ALAN Cheeseman’s interest in wooden boats goes back many years and for the last two he has been busy transforming a vessel built more than half a century ago.

Prior to Cheeseman’s ownership of the May-Lou she belonged to a professional boat builder and chandler who gave her all the attention she needed.

However, after he died she was laid up for 12 years under a tarpaulin and required a lot of work to return her to her former glory.

Cheeseman, who hails from Hazelbury Bryan, had no such qualms and has had the boat since September 2013.

And he finally had her ready to go in the water this April in order to commence the all-important plimming-up process.

That is carried out to make sure that boats are watertight.

The May-Lou was put in the water at Portland having been worked on by Cheeseman at the Rossiter Boat Yard in Christchurch.

That was the boat yard in which she was built by Charles Purbrook back in 1962.

A Purbrook Heron, the May-Lou first appeared on the British Ships Register in 1963.

“Most people do not like wooden ships because of the amount of work involved in maintaining and restoring them,” said Cheeseman.

“She is affectionately known among boat enthusiasts as a big small one being that she is 22 feet long with a seven-foot beam.”

Hopefully Cheeseman will enjoy the fruits of his labour for many years to come.