Coble set to sail again after restoration

The last surviving traditional fishing boat built in Flamborough is being restored with the aim of it being able to sail again.

Imperialist, a coble built in 1934, was bought recently by Ian and Julie Coultas after they feared it would be sold and taken away from the East Yorkshire coast.

Julie said: "I really couldn't bear that, so we've decided to buy it. She'll be restored and put back to sea either towards the end of this year or the beginning of next year."

Imperialist will be on display at the annual Bridlington Sailing Coble Festival this weekend.

The coble was, at one time, the mainstay of the inshore fishing industry along the north-east coast of England.

Just a few examples remain, with the traditional fishing boat-building method using larch planks on grown oak timbers now replaced with glass-reinforced plastic and steel.

Julie said her affection for Imperialist dated back to her teenage years.

"I actually first saw her when I was 16 when I used to come to Flamborough on holiday with my family and she was always the coble at North Landing that took out the visitors," she said.

"I think she was the special one at North Landing because she was only called upon when they were very, very busy.

"The other two cobles, Dennis and Boy's Own, had to do most of the work, but she was the special one. So that's why she's sort of in my heart, really."

The restoration work is being carried out under the guidance of John Clarkson, a retired local coble builder.

It is anticipated Imperialist will be back in the harbour next year and rigged in the traditional manner for the Sailing Coble Festival.

The oldest coble taking part in this year's event is Venus. Built in Hartlepool in 1900, she was restored by the Bridlington Sailing Coble Preservation Society in 2021.

Free Spirit and Gansey Lass will also be on display.

They were built on the harbourside at Bridlington 2014 and are "probably the very last cobles to be built anywhere", according to the society.

As well as the cobles, the event will feature live music, stands and displays, including one outlining the work of the North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.

Paul Arro from the society said: "Bridlington is very fortunate to have a fleet of eight cobles in the harbour, all year round, and we've been managing to bring some visiting cobles in over the past 10 years, and it just makes it a very interesting event altogether."

Listen to highlights fromHull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, and watch the latest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices