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.

HERE'S WHERE YOU COME IN --- HOPEFULLY !

If you have enjoyed our weekly blog on Helen II or eagerly await each weeks ramblings to hit your screen ,you can help keep the project alive with modern technology.
We have now created a donations gizmo to allow our followers to donate painlessly from the comfort of their armchairs via a 'phone text message.

I have no idea how it works,but you can test the system yourself to check it does !

SO WHY HAVE WE DONE THIS ?
   1. We are sadly short of funds and every donation helps keep us afloat.(see how I did that ?)
   2.We tend to get small change in the collection buoy and I have to count it.It takes ages !
          By this extra method I hope we can get donations rounded to pounds.
   3. I have little use for zlotys, euros or steel washers.

So if you want to help us easily and hygienically please bang away on the buttons and give as you see fit !     
         End of slick begging advert.

Today shipwright Dave finished one half plank for the port (left ) side and made a  pattern for another .Wednesday Phil began the task of sanding down the starboard (right) side of the hull to give the planks a smooth finish. All the visitors stopped to admire our handy work whilst visiting a Celtic Fair on the Quay .
 
Our work was sadly hampered by the arrival of Robin Leach a director working for BBC 2 who thinks the project may be included in a program on T.V.
The fight for control of the mirror was unseemly......
Wednesday Phil gave a rousing rendition of " alas poor Yorick I knew him well !"
whilst keeping a vice like grip on the comb.
Shipwright Dave grinned for the camera !

  THE PORT SIDE PLANKING CONTINUES 20 th May


Shipwright Dave continued adding another half plank to the port (left ) side of the hull and created a pattern for the next bow section.


Meanwhile apprentice Dave worked on the lower hull working upwards to meet with shipwright Dave at the stop plank (closing,final plank )

But apprentice Dave had to leave at 10 am for an exam on " The Principles of Boat Building Technology".
When he returned ,he announced, he scored 87.5 % in the test. We pointed out he was 2.5% down on the previous sitting not to mention half a plank down on the day !
BUT we did congratulate him on his result.

He set to with a will and a big grin and   completed a half plank by Wednesday close.

Tony Mead informed us that a producer from BBC 2 is coming next Wednesday to look at the project .
So Wednesday Phil is off to the shops to purchase an "Elvis" bib and brace overall and some gold rigger gloves......
 not that this will go to his head !

 THE STOP PLANK FINISHES THE STARBOARD SIDE

Due to the arrival of a delivery of new larch slabs , shipwright Dave was able to continue with the final quarter of the stop plank which closes the planking gap on the starboard (right) side.
 
Now this side's planking is complete !

All the visitors who passed by yesterday stated the boat now looks like a work of art and the progress was clear.

One quote was "Isn't that beautiful.Just look at the sleek lines and the streamlined shape !"

I thanked him for his comments and then asked him what he thought of the boat.

I believe that got us a generous donation.

Meanwhile apprentice Dave went to Llandrillo college to sit an exam in health and safety in ship building.He came back pleased as punch to announce he scored 90 % in the level 3 exam.

After questioning by shipwright Dave and I, we were all unsure as to what this exam was a part of  and indeed  how many parts were involved in obtaining a complete  level 3.We decided not to ask how many levels come after level 3 as confusion threatened to set in !

But congratulations anyway ! 

Apprentice Dave then got back to work butt jointing (joining ) the sections of the final plank together--- as described previously.

And volunteer Pat brought two of her friends to see the boat and explain her work in the scheme of things ....

BUT most importantly she brought cake  !!!!!!  

Cheers Pat.

Wednesday Phil then had to go and stand in the naughty corner as, while cutting  a plank of oak,,the band saw blade broke with a loud report and sparks which almost made me give a similar  donation to the project !

Shipwright Dave just grinned........

CHOOSING LARCH PLANKS FOR HELEN II FROM THE VERY START.....
Today we went to choose suitable planks from the saw mill..

First Adrian the saw mill owner visited the standing (growing ) larch forest at Bodnant Gardens with shipwright Dave. They chose individual trees which were to be felled soon .They tried to select trees which would have only a few knots and looked strong.

These were then felled, trimmed and cut into 26 or 20 foot lengths and delivered to Adrian's saw yard.

Each tree trunk was then checked for signs of rot or damage during growth and the best specimen chosen for action.








The trunk is then lifted from the pile to the saw bench mechanically as most weigh over two tons!

Adrian then takes a first slice to see what  is below the bark and the potential quality of the wood






Once all are satisfied with the quality, the planks can be cut to the required thickness and set aside for delivery to the Helen II compound.
Even with the best experienced eye, some of the trunks prove not suitable for boat planking and have to be rejected due to knots or shakes (splits ) in the wood.Adrian then has to find another use for this wood as it has already been paid for by him.
And finally ,today was shipwright Dave's birthday and apprentice Dave brought him a cake which was shared by all ! 
I love a happy ending................................................................................. and cake