The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
This film is part of Free
East Coast Old Gaffers' Race
Sailing craft with the distinctive 'gaff' rigs feature in this record of the race held on the Blackwater Estuary, the largest estuary in Essex.
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Overview
Along the south shore of the Blackwater Estuary is a quiet place, Ramsey Island, though it is not an island at all, and most sailing people know it as Stone. Stone Point is the start and finishing place for the Old Gaffers Race. In 1987, David Cleveland made a film about the annual event and the boats taking part. Any craft with a gaff rig is eligible for the Old Gaffers’ race, though many of the craft taking part are smacks – lovingly restored fishing boats peculiar to the East coast.
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