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Community Foundation North East recently visited Blyth Tall Ship to check on the restoration of a traditional coble boat, a project supported by a £30,000 grant.
The coble, previously named Adventure, was originally owned by John Brown of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea and gifted to Blyth Tall Ship by his family. The Browns are descendants of the Robinsons, a well-known fishing family in the region. The boat, which dates back to 1943, is now being restored by Blyth Tall Ship’s shipwrights, trainers and volunteers.
Su Legg, Senior Philanthropy Advisor at Community Foundation North East, said:
“It’s great to see how this funding is helping bring a piece of local history back to life. The coble has strong ties to the region’s fishing heritage, and the restoration is creating opportunities for people to learn new skills and connect with the past in a meaningful way.”
Funding for the project has come from three funds held at Community Foundation North East: the Prime Family Fund (£16,000), the Northumberland Group (£10,000), and the Platten Family Fund (£4,000). The aim is to make the coble sea-ready, offering sailing experiences and educational trips focused on green energy. These sessions will give passengers the chance to learn about wind power innovation while exploring the region’s maritime heritage.
Siobhan Sargeant, CEO of Blyth Tall Ship, noted:
“This project is about more than restoring a boat, it’s about preserving heritage and inspiring future generations. We’re proud to be working with the Community Foundation to make the coble a platform for learning, sailing, and storytelling.”
Community Foundation North East will return to Blyth Tall Ship on Friday 5 December as part of its Homecoming event programme, where expats, donors and regional leaders will be invited to view the progress made and join a special naming ceremony.
Find out more about Homecoming here.