A pair of Sir Francis Chichester's sailing boots, a yachting sweater and a cap are to go on display at the University of Plymouth this month. The garments were worn by Chichester as he made his epic voyage in 1967.

The clothing, along with his compass, a harness, ropes and other items of memorabilia will be part of an exhibition dedicated to the adventurer being held at the university's Portland Square building. Also on display will be the Chichester Trophy, awarded annually to a student who displays the Chichester spirit, by succeeding in the face of challenging circumstances. 
 
The exhibition at the mezzanine gallery, in association with Peninsula Arts, opens on Wednesday May 23, just  five days before Plymouth plays host to the arrival of Gipsy Moth lV, which has been repeating a round the world voyage to mark the 40th anniversary of  Sir Francis's great achievement.

At 6.30pm on the Wednesday, there will be a public lecture about the current voyage by Gipsy Moth and archive footage of Sir Francis at the Stonehouse Lecture Theatre, also Portland Square.

Don't miss GMIV's triumphant homecoming next Bank Holiday Monday, 28 May; thousands will gather to welcome her back as Yachting Monthly celebrates the culmination of a 4-year campaign to save her from rotting away in a Greenwich dry dock. We'll see you there!



Picture: Dr Andrew Eccleston, exhibition organiser, with some of the display items
Yachting Monthly, 16 May 2007