Campaign to save last Hastings wooden fishing boat extended

The campaign was started by Peter Carney, who founded the Hastings Wooden Boats Group, and aims to raise £5,000. After an initial slow start, the sum raised now stands at £1,924 and has been extended for another month in the hope of reaching its target.

The boat ‘Felicity’ can currently be seen on the beach, close the the lifeboat station.

Clinker built in 1980 by H J Phillips Boatbuilders in Rye and originally named Our Pam & Peter, her construction was once the subject of a BBC documentary.

For many years she was worked by the brothers who own her, carrying forward Hastings’ proud beach-fishing tradition. When she ceased work and was deregistered two years ago, it was the end of an era stretching back for many centuries. Now Felicity faces an uncertain future. It has been proposed to turn her into an ornamental building for a private garden, which would involve cutting her in half.

Peter Carney said: This would mean losing a remarkable working boat and an irreplaceable part of our maritime heritage. Hastings Fishermen’s Museum and volunteer group Hastings Wooden Boats want to secure Felicity for display near the Museum, where she can remain a proud reminder of the town’s ancient working maritime tradition.

“We want to save Felicity (RX58), keeping her heritage afloat for all. She is the last of her line in so many ways.

“Your donation will help cover the purchase, preparation for display, and the start of a long-term maintenance programme. Every contribution brings us closer to keeping this beautiful vessel intact, in Hastings, for the wonder and inspiration of future generations.”

You can support the appeal by donating at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/felicity-hastings