TV programme to focus on region’s last sailing coble

A film crew from ITV’s Countrywise along with its presenter Paul Heiney is expected in Bridlington next week to film the coble Three Brothers, which will celebrate its centenary next year.

The vessel’s future looks brighter with several hundred pounds – including a gift of £250 from a local man – donated towards her upkeep.

The coble will be coming out of the water at the end of the month for maintenance and so a professional boatbuilder can cast his eye over her.

Historian Mike Wilson, a member of the Bridlington Sailing Coble Preservation Society which looks after the vessel, said: “We understand Paul Heiney is a Sheffield lad, who likes Bridlington and wants to sail on Three Brothers. She won’t be looking her best but maybe that won’t do us any harm. Once she is on national TV, we are hoping people will start throwing money at her.”

Refurbished to her original condition by harbour staff some years ago, she is owned by the Harbour Commissioners, sparing the society from the cost of berthing and lifting her from the water.

The Three Brothers was built in Bridlington by father and son Baker and Percy Siddall in 1912.