A Swallowtail Reunion
July 23, 2026
By Joanne Barnard, Victoria, BC July 2026
This is a story of a love affair that started in England in the 1950s and came full circle in the spring of 2026 to end with an emotional reunion.
My husband B Graham Barnard, active member, former Training Officer and currently Past Commander of the Victoria Power and Sail Squadrons (CanBoat/NautiSavoir), learned to sail as a young boy in England. Aspiring to become a farmer, from 1957-1960 Graham worked for and learned from a farmer at Iken’s Farm, Neatishead, Norfolk, England. That farmer was Bob Jones, co-owner along with Frank Cooper of a sailboat named Swallowtail on nearby Barton Broad. The men gave Graham full use of Swallowtail. Graham seized that opportunity to race and enjoy sailing until he emigrated to Canada in early 1960 to own and operate a farm in Cremona, Alberta.
The Norfolk Broads consist of a network of navigable rivers and man-made lakes resulting from medieval peat diggings making for adventurous sailing because the waters are quite shallow, surrounded by tall reeds, and subject to unexpected wind gusts and lulls.
Swallowtail is one of a limited number of traditional Yare & Bure One Class designed in 1908 by Ernest Woods of Wroxham specifically to suit the idiosyncrasies of the Norfolk Broads. Built in 1914, Swallowtail was one of 69 of these boats built by him, all named for butterflies. These gaff-rigged boats are 20 feet long (22 feet with bowsprit) with less than a 3-foot draft. The boats are well known as highly responsive, difficult to capsize and excellent for both racing and pleasure boating. Many are still in active use. Swallowtail has had more than a dozen owners between 1914 and 2026.
During our decades of sailing together on Canada’s west coast, Graham often spoke of his good times aboard Swallowtail. She took on mythic proportions!
When Graham made a visit to England in February of 2025, his niece and her husband (who had recently moved to Norfolk) asked Graham to introduce them to the local sailing haunts from his youth. A visit to Cox’s Boatyard near Neatishead yielded the interesting news that Swallowtail was for sale. The three of them made a visit to the sellers at the boat storage barn. Graham was thrilled to see Swallowtail again after so many decades. Much discussion ensued. While Graham caressed Swallowtail’s weather-aged gunnels, Charlotte and James were agreeing to buy the boat.
Well over 100 years old at this point, Swallowtail needed a lot of work. Repairs were completed earlier this year in time for our trip to England to visit Graham’s family.
June 11 proved to be the magic day. The four of us (plus Libby the dog) rose early and headed to Cox’s Boatyard near Neatishead on Barton Broad. Swallowtail is docked there amid others of her class in a pool of lily pads, a beautiful and unusual sight to behold.
Swallowtail indistinguishable at a distance, nestled among others of her class; photo B. G. Barnard
Charlotte and James took her out onto Barton Broad before turning the tiller over to Graham for the first time in some 67 years. It was indeed a heartfelt reunion!
<Graham on helm.jpeg Graham at Swallowtail’s helm again after all these decades; “June 11th 2026, Joanne, Charlotte, James and I sailed aboard beautiful SV Swallowtail on Barton Broad where I had last sailed her 67 years before! Thank you to all who made this happen.”
Graham at Swallowtail’s helm again after all these decades; “June 11th 2026, Joanne, Charlotte, James and I sailed aboard beautiful SV Swallowtail on Barton Broad where I had last sailed her 67 years before! Thank you to all who made this happen.”
photo J. Barnard
