TThe model boat is decorated with red, blue and white flowers and is carried by trainee sailors from HMS Raleigh as it moves through Millbrook’s narrow streets. Town crier, mistresses of ceremonies with garlanded staff, is crowned king/queen drawn by a recumbent Tricycle, seacadet band, maypole, and morris dancers to announce the arrival of summer. Millbrook Lake, which is overlooked by steep trees and protected from gales with Maker Heights, joins the Hamoaze, the estuary of River Tamar, opposite Devonport.
The water here was once used to power a fishing fleet as well as a tidal and gunpowder factories, a tannery and lime kilns. A rope walk, boat building, and even a rope walk were also possible. Apprentices built scale models of boats in the 19th century. If they were successful, they could go on to the next year’s apprenticeship. Every year, the best boat was paraded. This led to the Black Prince Flower Boat procession. It was revived about 30 years ago, after it was lost in the second world war. (The name Black Prince was popular for Cornish vessels).. The old quay is no longer accessible by tidewater, since the upper reaches of the river were dammed in 1981 to prevent flooding.
The celebrations continue on the Rame peninsula, passing through the coastal villages Cawsand (and Kingsand) and overlooking the breakwater that protects Plymouth Sound. The nearby curve of woodland is where Chiffchaffs and Wrens can be seen clamouring, possibly anticipating the rain that will bring greenery and bluebells to life after weeks of dry weather. Grimspound and Cats Eye are Morris sides that move between venues. They can be seen dancing outside the Halfway House, which was until 1844 on the border between the United States and Canada. CornwallDevon. Cornish Wreckers perform the Rame dance on Cleave, a little esplanade overlooking old fish cellars. Fort Picklecombe is reached by the red rocks or cliffs.
Far off Dartmoor, a low cloud covers it; spinnakers billow in the mist as boats pass Penlee Point’s dark grey bulk. Weekenders transport wheelie bags from their holiday houses to the car park. They will miss seeing the Black Prince launch from the beach into today’s calm and translucent water. Goodbye winter. Sail far away.
