A historic Dorset fishing vessel - the Lerret

The launch of the Lerret Littlesea at Lyme Regis, July 2010

[picture: Martin Haswell]

A unique sea-going heritage project will be launched in Lyme Regis on Sunday May 22 in celebration of the historic Dorset fishing vessel the Lerret. Led by Lyme Regis Museum and boatbuilder Gail McGarva it tells the story of the Lerret and its fisherfolk through the creation of a touring exhibition and an oral history archive.

The day of celebration begins at 11am at Cobb Gate beach when newly-built Lerret Littlesea and her motherboat Vera of 1923 will be launched and ceremonially rowed to the Cobb. The boats will land at Victoria Pool (the Cobb) where there will be an evocative exhibition, including photographs of Lerret fisherfolk, and a storytelling tent in which to hear recorded Lerret memories surrounded by nets, floats, pots and stones of those fishing days. Visitors with memories of Lerret fishing that they would like to share can record their stories, which will be added to the museum’s archive.

Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, this Story of the Lerret exhibition together with Littlesea and Vera will tour the Jurassic Coast throughout the summer.

THE STORY OF THE LERRET TOUR

SUNDAY 22 MAY – LYME REGIS
Lerrets Littlesea and Vera are launched at 11am from Cobb Gate with a ceremonial row to Victoria Pool (the Cobb). The exhibition there is open all day.

FRI-SUN 10-12 JUNE – BEALE PARK WOODEN BOAT SHOW, THE THAMES AT PANGBOURNE
The Lerrets and the exhibition are part of the Watercraft (wooden boats magazine) stand. The Lerrets are rowed across the lake throughout the weekend.

SUNDAY 26 JUNE – BURTON BRADSTOCK BEACH
In partnership with The National Trust, the Lerrets and the exhibition are on the pebbles of the beach.

SUNDAY 3 JULY – SPIRIT OF THE SEA FESTIVAL SANDSFOOT CASTLE, WEYMOUTH
The Lerrets and the exhibition are on display in the castle gardens overlooking the sea.

MON-SAT 4-9 JULY – SPIRIT OF THE SEA FESTIVAL PORTLAND MUSEUM
The Lerrets and the exhibition are in residence in the gardens of Portland Museum all week.

SUNDAY 10 JULY - SPIRIT OF THE SEA FESTIVAL ‘REVIVE THE LERRET’ AT CHISWELL.
A procession with the Lerrets through the streets of Chiswell, finishing on Chesil Beach, where the exhibition will be and, weather permitting, launch of the boats for a ceremonial row.

SAT 16 JULY – QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOLARSHIP TRUST DAY, DORNEY LAKE, ETON COLLEGE
The exhibition is on the lakeside and a Lerret water display will be on the lake.

SAT/SUN 6/7 AUGUST – THE SWANNERY, ABBOTSBURY
The Lerrets and exhibition are in the grounds of the Swannery, amidst the beautiful setting of the Fleet and Chesil Beach.

MON-SUN 19-25 SEPTEMBER – LYME REGIS MUSEUM
The Lerrets and exhibition on the sea terrace of the museum throughout the week, overlooking the beauty of Lyme Bay.

THUR 22-FRI 30 OCT – HISTORY OF MARITIME LYME EXHIBITION, THE MALTHOUSE, LYME REGIS
The Lerrets and their stories are at the heart of this historical maritime exhibition in celebration of Maritime Lyme 2011.

For additional information on Maritime Lyme 2011 programme of events see
www.maritimelyme.co.uk/programme/home

[Based on a Museum Press Release]