Busy schooner coming home

THE HISTORIC three-masted schooner, the Kathleen and May, is due to return to Bideford today.

The tall ship has been away for four months sailing the Bristol Channel and Irish Sea as well as crossing to France to collect a cargo of wine for shipment to Ireland.

A spokesman said: "This year has been an exciting time for the ship and the crew, visiting many new ports for the first time since her restoration, including Padstow."

The vessel has also visited Plymouth, Dartmouth, Bristol, Wales and Cumbria.

She sailed the Bristol channel once more in the company of her sister ship, Irene, which was burnt out in the Caribbean in 2002 and rebuilt.

The two ships were once a familiar sight together in West Country ports and this is the first time they have sailed together in 40 years.

Sacha Hall, sailing master, has worked on both ships.

He said: "Their was a tear in my eye when she rounded the headland and we passed down the Welsh coast abeam of each other."

The Kathleen and May is due to pass the Bideford bar around 5.30pm today and arrive at the Quay at about 6.15pm.