Many thanks to all those of you who've already got wind of this project and donated memories, pictures, factoids and all the small and seemingly insignificant details that together will make 'Pure magic' into a great story. (Robert Harris, Chris Rathbone,David Child, Guy Gurney, Keith Callaghan and Pat Blake are amongst those who all deserve an early vote of thanks). Long term forumites may well recall that the notion for a new book was kicking around a couple of seasons back but sadly the project stalled, with the early research held in archive. 

The good news is that for the last few months, work has not only restarted but has raced ahead, the new book already has a structure and complete chapters. My intention is to build a chronological timeline for the 'backbone' of the story, so rather than having separate chapters for boatbuilders and rigs, if something happened in 19XX,be it a design, a rule change or a development (even those that didn't work)it will be described on that pages that detail that period in time!

I've already uncovered a fair few as yet 'unpublished' but interesting facts - sadly some of the more sensational ones will end up on the cutting room floor, as I run a strict requirement for multiple sources to corroborate what happened at various situations. This is very important, memory being what it is, it is so easy for the passage of time to blur what actually haappened.

As with the International Contender book that I did a few years back, I like to work from 'primary' material and the best way of getting this is to get out there and interview key 'movers and shakers' - where possible this will be done not only on audio but on video too. Not only will this give a great record of who said what, but it hopefully will allow a parallel activity to run that sees the creation of an interesting audio visual presentation. 

I understand that some people are not happy about recalling and then retelling their story, as those who have already declined know, I will fully respect this and there is nothing more than needs to be said.

For those who access Facebook, I've created a Facebook page where there will be regular updates on progress, complete with pictures. I'll also put updates on here, though the posting of interesting pictures is not so easy.

As I said, the core of the book works forward chronologically, I'm now at the start of the 1970s, but I'm light on some details of the 1971-74 Nationals (Plymouth, falmouth, Poole and Pwllheli) so if anyone out there has any good stories about who did what and when, I hope they will allow them to be shared in the book. Like wise pictures, if you've got a photo that 'says something' and are happy to let it appear, then thanks in advance.

As the book progresses  - in real terms through 2013, the timeline will draw ever closer to the present so I hope that a good few of you will be getting the 'call' with a request for an interview.

For now though, if anybody has a question I can be reached at
[email protected]

whilst the facebook page can be seen at

http://www.facebook.com/MerlinRocketBook
 
Thanks for all the help so far and in anticipation of all the help to come, the class has a great story to tell, I hope I do it justice!

regards

Dougal
PS - Ian Holt - I emailed you using the contact details from when we were talking before but I got this bounced back - please call using the details shown above.

D

If you want I have some pictures and could put in some comments about the impact of the University of Sheffield on the Merlin Rocket scene from the late 60's early 70's when they were lucky enough to sail Merlins

If you want I have some pictures and could put in some comments about the impact of the University of Sheffield on the Merlin Rocket scene from the late 60's early 70's when they were lucky enough to sail Merlins

Martin.... by all means send me some details and if I can use it I will!
D

I can pick up where Martin leaves off if you want info on the later years of University of Sheffield Merlin sailing-I was there 72-7.  After I left (no co-incidence I hope) they had 2 top 6 results at the inlands (Richard Russell 6th in 79, Ricky Tagg 5th in 81)-then sold the fleet and bought Tasers instead.

If either of you have any pictures or 'good' info then now is a great time. I'm right at the David Speirs era, so the timing is fortuitous!

D

David
I have the 1951 Year Book and nearly all the year books from 1962 onwards. If I can be of any help with information from those books please don't hesitate to contact me.

I have all the year books from 1964 onwards, so any that Tony does not have I can supply!

I am away skiing now, but in the New year I will send you some photos as well as some words of Speirs with a certain young Tessa, now Mrs Pike, purely from a sailing point of view of course.

Can anybody give me Geoff Wright's email address, so I can forward on to him the details I have written for David

Okay.... work continues with the book though I'm currently in the era of NSMs and Summer Wines (to say nothing of struts and Morrison wires) and I need some help - please.

I have two names - Carey Lescure and Barry Wilkinson.

Barry might well have hailed from the North/Leeds/Bolton but I've no idea at all on Carey.

So, does anyone have any ideas on how either of these two people could be contacted?

Many thanks
Dougal

Okay.... work continues with the book though I'm currently in the era of NSMs and Summer Wines (to say nothing of struts and Morrison wires) and I need some help - please.

I have two names - Carey Lescure and Barry Wilkinson.

Barry might well have hailed from the North/Leeds/Bolton but I've no idea at all on Carey.

So, does anyone have any ideas on how either of these two people could be contacted?

Many thanks
Dougal

David,  I think Carey Lescure may be Paddy Atkinson's sister Carey. May be wildy out as it's 30 years next year since I left Bolton, but it may be worth checking out.  Regards

Nick,

Many thanks - I've only just realised that you were part of the Bolton mafia! But that is a greal 'link' and as you're the second person to suggest that line of search, I'll see what I can find.

So, does anyone have any contact details for Paddy Atkinson? As far as I know, he's down west, possibly Cornwall.

D

You could try Roy Axford, who sailed Merlins for many years at Belmont. I don't have a mail address but 01204 415 927.

Dougal
Paddy Atkinson, his address and phone number are listed in the 2013 MROA Year Book. 
Apparently he owns 3426 Buckle Up at Bolton SC.

Many thanks to everybody for helping me with this! As you all know, I was trying to track down Carey lescure (she took some 'special' pictures at Abersoch!! Well, the lady now lives in France BUT the good news is that her brother Paddy Atkinson, he of Bolton Mafia fame, is able to help. What is more, Paddy was a wonderful source of detail...from Phil and JT sailing Summer Wine, to the story behind the story of Aspiration (aka 'the Iron Lung') to a really 'must include' tale of how a 7s 6d insurance policy coped with the flooding of the underground garage at Hyde Park! A 300 page book??? Forget it - make that 305! Dougal

Dougal – it would be good to hook up face-to-face.  Are you going to Salcombe this weekend?

Cary Lescure - long time partner of Stu Nixon - sister of Paddy Atkinson - worked on the Eden Project. Good friend of Ned Sparrow - Nice Lady

I was told it was Jim Crawford who raced some kind of huge and dangerous 5 litre cars in the US, whose merlin mast popped off all the sprinklers in the Car Park in Park Lane on the way to ??? wedding - flooded all the Ferraris and Maseratis - legal action still going on to this day,(well that day) according to late Ned Sparrow - so it must have been true

Richard: I'd love to but am stuck here trying to get this s***ing chapter finished! I'm getting there but it is a slow process! What I'd like to do is to take a swing through the South West and visit you, Jon and a number of other 'movers and shakers'. I'm not sure how to do this; do I try and interview you and Jon before doing Barry Dunning and Alan Warren or after? I'll then do the Midlands as another trip, then the North..
I'd have come down before now but for the weather, as soon as there is something of a thaw I'll be wanting to catch up with you.
'the gurn'....yes, a long telephone interview with Paddy the other day, he is on the case for me!
And now the next question! Bill Brockbank....anyone with contact details?
Cheers all,
Dougal

Try: [email protected] (Now sailing Solos)

Slolo's?  Hmm... no accounting for taste...

Hi Dougal
No worries – contact Jon to arrange a visit: 07712 436745.

No accounting for apostrophies either!

Richard.
Be scared...in fact, be very scared! Am just writing about you at Whitstable (yes, 1983..... 30 years ago!) roller skating past the restaurant, your hair and 'that' speech at the Prize Giving!
Your secrets are safe with me! (not)

Dougal

Slolo's, never heard of them but I used to sail some really nice single handers called Solos at Minima Y.C. in the 50s and 60s.