I've just heard the sad news that Jack Chippendale died on Friday. I interviewed Jack as recently as last year and found that despite some underlying health issues, he was bright, cheery and full of fun tales from his days of working with Ian Proctor on the Nat 12s and Merlins. One of his many stories was the first Rocket he built, at a time when most timber was still rationed. But he had access to a supply of Hemlock, so he planked the boat up in that and it looked great. For the hog he used a length of timber salvaged from an old sailing barge, which he very carefully ran through the power tools, fearful that there might still be some old 'fixings' that he'd not removed. |
A true gentleman who grew old gracefully whilst putting so much back to the art of boatbuilding. His boatbuilding continued long past his dinghy days with skiffs through to Broads Cruisers. |
Great character. Used to enjoy his mugs of tea when I called on him at his boatyard when working for Jack Holt. Always had to take dounuts! |
Jack's memorial service is at 2.00 PM on the 30th March at Thunsted Church Norfolk. |
Sorry it is Tunstead just north of Wroxham. |
Met Jack a couple of years ago at a Wroxham vintage dinghy meeting. I had on of his 12's "Cinzano" N1777 which I had just restored. He was genuinely delighted to see the boat and was very complementry about my workmanship. A delightful gentleman. |
Mike, |
I was most impressed and relieved when I finally saw my ebay purchase of 1074 after I had removed the peeling stained varnish to find a beautifully built boat. Of course a Chippendale. Although only minimally repainted and varnished, before finding out if she leaked/sailed,she still looks "proper" and has the original woodwork and fittings - not bad for a boat made 50 years ago. |
Melissa from Times Obituaries Desk has just contacted me. She is writing an Obituary for Jack Chippendale, and would love to include any photos of the Merlin Rockets he built out sailing on the water within this. |
Telegraph obituary here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/technology-obituaries/9134728/Jack-Chippendale.html |
The obituary is in The Times today as well but you'll need to be a subscriber to see it on line! |
Of all the wonderful boats that Jack built how many Merlins and 12's did he make? Some famous boat builders served their apprenticeship at Chippendales. Who were they? This is for an aricle by Bob Fisher. |
Barry, |
Barry |
Thanks for that Tony. Do we have contact with any 12 sailors who could find out the number of 12's he built? |
Barry. Done it.... and I hope have captured more of the story of 'the boats that jack built' than the Obits in the Times and Telegraph. Now all I have to do is to plead with the team at Y&Y (who are very indulgent already with my inability to keep to a word count) that jack was such an important topic that an extra half page is worth it - when so much is happening elsewhere in the dinghy world!! |
Have just done a trawl through my N12 handbook and make it 328. The first 599 in 1948 and the last 2483 in 1970. |
David - please give me a call re. N1777 CinZano. I am in the M/R Year Book. |
Mike: Thanks, will do! Dougal |
Thanks to you both for that information. Now passed on to Bob. |
If I remember correctly Nat. 12 'Cinzano' no. 1777 was originally owned by John Chaplin. I think John was a member of Minima Y.C. and maybe other clubs including possibly Desborough S.C. and Ranelagh S.C. |
Quite correct Robert, definitely at Ranelagh with John Chaplin (when I had her I spoke with John - he was interested to hear about my restoration). She had a very destinctive low aspect rig (like 97 "Bucaneer") and red one side & blue the other and good Burton week record. I kept the colour scheme but put conventional rig on. She now belongs to John Meadowcroft. She is a Proctor VIII and is listed on the National Small Boat Register No.674. |
I was contacted this evening by Eric Harvey, who used to work for Jack Chippendale. A memorial service is being held 30th March at Tunstead Church (Norfolk) and they would like to display a few of his boats at Wroxham Barns (where he latterly worked) to co-incide with this. Is there anyone (I guess that it would be helpful if they were local to Wroxham) who would be able to provide a good condition boat for the day? I'm sure that MRs, N12s and FBs would all be welcome. I can pass on Eric's phone number if required. My day time number is 0116 201 5141. |
he has just been mention on the radio. "Last word". |
I thought Andrew Wolstenholme did very well!! I was pleased to see that he got the comment in about Tim Hockin (he of 1793 'Flamin-go') who was to sail the Typhoon with Eddie Warwick. Along with (I think) Dick Batt they had a lot of fun with Jack on the drive up to the Pennine event..... |
Bump for memorial service and boat request - also advertised on N12 and CVRDA sites. |