Gig racing revivalist Bird dies

Ralph Bird built 29 of his own gigs, finishing the last one in 2007

A boat builder from Cornwall who helped start a revival in gig racing in the south-west of England has died.

Ralph Bird died at his Devoran home on Monday night after a long illness.

Mr Bird, who was 67, built a total of 29 pilot gigs, putting together his first in 1986 and completing his last vessel in 2007 before retiring.

He was a life member of the Cornish Pilot Gig Association, which said his family were currently finalising funeral arrangements.

Gigs were originally built at the end of the 18th Century in Cornwall to take harbour pilots out to sailing ships.

It wouldn't be the sport it is without Ralph Norma Edwards, Roseland Gig Club

They were also used as tenders to ferry crews and cargo to and from vessels which were too big to moor in harbours.

Although gig racing was taking place in Newquay and in the Isles of Scilly, it was a race on the River Fal in 1981 organised by Mr Bird and a group of friends which started the current revival.

Now more than 130 gigs race every weekend throughout the summer and thousands of people are involved.

Tributes have been paid to him by gig rowers and clubs across the county.

Norma Edwards, from the Roseland Gig Club in St Mawes, said: "It wouldn't be the sport it is without Ralph.

"He made everything happen. He was instrumental in bringing it back as the sport we know now.

"He taught everybody about the traditions and was always there to help."

The life-long boat builder constructed his first gig, Buller, at his workshop in Devoran.

His last gig was named after him by its Welsh owners.