In the autumn we took Whimbrel’s ‘new’ sails over to Faversham for Wilkinson Sailmakers to carry out some servicing – a guarantee refit. They’d looked at my Genoa last summer and did a little bit of work … I was ‘chastised’ for not bringing the sails in after the completion of the first year. ‘Sorry…’ I said, adding, ‘This autumn be okay?’ and that was that.
It was by then nearly two years since I had collected the new sails. In the intervening period they have moved to the industrial estate on the site of Pollards Shipyard, opposite Standard Wharf. Their old loft still sits empty awaiting a decision about its future – residential apartments, I believe. 
Wilkinson Sails, Faversham.
In the mean time Whimbrel has been dressed with her old mainsail and jib – we haven’t bothered about the Genoa during the last few months … not essential for winter short sails!
We had driven over to Faversham two days earlier having decided to enjoy a couple of days being cosseted at The Sun Inn – very it was enjoyable too. Time was spent bumbling around the local area looking at a couple of ancient churches and as far away as Reculver – the old church towers and Roman fort – and the River Wantsum’s northern end. All very interesting…
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wantsum_Channel
I jokingly said to Christobel the day before we picked up the sails, ‘Be funny if we get onto the M2 … halfway home and remembered the sails…’ But, we didn’t forget!
The Wilkinson loft floor and another sits to the right through a doorway.
Wilkinson will ‘attack’ any project. Cindy Parker, the proprietor, had a ‘Glamping’ tent under way – the ‘pile’… I shall have to be seriously thinking about a new cover for Whimbrel’s tender, Twitch, soon: it is now twenty-five years old. It has shrunk a little and needs renewal! I have already ordered a new mainsail cover for the day when one is needed (soon) … our new mainsail takes up more stowed volume than our old sail and the cover is tight. Hey ho.
Sails stowed in car…
The weather of late has been exceptionally windy cutting down the opportunities for a seasonal sail, so, as soon as a day came I hightailed to my creek. Only the Genoa was ‘aired’ on that occasion, the jib will be next. The main will probably not be fitted until spring has sprung. In the picture below, the colour differences can be seen. It was nice to have the Genoa aboard for the wind was light.
Whimbrel’s Genoa gets an airing…
During the past thirty-five years, I have always gone back to the same loft from whence the boat’s sails came – W-Sails of Leigh-on-Sea – but Peter Waghorn had gone into retirement, I thought from a conversation some time ago. It appears however that his staff are keeping the loft alive. I haven’t seen Peter for some time to ask what is happening. Anyway, what with the uncertainty, I went where I went… Shame: I’d never had a problem with Peter’s sails – all problems were readily resolved. This too applies to Wilkinson Sails, as I’ve found to my delight!
The jib gets an airing on an overcast winter’s afternoon…
So, just the mainsail to air now, but it’ll stay in its bag awhile yet.
If you need a friendly sail maker, repairs or new go and chat to Cindy, Alan or Sarah…
See: http://wilkinsonsails.co.uk/