The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded over £1m to the East of England’s sailing heritage. Two separate restoration projects will preserve and bring to life three Norfolk Wherry Yachts and a Thames Sailing Barge, saving them for future generations to take to the water and relive the past.

Robyn Greenblatt, HLF’s Regional Manager in the East of England comments; “Sailing forms such an integral part of our heritage in the East, both as a key element of the industrial past and later leisure pursuits that allowed local people and visitors alike to explore the Broads as a holiday destination. 2005 is SeaBritain, a national year-long celebration of our maritime heritage; these projects will not only secure the future of these historically important vessels, but enable many more people to get onboard and experience first hand why they had such a big impact.”

Thalatta Centenary 2006, Maldon, Essex

The East Coast Sail Trust has received a grant of £527,500 from HLF for the restoration of the ‘Thalatta’, a rare working example of a Thames Sailing Barge that has been in commission since 1906.

The funded work will include major structural repairs to the hull that will significantly increase its lifespan and enable greater use of the vessel through onboard events and activities throughout the year, such as training and education activities for young people through the summer months. The major conservation work required is designed to see the Thalatta through her second centenary. 

Thames Sailing Barges were developed as a by product of London’s expansion in the 19th Century, when smaller vessels were needed to carry cargoes between large ships in the capital’s dockland and smaller ports in the Thames Estuary such as Ipswich, Colchester and Woodbridge. Upon completion of the restoration work, which will take place over successive winter periods, ‘Thalatta’ will be used in the winter as well as summer months for a range of activities, and is expected to attract a further 1,400 people on board each year.

Joe Brannigan, Chairman of the East Coast Sail Trust said: ‘This is really wonderful news for all those hundreds of people who have supported the work of Thalatta over the years.

“Since she started her new life in 1967, after 60 years carrying cargoes to many ports, it’s amazing to realise that over ten thousand young people have enjoyed the unique “Thalatta experience” of sailing a majestic Thames Barge around the many creeks and rivers of the East Coast.”

‘Now it will be possible to refurbish her hull over time and make her fitter and stronger so that she will continue to be able to provide “five-days in another world” for more and more young people as the Barge goes forward into her next hundred years.’

Wherries ‘Hathor’ ‘Olive’ and ‘Norada’  - Norfolk and Suffolk Broads

HLF has made a funding pledge of £492,500 to the Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust to acquire and restore three Norfolk Wherries. ‘Hathor’, ‘Norada’ and ‘Olive’ are included in the National Register of Historic Vessels and were built between 1905 and 1912.

Pleasure Wherries and Wherry Yachts were pleasure craft adapted from the cargo carrying vessels found on the Broads up to the beginning of the 20th Century, and are intrinsically linked to the transition of the Norfolk Broads at that time from commercial waterways to popular holiday destination. The Trust has been awarded a Stage One Pass*, an indication of support from HLF meaning that the money has been set aside and will be rolled out when a second, more detailed proposal is worked up and approved.

In order to open up the heritage of the Wherries and the ecological and cultural heritage of the Broads to as many people as possible, the wherries will be operated as working vessels available for general charter, and also as a resource for schools and young people to explore their history. They will be based at How Hill, Staithe for six weeks in early summer each year for educational use, allowing young people and others to develop understanding and interest in the traditions and conservation of the Broads. The project will involve volunteers in the repair, maintenance and operation of the Wherries, as well as employing three staff to oversee restoration work and education activities.

Aitken Clark Chairman of Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust, comments: ”The generous funding pledge announced by the Heritage Lottery Fund is a timely and vital boost towards ensuring the future of the iconic trio ‘Hathor’ ‘Olive’ and ‘Norada’. The elegant passage of the wherries on the shallow waterways of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads symbolises for many thousands of visitors the essence of the natural and cultural heritage of this very special National Park.

The Trust is greatly encouraged by this endorsement of the heritage value of the wherries and will work hard to secure the full award.”