Coch-y-bonddhu

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How you can see Coch-y-bonddhu on display at Windermere St Anne's School.

Introduction

Coch-y-bonddhu is a clinker-built lugsail dinghy owned by Arthur Ransome for the two decades between the mid-1930s and mid-50s. She is, therefore, the vessel that he owned the longest. She also made a fictional appearance, as Dick and Dorothea Callum's dinghy Scarab in The Picts and the Martyrs.

Coch-y-bonddhu (Cochy) belongs to The Arthur Ransome Society. She is currently on display at Windermere St Anne's School and is open to the public, at no charge, by arrangement with the School.

History

In 1934 Ransome aspired to introduce a close friend, Charles Renold, to sailing. He therefore persuaded Renold to commission a dinghy from Crossfield's in Arnside, the firm who most probably built Swallow. Ransome oversaw the build on Renold's behalf and the finished dinghy was called Coch-y-bonddhu, after a well-known fishing fly.

Renold did not take to sailing and soon gave Coch-y-bonddhu to Ransome. He took Cochy with him to Suffolk in 1935, and then returned with her to the shores of Coniston between 1940 and 1944, during which period she was a familiar sight on the lake. It was during this period that Ransome wrote The Picts and the Martyrs.

Cochy remained in Ransome's possession until the mid-1950s. She was subsequently owned by Arnside School. 

At some point Cochy moved north to Scotland where, by the early 1990's, she was rotting in the grounds of a hotel. Rediscovered by TARS members, she was completely restored to sailing condition by the Society before being relaunched in 1995. She now belongs to TARS and has been used frequently at members' events, giving members the rare chance to sail one of Arthur Ransome's own dinghies for themselves. Cochy has also made a number of appearances in TV documentaries about Arthur Ransome.

Until 2006, Cochy was kept on public display during summertime at Windermere Steamboat Museum. Following that museum's closure for restoration, she spent several months in Falmouth during the summer of 2008, on display at the National Maritime Museum.

From September, 2008, Cochy has been on year-round display at Windermere St Anne's School. 

Going to see Coch-y-bonddhu

Windermere St Anne's is open year round, except for a short period over the Christmas holiday. There is no entry fee to visit and view Cochy.

To arrange a visit, please call the School on 015394 46164

You can find out more about Windermere St Anne's at the school website, and also download an information sheet giving travel directions to the School

Both TARS and Windermere St Anne's ask that the public respect the fact that the school may be working at the time of your visit.

Please note also that Cochy may be absent from time to time at TARS events. Please do arrange your visit in advance to avoid disappointment.