SIR TERRY WOGAN CAME TODAY    24 TH JUNE 2015
The television cameras came this afternoon to do a piece about Helen II for a new series called the Great British Food Trip.

Sir Terry Wogan and co presenter Mason had a full 45 minute guided tour accompanied by Tony Mead (trustee) who explained the aims and objectives  and introduced us all to both.
We then gave them the honour of fitting the shutter ( final ) plank on the port (left ) side to complete the planking.
Once they figured out which way up the plank went ,with shipwright Dave in control,the board was secured in full view of the cameras. What a great sight to all involved in her construction.
Finally they were treated to a selection of prawn sandwiches via Trevor of  the  Conwy Mussel Plant on the quay.

Notice apprentice Dave got in on the food act again!
They were both impressed with the project and wished us well before agreeing to a team photo for our blog.

Left to right....Mason, shipwright Dave, apprentice Dave ,Pat ,Terry ,Tony ,Wednesday Phil,Duncan.
That was an enjoyable day !

So we put Helen II to bed looking WONDERFUL
P.S. Wednesday Phil finished up in the naughty corner again for breaking the rotary sander. Ooops !

Wednesday 16 th June.
Harbour master Mathew Forbes has secured a grant of £5,000 pounds for  the project and so the work on Helen II continues ........

At this time of year,many parties of school children visit the quay and often groups come over to see the boat and Wednesday Phil gives short talks to explain the history and aims of the project.

 

Today Peel Hall Primary School, Salford  visited and were not only extremely well behaved but attentive and interested in the project.Well done to the children and staff (including the lad who kept yawning ! I hope it was the excitement of the trip and not my delivery. )

With the possibility of the T.V. coming soon, Dave perfects his Cagney impression of

 "you dirty rat " with anyone who will listen.

They just need to be less agile than he is and hopefully on the other side of the fence!

The truth is that no matter what we are doing people want to ask questions and are genuinely interested in our work. Many visitors  come back again and again to see the progress.

This plank is a real banana 








 but can you see how it springs open as it is cut ?

You never know how planks are going to react.

If you look carefully at this picture ,you can see how the slab sprung open while being sawn at the mill causing thick and thin sections in the slice. We didn't expect that but we managed to level it via the planer.

SORRY THERE HAS BEEN NO UPDATE FOR 5 WEEKS BUT THE NICE PEOPLE AT TALK TALK FAILED TO GET ME BACK ON LINE .I'll let you judge their competence !
Wednesday 3 rd of June
The big news this week is that shipwright Dave's mum and dad payed a surprise visit.
Dad was impressed by the progress Dave has made but I think Dave's mum was more interested to check he was eating regularly ,looked healthy and had a regular change of clothes.
Meanwhile the planking on the port (left) side continues and the mid planks become more banana shaped.. Visitors are surprised that the planks are not parallel. Something I didn't know 3 years ago.

Wednesday 10 th of June

The stern planks are some of the most awkward to fit.
It fascinates me to see the skill of both Daves in making these joints.
Apprentice Dave is fitting the left hand plank and shipwright Dave has completed the right.




We had good and bad news today.....
The bad news was that the band saw bearings burnt out.The good news is that Wednesday Phil wasn't using it at the time so apprentice Dave visited the " naughty corner"this week while shipwright Dave continued planking.

This photo shows how stresses within the plank can show themselves. Notice how the plank springs open when it is cut from the slab.

Wednesday Phil spent the afternoon counting donations from the public  after emptying the buoy.Thanks to the generosity of the public, we added £259 to our accounts.
Thanks to all who continue to support us.