A Norfolk charity working to restore heritage maritime wooden boats has announced some exciting summer projects.

People involved with Rescue Wooden Boats, based in Stiffkey, are also delighted with the progress that has been made since it was established three years ago, and optimistic about the charity's future.

Rescue Wooden Boats patron Robin Combe, who owns the Bayfield Hall Estate, near Holt, said: 'I think it is absolutely marvellous what they are doing here. This is going to become one the of the jewels in north Norfolk's crown and it will be on every visitor's wish list.

'What I like in particular is how this is not a static museum. It is a charity that is constantly moving forward with boat restoration work on-going that visitors can see and experience.'

A summer events programme, raising money for the charity, includes:

An exhibition on the life of Wells fisherman and artist Jack Cox, who would have been 100 this year, at Rescue Wooden Boats' visitor centre at The Old Military Camp, Greenway, Stiffkey, between July 26 and August 2.

Displays of boats, art and an auction of nautical treats at Bayfield Hall on August 6 from 4pm to 8pm. People will be able to bid for places on the Lucy Lavers lifeboat, which is being restored by Rescue Wooden Boats, for each stage of its return trip to Dunkirk.

A concert from The Banned on August 9 featuring jazz and music from the 1960s.

Rescue Wooden Boats will be present at the Burnham Market Craft Fair on August 16.

A weekend to celebrate the life of renowned crab boat builder Billy May with films, displays and boats at Stiffkey from August 23 to August 25.

Rescue Wooden Boats has also unveiled new displays at its Stiffkey visitor centre, funded by a Norfolk Coastal Partnership grant, which celebrate Norfolk's fishing heritage.

New films capturing stories of how wooden boats were used locally for whelk fishing, crab fishing, wooden boat building and the Stiffkey Military Camp's history are also being shown.

Work has also progressed well on Rescue Wooden Boats' flagship project, restoring the Dunkirk veteran lifeboat Lucy Lavers.

And a new education and room is being developed at Stiffkey, thanks to a grant from Fishing Local Action Group, and preparations are being made for school visits from the autumn term.

The visitor centre is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10am until 4pm and also on Wednesdays, during school holidays, from 10am until 4pm.

For more about the charity see www.rescuewoodenboats.com, telephone Wendy Pritchard on 07920 760238, or e mail info@rescuewoodenboats.com

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