A blue plaque will commemorate the life and work of Cornish boatbuilder Ralph Bird. Bird built 29 gig boats over 21 years at his workshop on the banks of the Carnon river near Devoran. He played a key role in the revival of gig racing after starting an annual race on the Fal in 1981.
The plaque was organised by the Restronguet Creek Society and will be unveiled later in a private ceremony attended by his widow, Marie.
"He fought hard and he worked hard – he was an incredible man," said Norma Edwards of the Cornish Pilot Gig Association.
The traditional clinker-built wooden boats are 32ft long and were first made in Cornwall at the end of the 18th Century to take harbour pilots out to sailing ships.
Bird built his first gig, Energy, with students at Falmouth Marine School. He was then asked to build another for Cadgwith Pilot Gig Club members in 1986 as gig racing became more popular. Buller was the first gig he built at his workshop at Carnon Mine, and the last one, named Ralph Bird, was built for Porthgain Rowing Club in 2007.
Bird was a founding member of the Cornish Pilot Gig Association. Former trustee Norma Edwards is due to speak at the plaque unveiling about his importance to the sport. When he died in 2009, she said: "It wouldn't be the sport it is without Ralph."
About 800 people attended Bird's funeral at Truro Cathedral. His coffin, draped in the St Piran's flag, was laid on a gig he had built for the Roseland club, the William Peters, while rowers used paddles to form a guard of honour.
More news stories for Cornwall
Listen to the latest news for Cornwall
Follow BBC Cornwall on X, external, Facebook, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to [email protected], external.
Gig Boatbuilder’s Legacy to Be Honoured With Blue Plaque