Arnside Sailing Club are holding a second conference on Crossfields of Arnside Boatbuilders, following the success of the first one in 2019
Crossfields of Arnside were leading builders of gaff rigged yachts and Morecambe Bay Prawners (also known as Nobbies). They were active from the 1840s to 1940s. There are around 40 Crossfield Boats still in existence, including Bonita 1888 the oldest boat to take part in the 2013 OGA Round Britain Challenge. In 2018 Arnside Sailing Club brought Severn 1912 to have example of a Crossfields’ Boat in the village.
It is planned to include talks about Empress 1928, which is being restored prior to going out to the Mediterranean and Ziska 1903, which was shortlisted for the 2020 Classic Boat Awards. (Best Restoration for a boat under 40 foot and Gstaad Yacht Club Centenarian of the Year). Ziska is currently based in Port Townsend on the West Coast of America. In June 2019 Ziska took part in a Race2Alaska coming 22nd of 35 starters following a two-year restoration by her owner Stanford Siver.
Ziska
The afternoon will focus on the Sir William Priestley 1934, the Morecambe Fishermen’s Lifeboat and the different boats that have built from a mould taken from Sir William by Eric Bergqvist in 1979. Planned talks include Minx by Paul Jolley (South West OGA). The conference will also feature Freda which was built as the prototype for the Freda Class based on the design of the Sir William Priestley
Sir William Priestley Launch 1934
It is planned that the conference will be chaired by Eric Crossfield, great grandson of William Crossfield, who set up the boatyard on the shore at Arnside in the 1890s.
The conference has been postponed from March 2020 to October 2021
You can download further details of the conference here Conference details
For a report on 2019 conference https://oga.org.uk/news/arnside-2019
Tickets £24 including buffet lunch (any surplus will go towards the maintenance of Severn)
Social Activities
Friday 15th October
There should be a chance to meet up in the Sailing Club or a local pub
Saturday 16th October - Conference Supper
Conference supper at 7.30pm in Arnside Sailing Club on the Promenade (Price £10)
Sunday 17th October, 1045 - 1300
Optional Visit to Windermere Jetties: Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories
A chance to see the new Windermere Jetty a spectacular attraction with a great location, which includes steam boats, racing yachts and recording breaking motor boats. You are welcome to join their ‘conservation conversation’ at 11.00am outside the Conservation Workshop to find out more about the restoration and conservation work they do. Their theme for 2020 is Swallows and Amazons. Price £7.50 per person (group price)
Museums website https://windermerejetty.org/
Conference Venue:
Arnside Educational Institute
Church Hill, Arnside, LA5 0DF
To Book
To book fill in application form and return to crossfieldyachtsevern@gmail.com or by post to Alasdair Simpson, Friends of Severn, 30 Silverdale Road, Arnside, via Carnforth LA5 0DT
Crossfields of Arnside Conference Booking Form.docx
Payment can be made via
- BACs transfers – we will advise the code on the receipt of the booking form
- Cheque made out to Crossfield ‘s 1912 Yacht “Severn” and sent to Alasdair Simpson, Friends of Severn, 30 Silverdale Road, Arnside via Carnforth LA5 0DT
Donate to Severn's Restoration
You can donate to Severn's Restoration via https://peoplesfundraising.com/donation/severn-restoration