Boat that inspired children's author Arthur Ransome celebrates 90th birthday on the River Orwell

The boat that inspired children's author Arthur Ransome to write what many consider to be his best story is celebrating her 90th birthday on the River Orwell.

The stories of Swallows and Amazons have captured the imagination of children since they were published in 1930s and feature the Nancy Blackett, that is still a feature on the Suffolk river today.

The 7th book in Ransome's Swallows and Amazons series is "We didn't mean to go to sea"

Thought by many to be his best work, it's a story very much centred around boat Nancy Blackett, or the Goblin as it's known to Ransome's readers.

Sue Coales, at the Nancy Blackett Trust said:

Ransome bought Nancy Blackett in 1935, naming her after one of his characters and she was at Pin Mill, near Ipswich, where the story begins.

Peter Willis, President of the Nancy Blackett Trust said:

There are lots of local references in the book that make it clear that Arthur Ransome knew this area very well and it was on board Nancy where he worked on his story.

Victoria Lampard’s report includes pupils from Framlingham college, who have been out enjoying their time on the boat.

Ransome only kept Nancy for three years and by the 1980s she was found deteriorating badly in Scarborough harbour.

By chance, her next owner Mike Rines lived in Suffolk and he  brought her home to be restored.

In 1997 the boat was purchased by the newly formed Nancy Blackett Trust which now has hundreds of members all over the world.

Even at the great age of 90, Nancy continues to grace the Orwell and the dedicated team of volunteers at the Trust will ensure many others get a glimpse into a world created by Arthur Ransome.