Newsletter - Summer 2008 - Page 1

Greetings from the "Wheelhouse"

You will know that "Thalatta" is undergoing a major refurbishment at the present time.

The view from the "Wheelhouse" has been rather different for most of this year. By the end of February the shipwrights had reached the stage where all the planking on each side had been completed up to the water line and the deck beams had been fastened in place. This meant that the "Old Lady's" hull would be firm and safe under the big cover on the pontoon.

It had been recognised that the Trust’s Restoration Fund was not keeping up fast enough with the cost of the work being achieved so it was mutually agreed with the Boatyard and the Shipwrights, that there needed to be a pause or slow down in the work until fresh funds could be obtained.

So until recently, there was far less activity to view. 

Serious canvassing to many sources over the next few months eventually produced some very helpful donations to build up our "matching fund" position. Now however over 90% of the funds needed, including the Heritage Lottery Fund share, are now in place..