Creek Boatyard for one academic year. Up to ten applicants are selected each year to benefit from real-time work experience as well as access to Cockwells’ highly-skilled craftsmen and elements of the boatbuilding process that it may not be possible for them to encounter during their studies at college. Through this process, students hone the practical skills they need in order to become professional boatbuilders.Following assessment at the end of the year, a number of students from The Cockwells Academy are selected to continue their training at the company as paid apprentices for three years, after which, they become fully-qualified boatbuilders. To apply for The Cockwells Academy, please contact Falmouth Marine School on 0330 123 4783 or email falenquiries@cornwall.ac.uk.

Wednesday 12 February 2020

March Highlights. Hartland Book Festival comes to Hartland Parish Hall

You’ll find literary fun and conversation with a talented bunch of local authors as they assemble for the first Hartland Book Festival. Discover exciting titles by a talented bunch of Local Authors across the categories including; Children/Young Adult, Comedy Adventure, Horror and Mystery.

Come and enjoy a few hours of relaxed friendly conversation, listen to presentations, join in with the meandering story and try the Literary Lucky Dip. With book signings and a free cake with every book purchased, there is something for everyone.

Hartland Book Festival  Hartland Parish Hall  Saturday 7th March 2020
Hartland Book Festival
Hartland Parish Hall
Saturday 7th March 2020
10am-2pm
 Admission is FREE
Click here to Follow Hartland Book Festival on Facebook
Contact: Sandy Fish at Hartland Book Festival Email 
Proceeds from the Tea Table will be donated to Dementia UK

Wednesday 15 January 2020

Journey to the Sea film series set to make waves in North Devon

A new six-part documentary series starring the people and landscapes of North Devon premieres in the county this month - narrated by BBC Springwatch presenter Gillian Burke. Journey to the Sea has been produced in partnership between North Devon Biosphere, WWF, Sky Ocean Rescue, the National Trust, and the Environment Agency.

Journey to the Sea is a celebration of the connection between people, land and the sea - putting nature centre stage. A special Director’s Cut of the films will be screened on Tuesday 21st January in North Devon. The exclusive event will be hosted by science communicator, zoologist and star of one of the episodes, Sophie Pavelle. Following the launch, one episode per week will then go on general release.

Filmed in North Devon, and following the course of the county’s waterways, the collection of short films is a celebration of Devon’s stunning, diverse habitats - from the wild moors of Dartmoor, to the crashing surf of the coastline and out to the open water around Lundy’s shores. The series aims to inspire viewers to take action to protect the UK’s natural world wherever they live.

The films are told through the eyes of local people, who help bring these special places to life. During the series viewers will meet a range of characters, whose lives and livelihoods are intrinsically linked to the area’s waterways, including Ilfracombe’s harbour master and Lundy Island’s warden.
The six films are:
  • ‘Wild camping with Trev’ - hiking through Dartmoor National Park
  • ‘Farming for the future with Simon’ - connecting young people with wildlife on a working farm
  • ‘Exploring the estuary with Sophie’ - paddleboarding on the peaceful Taw-Torridge Estuary
  • ‘Surfing with Jasmine’ - disadvantaged young people learning to surf with the Wave Project at Saunton Sands and Croyde beach
  • ‘The harbour with George’ - meeting the thriving harbour community in Ilfracombe
  • ‘Lundy island with Dean’ - diving below the waves and exploring the island
Rose Stainthorp, Marine Pioneer Coordinator, North Devon Biosphere, said: “North Devon can be a magical place, packed full of wildlife and diverse habitats. We have world-class surfing conditions, which attract surfers from across the country and beyond. Along with the beauty and tranquility of Dartmoor National Park, and the wildlife found on land and at sea, North Devon supports a thriving tourism industry that employs thousands of local people. This should be celebrated and brought to life so we all understand why now is the time to take action and protect nature on our doorstep.”

Alec Taylor, Head of Marine Policy, WWF, said: “We know our oceans and waterways are under threat like never before, from plastic pollution and climate change, to overfishing and underwater noise. Nature is not just a nice to have - it’s our life support system and we can no longer ignore the pressures we’re placing on our environment. We hope these films will inspire people to join the fight for our world and take action to help protect and restore our precious oceans and waterways for the wildlife and communities that depend on them.”
#journeytothesea
Journey to the Sea - Photos copyright @ninaconstablemedia (All Rights Reserved)
Journey to the Sea - Photos copyright @ninaconstablemedia (All Rights Reserved)
Journey to the Sea - Photos copyright @ninaconstablemedia (All Rights Reserved)
  Journey to the Sea - Photos copyright @ninaconstablemedia (All Rights Reserved)
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"Films were written and produced by Nina Constable Media in collaboration with Mindfully Wired Communications"
#journeytothesea
Email: rose.stainthorp@devon.gov.uk
Facebook: @NorthDevonBiosphere
Twitter: @NDevonBiosphere
All images copyright @ninaconstablemedia (All Rights Reserved)