OUT AND ABOUT

Model boat building family workshop

From 10am to 1pm on Saturday, June 3, the Churches Conservation Trust will be teaming up with Sunderland Marine Heritage to host a Creating Model Boats family workshop at Seventeen Nineteen, Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, East Sunderland SR1 2BB. Suitable for everyone from age 6-yearsold upwards, the workshop will focus on how to use traditional tools to create a very basic model boat that actually floats. Students will then have the option to leave their boats on display at Holy Trinity or take them away to enjoy sailing. Tickets can be booked at https://www. eventbrite.co.uk/e/creating-model-boatstickets-577615412247 with a suggested donation of £5 per person.

Huckleberry fun

Currently being offered for sale via the RNLI’s online shop at https://shop.rnli.org for £10 (plus p&p) is this novel Make Your Own Motorboat device from Huckleberry (Product Code RS2333808). Aimed at introducing children to the fun of our hobby, the kit provides a tiny waterproof motor (AA battery included) with a two-bladed propellor that can be attached to a small plank of wood or makeshift model boat ‘built’ from thick paper. Once the ‘boat’ is placed in the water and the button on the top of the motor is pressed, off it will sail – just remember to tie a string to it for ‘no tears’ easy retrieval!

Leyte Gulf – A New History of the World’s Largest Sea Battle

Naval historian Mark E. Stille’s new book challenges the many myths and misconceptions that surround this, the largest and most decisive, battle in the Pacific during World War II. Re-examined, analysed and re-appraised in detail are the actions taken by both navies involved (the US Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy) and, in particular, the decisions made by the two most important commanders – Halsey and Kurita, respectively – and the reasons behind them.

Published in hardback format and carrying an RRP of £25, this book can be purchased directly from the publisher’s website at www. ospreypublishing.com or ordered from your local bookstore by quoting ISBN 97814 7285 1758.