Complete Refurbishment
The Helen II was in need of a full program of restoration and a Trust was formed to manage this. Conwy Council provided initial funding and space on the quay at Conwy to enable the reconstruction work to take place.
Few Nobbies survive and those that are left are maintained by keen owners, including some Trust members – but there were few a big as Helen, mainly as they had to be handled by just one man and a lad. Helen’s size will enable us to take groups out to sea, to explore the local waters and their own abilities.
The Helen is being rebuilt on the quay at Conwy using traditional methods and incorporating young students from Llandrillo College’s associated training courses, under the supervision of skilled craftsmen. The college students have all the facilities they need on campus but have nothing on which they can apply their learnt skills. The work is open to visitors to see and we also have local volunteers who are involved.
When finished Helen will be used to take girls and boys from all backgrounds and abilities to experience traditional sailing and see our marine life in a boat that was built for speed and safety. They will be able to understand that one needs to rely on other members of the team to safely master the sea and tides.
To assist in raising income in the future, the boat will also be available for youth education, team building exercises and to represent Conwy at traditional heritage events.
Trustees and Volunteers alike are passionate to keep our maritime history alive and encourage young people to become involved.
Few Nobbies survive and those that are left are maintained by keen owners, including some Trust members – but there were few a big as Helen, mainly as they had to be handled by just one man and a lad. Helen’s size will enable us to take groups out to sea, to explore the local waters and their own abilities.
The Helen is being rebuilt on the quay at Conwy using traditional methods and incorporating young students from Llandrillo College’s associated training courses, under the supervision of skilled craftsmen. The college students have all the facilities they need on campus but have nothing on which they can apply their learnt skills. The work is open to visitors to see and we also have local volunteers who are involved.
When finished Helen will be used to take girls and boys from all backgrounds and abilities to experience traditional sailing and see our marine life in a boat that was built for speed and safety. They will be able to understand that one needs to rely on other members of the team to safely master the sea and tides.
To assist in raising income in the future, the boat will also be available for youth education, team building exercises and to represent Conwy at traditional heritage events.
Trustees and Volunteers alike are passionate to keep our maritime history alive and encourage young people to become involved.
Councillor Geronwy Edwards set out the Council’s interest in the project:
“The Council is delighted to be associated with the return of a class of boat which has a long history of association with Conwy. John Crossfield set up his boatyard in Conwy over 100 years ago and produced many fine yachts and fishing boats with his sons. John Crossfield took over the Pensarn timber yard by the Castle Walls and the family subsequently had shares in St Georges Steamship Company, which operated from the Quayside. The Old Customs House by Porth Bach, now the harbour masters office, was used both as boatyard and company office. The wood for construction was delivered from Liverpool by steamer and the framing came from Denbigh by rail. The restoration project will enable people to learn traditional marine skills and, when complete, to be introduced to offshore sailing as volunteer crew”