Last updated at 16:42, Thursday, 30 August 2012

THE crew onboard the last boat to be built in Ulverston is set to feature in a top BBC TV programme.

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The Hearts of Oak was restored after more than 30 years of hard work led by Jennifer Snell.

The boat, which recently celebrated its centenary, was filmed for the BBC’s Countryfile programme, sailing off the shores of Roa Island last Friday with the castle of Piel Island providing a splendid backdrop.

“It was a lovely, delightful, beautiful day. The sun was shining and Matt Baker was charming,” said Mrs Snell, chairwoman of the Hearts of Oak trust.

Ten hours were spent preparing and then filming and interviewing about the story behind the Morecambe Bay prawner.

Mrs Snell, 63, said: “I was really pleased and really proud that they should be interested in such a special boat to this area.”

The crew – skipper Brian Scott, Gordon Pitt and Tony Adamson, were filmed on board with presenter Matt Baker stepping in to help raise the sails.

The historic boat, which once rescued downed pilots during the Second World War, was filmed visiting Piel Island, where Matt Baker delivered two chickens to the King of Piel Steve Chattaway, the island’s pub landlord.

During the day, Matt Baker met Jean Worton, 89, of Holme, whose mother, Polly, launched the boat in 1912.

Mrs Snell spent 35 years researching and tracking down the boat that was built by the last ever apprentice of the once thriving Ulverston shipyard.

In 1999 an opportunity to buy the boat arose and the dilapidated vessel was returned to Ulverston where GlaxoSmithKline held it in storage.

Eventually a lottery grant and several donors, including the North-West Evening Mail’s charitable trust, funded the restoration.

In 2008 the boat returned from Wales, where the restoration had taken place, and it is now sailed by members of the trust.

The trust is looking for new members, with an annual fee of £12 a year.

Countryfile, featuring the Hearts of Oak, will be broadcast on Sunday, September 9 on BBC One at 7.30pm.

First published at 16:30, Wednesday, 29 August 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk