VISITORS flocked to Cotehele Quay over the weekend to celebrate the National Trust gaining full ownership of the world’s only fully restored Tamar sailing barge — The Shamrock.

The handover celebration, from the National Maritime Museum to the National Trust, was organised by Cotehele and the Tamar Valley AONB heritage guides.

Lead ranger at Cotehele Joe Lawrence said: ‘Not many people know the National Trust has been in joint ownership of this 1899 barge with the National Maritime Museum since her restoration in the 1970s. All of her shares will now be transferred to the National Trust and we will continue to look after her on the River Tamar at Cotehele Quay.

‘It’s fantastic that a boat like Shamrock, who worked so hard in her life and has survived so many ordeals, can still give so much pleasure to so many people. She’s 116 years old and she’s still here and still going strong.’

The Shamrock was the last of the Tamar sailing barges. She was considered to be the most advanced Tamar sailing barge of her time. Her life was full and varied, trading mainly in fertiliser and cargoes of limestone and brick and then, with a conversion to strengthen her hull, she moved vast amounts of road stone. She even played a part during the Great War carrying shells from ammunition ships to shore.

Shamrock worked hard until the mid 1960s when she was eventually laid up in Hooe Lake. Lack of care and maintenance took their toll and she degenerated further but was purchased in 1973 by John Fildrew of Plymouth who hoped to restore her privately. However, this proved more difficult than envisaged and Mr Fildrew approached the National Maritime Museum and and National Trust to see if they could help. She was restored to her 1920s condition in 1980.

The heritage guides were recently trained through the AONB’s Helping Hands for Heritage Project.

Helping Hands for Heritage project officer Sam Barnes said: ‘The eight-strong team have been learning skills over the past nine weeks, under the guidance of local Blue Badge Guide and Shamrock volunteer Chrissie Le Marchant. This special day gave them the chance to put into practice all that they had learned, as they become ambassadors for the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.’

The celebration handover day also saw visitors enjoy treasure hunts, face painting, guided walks, opportunities to learn the art of knot-tying and a sea shanty sing-a-long. Visitors were able to board Shamrock and learn about her history and have their photo taken in the pirate peep board.

The Westcountry Rivers Trust was also in attendance to collect stories about the River Tamar.