OUR NEW BOAT - SERAFINA
Serafina by Anne
To view larger thumbnails click here.
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The new boat build is Andrew Nancarrows 13th Boat… and the keel has been laid. The planking began in September, and the finished boat will be with us at the start of the New Year Her name will be Serafina.
Jo Burbridge, local sawmiller from Flushing, sourced a felled Cornish Elm from Trevarno Gardens, making Nankerseys pilot gig the first built of Cornish Elm for nearly 10 years (most new builds are built of Scandinavian elm these days).The boat is being built here:
Berrynarbour,
Off Grenna Lane,
Bissoe,
Near Truro
TR4 8SX
Please click here for a map and directions.
Please note that if using a satnav the postcode does not take you to exactly the right place!
Please use the link above to see the exact location. (Or ask Barney or Robbie!)
The new build has been made available with grant funding from Sport England (£10,000), Cornwall Community Grass Roots (£2,500) and the purchase of old fashioned 64th’s. Planks are still available to purchase at £180 – you could own a piece of history as these boats will be around a long time after we are gone – Bonnet on the Isles of Scilly is over 100 years old!
Just email Annie or call 01326 376922,.
NEW BOAT NAME SUGGESTIONS: That's it now! Lines closed! Any more suggestions will not be counted and may be charged &c &c
See Annie's email to all members as to how to vote........What a choice!!
Nankersey – a wooden launch built in 1951 by Falmouth Boat Construction. She was 23 gross tons and had a small saloon and upper deck. She was the Flushing Ferry from 1951 to 1976 and then worked for the St Mawes Ferry Company who gave her a raised bridge and small funnel. She was sold in 1994 and renamed Lady Victoria Belle – there are no records of her post 1998.
Pencarven – look at an old map of Nankersey, and you will see that Flushing Sailing Club is built on Pencarven Point…
Alargh Gwyn – Cornish for White Swan, our club logo
Alargh Du – Cornish for Black Swan!
Cerridwen – Welsh Moon Goddess
Morrigan - Celtic Mood Goddess
Mor Mergh - Cornish for Sea Horse
Morgawr – Cornish for Sea Giant - a monster which allegedly resides in Falmouth Bay.. According to the myth there have been documented sighting for many years. The monster (a long necked sea serpent similar in appearance to Nessie) favours calm conditions and hot summers for an appearance.
Perseides – the Greek name from which Perseids are derived – shooting stars or meteors
Selene/Artemis/Etruscan/Zirna – Greek moon Goddesses!
Phoebe – One of the Titans who directed the Moon, whilst her brother Hyperion drove the Sun
Nanna, Mani or Mithras – all Mood Gods
Helios – Greek Sun God
Perse/Aeetes/Medea – Circes Mother/Sister/Niece
Kraken
Eostre – Anglo/Saxon goddess of the moon, associated with Spring, rebirth and Hares(where we get Easter bunnies from)
Kersey - its the name of the steeply sloping south facing field overlooking Flushing. You get the first sight of Flushing from here when entering via the footpath from the north and its the last part of Flushing as you leave via the same route. The name is Cornish, it's short and easy to say / shout with no ambiguity about pronunciation - and it rhymes with Circe
Ulysses, - obvious connection with Circe....
St Piran, - the Cornish Saint.
Falcon, which is the meaning of Circe's name?
Helios, Father's name
Perse, Mother's name
Hecate, also Mother's name
Aeetes, - sister
Pasiphae, sister
Penelope, the model of faithfulness and virtue
Scylla, might worry adjacent gigs in a close race…
Seraphina. No particular reason -liked the character Seraphina Pekkala in His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Betsy. Come on Betsy!!!
OUR FIRST BOAT - CIRCE
It was on the 26th September 2008 that a trailer carrying the gig "CIRCE" arrived at Windsport, bearing the colours of Truro River Rowing Club, from whom it had been bought. This had been made possible following a £10,000 loan provided by a Flushing resident, and the additional help of Founder Member subsriptions of £500 each. A small mad band of enthusiasts spent many an hour working together to refurbish the boat, - and many thanks go to JB, Malcolm, Pat, Ken and Sue, Barney and Sue. Annie wasn't there, but left good instructions and enjoyed her holiday,-to be delighted on her return that most of her instructions had been followed!
After two months of perspiration and anticipation, Circe was ready for the dedication ceremony, led by the Rev. Antony Phillips in front of an enthusiastic crowd. (see Ken's poems Poems), and Circe was duly blessed.
But why call the boat "Circe"? Who was she?
Circe
The current pilot gig Circe was built in 1995 by Andrew Nancarrow, his first gig, however many gigs have held that name over the years. In 1950, a set of moulds for building a gig was discovered in the sheds of the famous gig builders at Polvarth. In the corner of the plans, a shipwright had inscribed Arrow & Sursey – the shipwright knew what the name Circe sounded like but did not know how to spell it!
There is a model of the gig Circe in the County Museum.
Where the Name Circe originally came from: Greek Goddess Circe – a personification of the moon, lived on Aeaea and was visited by Ulysses and his crew who split into two groups. The fist group made their way to her palace where Circe received her self invited guests graciously and ordered a great feast. Disgusted by their greedy behaviour, Circe started from her seat and bade them assume the form of swine (pigs!)…Ulysses set out to rescue his comrades and with magical spells, powerful herbs and Mercury’s assistance (together with a threat to Circes life); Circe agreed to comply with Ulysses wishes and his comrades were returned to human form…