Falmouth Sail Training Ship Hardiesse' left her winter berth on Good Friday to head down to her summer mooring. It has been a busy winter with the construction of a new coach roof, the rebuilding of the hundred year old winch and the refurbishment of the reefing gear.

Every year, volunteers, young and old, strip the ship to bare masts, storing and refitting the topmast, yard, gaffs, bowsprit and running rigging. The hundreds of shackles and the blocks are serviced as well as the sails, the engine and the rigging. It takes six months of hard work to keep the Hardiesse shipshape' but a lot of skills can be learnt or passed on during the winter maintenance.

Now the sailing season has arrived, the T S Hardiesse is waiting to be used by the local youth. If organisations are interested, phone the skipper, Chris Stone, on 01326 312146 to arrange to go on board, lend a hand and find out about the sailing programme for the summer.