The team working to find a new home for the last warship to be built in Plymouth revealed on the Herald’s online social networking pages iHerald that they are seriously exploring moving the ship to Cornwall.

The vessel could become a feature of a major redevelopment of the Cornish town’s waterfront location.

Campaigners fighting to save the ship have been unable to find a suitable berth for the Falklands War veteran in her home city, despite exhaustive searches, and are now looking at all options.

Until recently she was berthed in Liverpool, but now has to be found a new home.

The team also revealed that a Scottish MP is backing plans to move HMS Plymouth, launched 50 years ago this year, north of the border.

Revealing the Cornish plan on iHerald, Martin Slater, secretary of the HMS Plymouth Association, said: “The team has decided that we will fight on to find her a berth, and are looking at a number of options.

“We have been contacted by a gentleman in Hayle, where there are plans for a big regeneration of the area funded by ING Real Estate. He is excited about having her down there and has spoken to a number of people, including a representative of ING, who didn’t say no.”

“Portsmouth is another option, although this has been tried before. Liverpool and Rosyth are also being investigated, with a Scottish MP being most keen.”

A campaign has been created on iHerald in a bid to bring HMS Plymouth back to the city.

Read and join the discussion at iHerald and join the group, with pictures, at iHerald

JAMES UNWIN, Plymouth

Ian Stockdale.

Left in ruins, Sunday, December 14, 2008.

MY FORMER shipmate from HMS Cavalier, Jim Unwin, felt the report last Saturday ‘On course for the scrap-heap’ almost reads like a conspiracy because of the stance taken by the MoD and its underlings in trying to stop HMS Plymouth coming back home where she belongs.

I don’t think ‘conspiracy’ is too strong a word. Lord Owen was correct in questioning the reasons for dismantling the gate to No2 Dock, and should pursue the matter by asking the Government for a full explanation, and for it to be reinstalled.

This is all very reminiscent of the actions taken by the MoD in the 1980s when the decision was made to close Chatham Dockyard. It was made clear at the time that Chatham would never be used again as a dockyard, and to that end they systematically destroyed everything that was not an ancient monument or listed. Everything was bulldozed flat, dry docks destroyed, gates and caissons removed and cut up, pumping gear and auxiliary machinery scrapped, even down to wrecking the caisson housings to make sure they could never be used again. This was nothing short of sheer vandalism, and don’t think the same cannot happen to South Yard, because it could unless we do something about it - now! The only part that was spared was the part which has now become the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust which houses the magnificent ropery, HMS Cavalier, Ocelot and Gannet, something Plymouth should be considering for the Mutton Cove end of South Yard, before it too is destroyed. The area already lends itself to a possible Plymouth Historic Dockyard and Maritime Museum by the fact that it also has a ropery, gallows, listed slips and docks, with its own gate which could be reopened if that part were sectioned off. The Dockyard Museum is already there; coupled with HMS Plymouth and the Falklands Museum and artefacts, it already has the makings of a good museum, so why not give it some thought and find HMS Plymouth a temporary home until the future of South Yard becomes clearer? The covered slip would make an excellent centre to teach youngsters many of the ancient and now defunct trades still required on many historic ships, and could be a source of revenue.

Chatham gets about 150,000 visitors a year, and Portsmouth probably twice that number, all pumping millions into the local economies. Plymouth suffers because it does not have anywhere where it can explain and capitalise upon its magnificent maritime history. But if a Plymouth maritime museum is to be anything more than a pipe dream it’s important the MoD is not allowed to dismantle South Yard, and our MPs and council would be wise to seek assurances that it will be left intact. The area I am talking about is relatively small, and would still leave many hundreds of acres available for other employment purposes. For once, Plymouth, open your eyes and use a bit of vision to put the city on the map, and to send a clear message to investors that this city is not stuck in the doldrums, and is quite capable of carving out a future.

SID ANNING, Crownhill

Find the room Friday, December 12, 2008.

 HAVING read the reported words of Lord Owen and Mike Critchley regarding HMS Plymouth, I find it most disappointing that at least two stalwarts have to admit defeat in bringing the ship back to her native city.I also understand many other people have tried tirelessly to bring her back where she belongs, thereby losing a valuable asset.

Two of the ships I served on are already floating museums and no doubt a great asset to the public, and have been for many years. I refer to HMS Belfast and HMS Cavalier, which are great attractions to visitors from all parts of the world.

After all efforts from those I mentioned earlier, it almost reads like a conspiracy to degrade HMS Plymouth to the scrap-heap. No wonder such men are so disheartened as to admit defeat. You cannot bang your head against a brick wall for ever.

I never served on HMS Plymouth but I feel that if she could be preserved and found a berth here, she would prove to be a big attraction to visitors, just as famous as Belfast and Cavalier.

JAMES UNWIN, Plymouth

It is rather tragic for Britain that so many good folk are concerned about saving HMS Plymouth and other ships and are not finding the authorities in tune with their ideas, as can be seen by the multitude of comments. Similarly to Plymouth there seems to be a great lack of support in other maritime areas such as Merseyside and Liverpool. Not only did the Warships Trust fold because of “development” of the Birkenhead dock in which they were moored, but none of the other maritime schemes have been successful. The SS Manxman has not found a home on Mersyside where she was built, nor HMS Whimbrel brought back from Egypt as the “Battle of the Atlantic” memorial ship. She could have been displayed imaginatively similarly to HMS Plymouth’s plans. HMS Bronington, Prince Charles’s command, is now to be broken up as no support can be found for even a small minesweeper. Glasgow will not now have the liner Empress of Britain, nor Southampton the Windsor Castle. HMS Vengeance, the last WW II aircraft carrier did not sail back to Falmouth, but sailed to an Indian scrapping beach. Our European neighbours are preserving larger vessels than HMS Plymouth and HMS Whimbrel, the SS Rotterdam, a trans-Atlantic liner, is now moored in the Port of Rotterdam, and the Sagafjord, another liner, will be most likely moored in Stockholm. The Nation could not even keep the last traditional Atlantic Liner in the country, QE 2. Even in the air the restored-to-flight Vulcan bomber that took part in the Falklands War is now at risk of grounding after all the time, money and and work done by a fantastic team achieving, against the odds, an airworthy aircraft; and the only flying example. Let it not be forgotten that when these port cities need tourists after the ‘credit crunch’ has been sorted, and children require a tangible piece of history to explore, either for school work, or for interests sake, and survivors of battles and their families and friends can gain solace from what was achieved in giving the ultimate sacrifice, the preservation of such warships is much more than an accountancy exercise. The USA have preserved many of their warships in States that bear their name as memorials to the seamen lost, mostly, from WW II. Oh yes I forgot Merseyside will have a warship on view, U534, but that’s German, and it is cut up into 4 pieces! So they will have a memorial to the Vanquished, but not the Victor!

HMS Plymouth generated sufficient income to maintain itself in Birkenhead, along with a small museum gift shop. With the right organsiation and management there is no reason why it couldn’t become the centre piece of Plymouths very own heritage attraction. Think outside the box, Drake, the Pilgrim Fathers and the 1st Eddistone lighthouse all belong to Plymouth. Important parts of our and what have you to show the world? just a lighthouse! Never mind you can do guided tours of the disused dockyard once the navy pull out. And they will, there is neither budget or justification for three dockyards. They said that Chatham would never go, how wrong they were. Look to the future and plan now instead of belittling history. And to those who think that preservation of a heap of scrap metal is a waste and a whimsical idea should look at what they have around them, slowly but surely bit by bit our heritage is lost, developers allow listed buildings to fall down so that they can develope the land. The local authorities allow them to do so. Imagine the uproar and public outrage that would follow if the Victory was allowed to rot away or the Mary Rose was left to decay! after all they are only ships that have served their purpose and no longer have any significance in todays world. They are outdated lumps of wood. And yet millions of pounds are poured into their maintenance and up keep which could be better spent housing the homeless or used to bale out the multitude of failing businesses.
A radical solution no doubt one that will ellicit much response. In the era of the Victory it was precisely the same type of argument that ensured its preservation for later generations.

As for me, personally I don’t care what you do, I’m never coming to Plymouth again, why should I theres nothing to see, just a couple of big shops and a few old houses down by the Barbican. The rest of your history you have converted into low cost housing for the rich.

The Joss, Guzz, Portland & York

I feel that HMS Plymouth would be more beneficial and financially viable than Tinside. At least it could be a year round visitor attraction and educational resource. I have set up a Facebook group entitled ‘Save HMS Plymouth’ for people to post ideas about action we could take to save her and bring her back to Plymouth.

Sarah Greep, Plymouth

Another stab in the back for our Heritage. £58 million pounds has been pumped into the DRC/Plymouth City Council for the benefit of Devonport ,and most of the money,if not all has and will never have any impact on Devonport long-term.

Considering this i argued as a Councillor 2003/06 that South Yard could be used to build a themed heritage centre to match Portsmouth.

But no it appears houses for those that can least afford them (140k for affordable housing when the average wage is 15k) in other words migrants to a city that considers Holiday homes overlooking the sea are more important then the local population needs of access to jobs or at least attractions that could draw people to the city.

Tudor Evans made clear to a question in the Chamber Plymouth could not sustain the cost of keeping HMS Plymouth in her home city and would not even consider that such a venture could be supported or get of the ground using this regeneration monies.

Even the Tories and Lib Dems never supported this question although 44 million for a Life Centre can be found?

I am discusted at the way our Heritage, is slowly, but shorly disappearing, decisions made by people of doubtful intent……Its time & our duty to be proud of our past .

Councillors stop topping up your pensions and take a positive step to bring HMS Plymouth back home.

LeeF, Plymouth

There is no merit or justification whatever for keeping and preserving this ship. Even if substantial private funds could be raised to maintain it i would question the significance or purpose in alloting it space and a mooring locally. it is a middling like any other warship of the late twentieth century that happens to have taken its name from out city. yes. a lot of sailors served aboard her, and yes she got caught up in a conflict or two but she has no iconic or major significance in the great scheme of things except to those with a direct connection. the city does not have the space or resources for this has been millstone.

Peter Virgo ~ would be very interested in your photo for our archives. Please e-mail me sec126club@btinternet.com

I’m going to say very little on the subject of my old ship, as I’ve said it all before over the last 3 years of trying to get her ‘back home’ and it’s all fallen on deaf ears. All I will say here, is thanks to all those who support us and for all your comments.

Christa, we haven’t spoken for a while I know. Sorry.

Yours Aye
Martin Slater
Secretary H.M.S. Plymouth Association , Liverpool

If Plymouth only stepped back and looked at what Historic ships can do for them in a Historic Naval Dockyard and Base. Oggie Oggie Oggie.-it’s
known around the World.

HMS Cavalier has done wonders, along with Ocelot and the Victorian sloop HMS Gannet. in the Historic Dockyard, Chatham.
Daily visitors abound through most of the year, events are staged on them, They have become unique film stars,
excelent place for weddings.
as well as the Memorial factor
that they represent.
HMS Cavalier rescued from a Malyan Theme park because no one wanted her, has become a great attraction and is part of the Destroyer Memorial featured and unveiled by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
It can be home for volunteers, who do the maitainance and cleaning duties as some 40 plus older men and one woman do at Chatham.
Plymouth WAKE UP.

Our heritage is well worth looking after,
Men lived, served, and died defending our…. your freedom,
have respect for them, with HMS Plymouth to remind today and tomorrow’s youth.
IS Someone Banging Drakes Drum, put your hearing aid on
and listen.
Mike Fleet 10 years serving as a volunteer on HMS. Cavalier.

Good to see all the words of support for this ship.Good comment from the joss.Dont worry about the spelling and grammer mate in my day it was believed the regulating branch could either read or write not both:-)

We don’t have public money to spend on ephemera and mediocrity like this. We could suggest tens of thousands of other greater priorities.

HMS Plymouth docked in Bridgeport Connecticut in the late 70’s and was proud to take my American Born Wife aboard as was thousands of visitor’s at that time.
Being a former Apprentice at South Yard and working on the building of the first nuclear ship HMS Girdleness it brought back many fine memories to me PLEASE THINK THIS OVER and respect the BRAVE MEN who sailed and died for us !!
The name PLYMOUTH is the name of many Cities here in America and countries throughout the world.
Bring this fine Frigate back to South Yard where it belongs !!

If interested I do have a photo of my Wife posing with some of the crew on that ship
thank you and good luck to all the Citizens of Plmouth in bringing her home
Ex Plymothian
Peter Virgo

Peter Virgo, Derby Connecticut USA

The fact is, all military vessels have a shelf life.
Why don’t we do as the Bristolians did with the SS Great Britain and open her up to the public in a dry dock.
Bristol seems to be how Plymouth should…with good leadership.
Lets give visitors a good reason to come spend their money here.

repect to the joss,he has said it all, from one matlot to another!

Can we have the photo of HMS Plymouth back up please Herald, just to remind us what we are about to lose, after all we will not be able to see her again if this awful thing takes place.
I just can believe all this.
I am thousands of miles away but it still tugs at me the thought of this wonderful vessel being destroyed and not brought home where she belongs .
This is my third post on this subject and as helpless as I feel it’s all we can do to try and save her.
Please keep her.

PRIDE & RESPECT! This so-called modern society have neither. Bid farewell to Gordon Brown & his associates for failing us the past eleven years, as your time has come to step down.

I cannot believe that the city of Plymouth with all it’s Naval background and the RoyalNavy/MOD can allow a vital part of their history and heritage to just disappear. Didn’t Plymouth lose enough in the past? Remember that what Germany didn’t bomb into oblivion during the World War II the Plymouth City Council demolished!! A lot of the Elizabethan era in the Barbican area gone in the name of modernisation!! Once it’s gone it can’t be brought back. Give this serious thought all you people in power, razor blades will never replace a ship that suffered for it’s country in time of war. It deserves a place in the history of Plymouth as Victory does in Portsmouth. Somebody has to act before it is too late.

How typical of the MOD…. Treating this ship like it does the serving and ex service personel. Once used and not needed anymore, cast aside. I’m and ex-service person who sustained an injury while serving and now fighting for help. The MOD don’t care about it’s forces, never have and never will.

Mark, Plym

Being an ex matelot Pat I have fond memories of plymouth and the ship named after her. Am I glad I emigrated n 1970, you bet. Because what I see and hear about the old country is hardly ever good. I’m lost for words, Pride is obviously no longer fashionable with today’s governments as they are too bloody busy looking after gays, lesbians and Afghan terrorists. I often ask myself why did I join up, for what? England isn’t England anymore, its enough to make an old sailor weep even more so if he’s a senior.

Peter, Australia

I remember my ship going alongside HMS Plymouth to help fight the fires after she was bombed in San Carlos Water in June 1982. I then served in HMS Plymouth in 1985/87. She was my last seagoing ship. It saddens me that PCC is willing to spend millions on a Life Centre but will not do anything to save this historic ship. Plymouth has always played second fiddle to Portsmouth, not because Pompey is better but because they know how to market themselves by preserving our heritage and drawing in tourists who spend a lot of money. Shame on you PCC and MOD.

William J, plymouth

It frustrates me to no end, Why cant the citizens of Plymouth be allowed to take pride in their herritage, we fund the council, and the mod via taxes, the mod have used and abused the city and now washes its hands of Plymouth. it is an utter outrage, and I wish there was some way of bringing those people responsible (irrisponsible people) to account. Its our city, our heritage, and could be our ship.
I for certain would be happy to make small annual donations, and time to keep her here.
I am so annoyed, think I should move to pompey.

Russ, Plymouth

And to the spelling and gramma police, who will no doubt be foaming at the bit! I don’t really care.

History and heritage have no place in todays bland and politically correct Britain,(I missed of the Great on purpose!). It is easier to get lottery funding for Guinea Pig farming in South America than to preserve a small portion of our nations proud history. I suppose in yeasr to come it would prove an embarrassment to the government as they apologise to Argentina for starting the war in the Falklands.
I recall the celebrations when the lads came home, everyone in Guzz was so proud of the achievements against such overwhelming odds. Now its OK to spit on servicmen in uniform, insult and harass the wounded and dying in an NHS hospital, have to sleep in your car before your comerades funeral because the only hotel doesn’t accommodate service personnel and be refused entry and a drink in the Walkabout Bar because you are in the uniform of OUR armed forces. Bearing all this in mind, this does not suprise me one iota. the men of this ship sailed the world ready to do the bidding of YOUR government, without question. They went to war and put themselves in harms way for you and for the Falkland Islanders. Afterwards when all the bands had stopped playing these men carried on with their careers. Those who suffered were tossed aside and left to fend for themselves abandoned by the service and by the government because just when they needed help the medical services were pared to near non existance. And now, the ship that served so many served so well and protected them from serious harm is abandoned just like them. One icon of Naval history from countless years of war, hardship, combat and pain, just one you had to save and your penny pinching council aided and abetted by a naval service that neither cares nor is bothered have consigned it to the scrap and to history. Unlike the beautiful classic american car of the same name it has earn’t its place in world history and in Plymouths heart. I never thought that the city I served in for so many years could be so shallow, must be because the good times are over and the Royal Navy has removed the golden goose. Enjoy the heritage of Yuppie apartments and exclusive marinas you derserve it.

This ship used up all its luck in 1982 taking care of the sailors who crewed it. I remember seeing it battered and burnt when it arrived in Gibraltar on its way home.
Obviously the MOD are not interested despite there being a 3 mile long dockyard with virtually nothing in it. Plymouth City council, well we all know how useless they are, can`t even look after their own building let alone a City.
Its funny how in Devonport we always have room for one more redundant Submarine that no one wants yet no room for an ICON of our past glory days when we could actually build decent warships locally.
I am not surprised at this news.
If Commander Mike Critchley can`t get the ship home then doubtful anyone can.
To Plymouth it would be like scrapping the SS Great Britian would be to Bristol, a tragedy.

Iwas part of the freedom of the city of plymouth gaurd in the 60s, what went wrong with plymouth have they lost the pride they once had, there heritige was naval and a ship bearing there name says it all. Stand up and be , base hms plymouth where she belongs, in plymouth

If eyesores like the civic centre can be protected by having listed building status why cant old warships that along with their ships companies have served their country above and beyond have a preservation order on them. ken price, hereford

My father had an imported American car that happened to be made by a company called Plymouth. is that enough of a connection for us to have asked for a permanent free parking place and eternal security and maintenance paid for by plymouth city Council? We feel just as attached to and nostalgic for the old car.

its a shame the wont use no2 dock i was a cadet next to the dock and it was just there with nothing in it so make good use of it and put HMS plymouth in the space if the navy do it in chatam and portsmouth WHY not good old plymouth wat a shame of history for plymouth.!!!!!!!!!!!

I saw her keel laid down, and watched her launching when I was a spotty-faced apprentice.
Now, it seems…………….

If they let this happen it’s a sad day for all who sailed, fought and loved this ship.
But mostly it’s a sad day that the powers to be could let her go and not give her her home back for the people of Plymouth.
Something like this is important and matters to Plymouth’s history and heritage.
This is really bothering me, what was the use of that long petition that had so many names added to it?
It’s a sin to let this happen.

“HMS Belfast is in London, ss Great Britain in Bristol….HMS Plymouth in Plymouth…now thats an idea….Come on council pull your finger out!! Q, Plymouth”

Don’t forget Cavalier in Chatham …. Victory (and the rest) in Pompey. But at least Plymouth have got the anchor off the old Ark Royal …. naval heritage at its finest!!

Martin, Liverpool

It is a great shame that the ship that was built in Plymouth and also bears the city’s name can not be allowed to return to its home. This ship of all Devonport ships should be protected and looked after, it is after all part of this great city’s heritage.
I’m afaid asking for berths from the Dockyard commander is not a lot of good, after all he only does and says what his seniors (quite often civvies these days) tell him to say.
The dollar is king these days & the PFI’s that run once RN Dockyards - make the decisions with the dollar in mind - lets face it they don’t and won’t need the armed forces until the bombs start to fall on em… and then its tommy this and tommy that etc etc - A sad day for the Ship and the City and and sad sad days for those who have to apply lies to a situation where money means more than hard fought memories .
Shep Woolley Pompey rating
oggie oggie oggie

I was born in Plymouth and have taken great pride of being a shipwright who worked on HMS Plymouth….I think this ship should be saved. Give it a berth in South Yard !!

Not very helpful of the Naval Base Commander to say there is no room in the yard. All those miles of waterfront and he can’t find even a temporary berth until a permanent one can made ready. I mean, we’ve got 3ugger all of a fleet left anyway, so who else is going to fill all the jetties? He must be a Pompey rating because he obviously doesn’t give a toss about Plymouth.
RobRoy is right, that bit of sea wall south of the barbican adjacent to the council car park is ideal.

Steve, you’re talking rubbish, literally, as usual.

Dinger Bell, ex-HMS Plymouth

If ’tis to be done t’would best be done quickly.

Let’s hope that the Plymouth City Council Refuse Collectors don’t have to pick up the rubbish, They only work four days a week and they would leave half of the ship behind.

This is absolutely shameful on the part of Plymouth Council and the people of Plymouth. I can remember going out on the tugs to bring her back into dock when she came home, all the proud patrioic Plymothians standing on the Hoe ,Devils Point and around the foreshore at Devonport. How can all of us forget so quickly. Dont you remember the tarpaulins covering the holes in the superstructure,how the brave men and women that were involved in the conflict fought and died for what they thought was right? This ship should be brought home to rest in peace, not torn to pieces! Why not put it in Tinside Lido makes more sense than spending millions on a pool thats too cold to use for most of the year.

Seen the above, well, I am sorry to read this, Chatham has a collection of historic ships, including Cavalier and Gannet, and are a great draw for the towns, and HMS Plymouth could be the same I am sure, what a shame the authority can not help or even the MOD, removing the dock gates, what were they thinking of. A great shame I think,

John Kempton, Medway Towns in Kent

Providing the the cost is less than the benefit keep it as tourist attraction, if the cost is more then we can’t afford another white elephant, Tinside swimming pool is already draining our resources, much to do with mismanagement though.

lets bring it back to plymouth and use it as a tourist attraction. what a waste to scrap it.

It is obvious the Plymouth Council don’t give a toss about Plymouths Naval Heritage. Maybe if they went and had a look at Portsmouth to see what they have done it may open their eyes a bit. Portsmouth Heritage centre brings in hundreds of thousands of visitors in every year, this brings in much needed revenue through tourism. What they have done in Portsmouth puts Plymouth to shame. All they need to do is provide a berth for the ship and I’m sure there will be enough unpaid volunteers to keep her shipshape and enough visitors to keep her afloat.

It’s outrageous that WML are not getting the support and assistance they need. Obviously the Naval Base isn’t an option yet, until South Yard is opened up, because visitors would have to be limited to organised tours which would mean very few visitors.
Steve is absolutely right, there is room at Millbay in the basin to the east of the ferry terminal until a suitable berth can be prepared.
The best option is at the Barbican, just south of the new pontoons, it is the perfect place - the land is just a council car park. And let’s face it the council will get a slice of the proceeds. Because of this location visitor numbers will be the maximum possible. A mini breakwater, or coffer dam, could be built to protect the ship from southerly gales.
Councillors, it’s not difficult, just pull your fingers out and get on with it!

Give the people of Plymouth thier ship back!!!!! It seems to me that the people who decide over the fate of HMS Plymouth, are probably not Plymouth born! And if they are ,they should hang thier heads in shame!!!! It is also a slap in the face for the brave servicemen who lost thier lives in the Falkland war!!!! This ship is a piece of Plymouth’s history! So spend some money, make some space and save her!!!

As a citizen of Plymouth, I am consistantly appalled at the appathy that surrounds this City, particularly when you look at Portsmouth and Chatham who are proud of their heritage, and are prepared to display it at every opportunity.
I have always advocated, that the Royal William Yard would have been better served as Plymouth’s own Maritime Museum rather than flats for the better off which have had tens of millions of tax payers money wasted on it, with is really of no benefit to this city.
If HMS Plymouth could have joined forces with the Dockyard Museum, and still could, the Royal William Yard would have become a great visitor attraction to this City by fortelling its magnificent maritime history.
As an Historic Ship campaigner, who was involved with stopping HMS Cavalier - my old ship, from being exported to a Malaysian Theme Park, and through necessity, bringing the matter to the attention of the Culture Select Committee before she could be saved. This was achieved against a background of apathy, ignorance, and a simply could not care less attitude by Government, DCMS, HLF, and more in particular, English Heritage who shame facedly washed its hands of any involvement with Historic Ships many years ago.
Recently we lost the fight to save the last steam driven LST in the UK (HMS Stalker), and know exactly how the HMS Plymouth campaigners feel.
Frankly I am appalled, as the vast majority of those who in Government and HLF who have Historic Ships in the palm of their hands, and more in particular - their future, have simply no idea of the needs of Historic Ships.
There has always been doubts about the NRHV and its Governing Body, the National Historic Ships Unit having the powers to save an Historic Ship. Giving the loss of these magnificent ships to the scrap man possibly in the future, then I think those doubts are confirmed.
HMS Stalker has been lost for piddling amounts of money, and it would appear that HMS Plymouth is being lost simply because she could not find a berth. Does anyone care about our Maritime Heritage - not a bit, least of all PCC.
This is one of the reasons why HMS Stalker failed, but as I have told HLF and DCMS continually for over a decade, that much of the requirements for funding simply cannot be met until such time as funding as been given, and that, many of the requirements needed for funding are simply not possible to achieve. To me Historic Ships cannot be treated on a similar level to a building or a work of art, and its time the Government and Councils accepted this.
What most people fail to comprehend about Historic Ships is the amount of revenue that they bring in. To Portsmouth and its Historic Ships it must be to the order of £100m to their local economy.
I can fully understand Mike Critchley’s dissapointment and frustration, (ably abetted by the MOD), at Plymouth City Council. It would appear the Life Centre of which they are prepared to spend tens of millions of pounds on, and to put this City into hock for, but at the same time are not prepared to give a ship which bears its name a home.
Sometimes I am ashamed of this City and its politicians. I do hope that there is a change of stance.
I believe the City Council should tell the MOD that unless they give HMS Plymouth a berth at South Yard, then we should not accept anymore of their nukes which in my view is a small price to pay for that priviledge.

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING.. THIS SHIP HAS A HISTORY AND A HERITAGE IN OUR AREA AND SHOULD BE SAVED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. I WORKED ON HER BRIEFLY WHEN SHE WAS IN MILBAY ON DISPLAY INTHE 80′S SHE SHOULD CERTAINLY NOT BE SOLD FOR SCRAP, THIS WOULD BE AN INSULT TO ALL THE SERVICE PEOPLE THAT SERVED (AND DIED) ON HER. SURELY SOME ROOM COULD BE MADE FOR HER IN THE OLD SOUTH YARD WHERE THE NEW HOUSING IS BEING BUILT PREHAPS AS PART OF THE NAVAL BASE MUSEUM THATS DOWN THERE? (BUT I DOUBT IT AS HOUSING MAKES MONEY AND SHE PROBABLY WONT)

I can recall waving HMS Plymouth off on one of her sailings. A magnificent vessell.

I have great memories of many RN ships, but am realistic enough to know that they cannot all be preserved.

If people want to contribute to save a ship - good luck to them, but before they part with their cash, they need to be certain that there is some port that is prepared to provide a home, and also how much the cost of that home will be. Once that figure has been reached, then you can start collecting the millions of pounds needed to restore the ship, and continue collecting to maintain it.

When reality sets in, then perhaps people will realise that sentimentality can cost a bomb!

Oggy, Plymouth

Where is my coment? im a proud janner and a serviceman, i think i have a right to put my point across to D from plymouth,evening herald police you are a disgrace

for heavens sake plymouth city council sort it out!! buy it and place it at millbay for the time being until the docks are developed and an alternative location in the city can be found. there is hardly any recognition of plymouth’s maritime history as it is. This is the LAST frigate to be built in Devonport and it bears the name Plymouth. you go to portsmouth and they are proud of their history and rightly show it off. plymouth has the mayflower steps and thats it. also, whatever happened to the replica of the mayflower discussed a few years back? they’d rather spend their money on a stupid life centre on greenfields or invest in some dodgy icelandic bank. with the very real prospect that both the naval base and airport will shut plymouth will increasingly rely upon tourism for its wealth, but its clearly not preparing itself wisely. it really saddens me looking at images of pre-war plymouth to see what not only hitler, but what this council has done to sell this city down the river.

I signed a petition to save her, this is very upsetting and sad news.
The worse part is losing the chapel that means so much to the crew that fought on her.

The metal will be a lot more useful made in to cars and tin cans

Warship Preservation Trust goes into liquidation

June 2006

A.B.P. agrees to berth Plymouth at Trinity Pier, Millbay docks and negotiations for Plymouth’s purchase commence with the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company.

September 2006  

HMS Plymouth Preservation trust inaugural meeting.

October 2006

Warship Management Ltd. Formed.

October 2006

Trust members and investors visit ship.

December 2006

Trust business plan delivered to A.B.P. who has just appointed a new port manager.

January 2007

A.B.P. rejects the trusts proposal stating the reason of a previously unmentioned multi million pound redevelopment of Trinity by the University of Plymouth, set to begin in October that year.

WML begin the search for another berth.

February 2007

Falmouth deputy harbourmaster states possible interest in a berth but only for the week of the Falklands celebration week.

After an initial enthusiastic response Plymouth turned is down by Portland Port.

March 2007

WML have meeting with S.W.R.D.A. and are told that ‘Tourist projects supported by them have not performed well and as such they would not consider any support for H.M.S. Plymouth’. They also refused to offer support for the project in words or principle.

April 2007

Elphinstone quay in the heart of Plymouth’s historic Barbican suggested as a berth, plans are drawn up.

Our interest in the site stimulated interest from an international firm of architects, specialising in historic buildings and the tourism marketing company that advised on the marketing of the Royal Palaces and the House of Commons.

May 2007

Nearby Commercial wharf suggested by the former harbourmaster as a better alternative, a suggestion mooted 20 years earlier but the council will not pause plans for a new pontoon at the site.

A.B.P. Cardiff declines the opportunity to berth Plymouth.

June 2007

WML meet with Nigel Godefroy M.D. of Sutton Harbour Holdings together with various council officers, the deputy Queens Harbourmaster, representatives of G.H.K. (architects) and The Petersham Group (tourism marketing). I became obvious the S.H.G. has a long term interest in both quays and the ‘council’ speak in their favour. S.H.G. cannot currently develop the sites due to an act of parliament. P.C.C. is actively trying to get the act repealed.

October 2007

Lord Owen makes contact and states his interest in the project.

November 2007

Initial contact with John Howard regarding Howard’s Quay’.

Harbourmaster rejects the idea out of hand.

Lord Owen visits Plymouth.

March 2008

Cattewater Harbour Commissioners consent to using Howard’s quay as a site for Plymouth.

Naval Base Commander commissions a survey on Plymouth in an effort to block berthing at Howard’s Quay.

October 2008

WML commissions naval architects report that proves she can ‘take the mud’ with a wide safety margin.

HMS Plymouth Association annual holds its annual re-union in Plymouth for the first time and makes the decision to come back next year. The usual venue in Liverpool.

November 2008

Negotiations with John Howard end, project can’t sustain his costs.

Lord Owen asks the Naval Base Commander for a space in the now almost empty South yard only to discover that the only viable dry dock has now been flooded and its gates removed stating: ‘they cannot find a berth in South or North yard’.

December 2008

An informal approach to Babcock Marine (Plymouth) is rejected.

THE last warship to be built in the Westcountry could now be scrapped after a three-year campaign to bring her home was foiled.
It had been hoped that frigate HMS Plymouth - a veteran of the Falklands War - could return to the city as a living exhibit and tourist attraction.
But those hopes appeared to have been dashed yesterday after two proposals to bring the Rothesay-class frigate home failed.
Former Royal Navy officer Mike Critchley, chairman of Warship Management Ltd (WML), had been spearheading the project to bring the ship from its current berth in Birkenhead.
He said its future now looked bleak after options to secure either a commercial or Royal Navy berth had been scuppered.
“I am aware of two organisations overseas and one in the UK which have expressed an interest in hosting her in the past, but in recent times more enquiries have come to Merseyside to release her for scrap,” Mr Critchley said.
“The owners have always resisted this option in favour of seeing the ship return to her natural home - Plymouth. I see the possibility of a breaker’s yard looming - a fate from which she was saved in 1988.
“Surely this should not be the way that her story will end?”
The ship was launched from Devonport in 1959. It played a key role in the Falklands conflict before being decommissioned in 1988.
It features a unique chapel which was built into the ship as a memorial to all the UK seafarers lost in the South Atlantic in 1982. She is currently owned by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company.
Plymouth City councillor Dr David Salter had backed the project and discussed its potential with owners of possible berths.
He said: “I believe this outcome is a local and national disgrace after enormous efforts by WML, the men of the HMS Plymouth Association and by well-wishers all over the country.
“It is outrageous that in her namesake city with a huge waterfront and international maritime reputation, no place at all can be found for this historic warship with a proven ability to attract tourists and educate youngsters.”
Commercial berths in Plymouth have been blocked by development and increasing costs. That resulted in an emergency meeting last week between former Plymouth MP Lord David Owen and Commodore Ian Jess, the current Commander of Devonport Naval Base.
“Commodore Jess, however, told Lord Owen that there was no room for the vessel,” Mr Critchley said.
“He also informed Lord Owen that the listed dry dock which the project might have hoped to use, Number 2 Dock, had its gates removed in the last three months and was now tidal, making it impracticable to berth HMS Plymouth without reinstating the gates at a cost of more than a million pounds.
“This has led to WML despairing of finding a berth for HMS Plymouth in the city, and the ship having to leave Merseyside soon. She may well be sent to the scrapyard.”
The news came as a blow to the HMS Plymouth Association, which has raised more than £30,000 towards her purchase.
Secretary Martin Slater, who served on the ship from 1971-73, said: “The association has been closely involved in a great many aspects of the negotiations in trying to obtain a suitable berth for the Falklands veteran.
“We appreciate the frustration which WML has endured when dealing with a city, who for the most part, appears to be totally indifferent to not only saving this iconic warship, but where some elements appear to be actively attempting to thwart those efforts.”
Dave Briody, group credit manager at owners Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, said they were “concerned” at the state of the vessel which had been “without proper tender loving care for three years”.
“Deadlines keep being changed which is a major concern,” Mr Briody said. “This is probably the third option in Plymouth that has caved in. Our main concern now is that the ship is in need of tender loving care and we really don’t want to spend any more money on it.
“We are not rushing to any scrapyard, but we have to consider the state of the ship and what is going to happen to it over what is probably going to be a difficult winter.
“We are very disappointed, but we have got to face reality now that Plymouth is not pulling out all the stops. We can’t believe that there’s nowhere for it - even if it is a short-term lay-up.
“A move to Plymouth was and is our preferred option and we are still hopeful that a solution can be found. In the meantime, we are going to reconvene to discuss the matter with WML and make a decision from there. Hopefully something can come out of this. We would still like to see the ship sail out of Liverpool on her way to Plymouth.”
A spokesman for the Royal Navy said no final decision on whether the base could host HMS Plymouth had been made. He stressed the ship was “no longer a Ministry of Defence asset” and that it had “no practical role” in finding a location.

HMS PLYMOUTH, the last surviving warship to be built at Devonport, “will probably end up as razor blades”.
That was the view of former MP for Plymouth Lord David Owen as he launched an outspoken attack on the Ministry of Defence, having failed to convince Devonport Naval Base to give the frigate a berth.
Lord Owen said he feared the ship, which was bombed in action during the Falklands War, would end up being sold for scrap.
“I have lost hope,” Lord Owen said. “We seem to be incapable of building on our heritage.”
He said it was “just pathetic” the MoD was dragging its heels over selling off the redundant South Yard at Devonport, where he would like to see a Falklands exhibition, with HMS Plymouth as its centrepiece.
He said the Commander of Devonport Naval Base, Commodore Ian Jess, told him last week there was no room to berth the frigate.
No 2 Dock, the listed dry dock which the project might have hoped to use, has had its gates removed in the past three months and was now tidal, making it impracticable.
Lord Owen said he did not blame Cdre Jess, who “has just been landed in the problem”.
“The problem is the harbourmaster and the naval authorities,” Lord Owen added. “Every obstacle has been put up. It’s quite extraordinary - it’s as if there is an element in the Royal Navy that wants to spite those fighting for HMS Plymouth.
“Who decided to remove the gates at No 2 Dock? Why remove them when you are about to sell the land? It would have been much more valuable with a functioning dock.
“South Yard is just sitting there rotting. It’s pathetic. The one thing the MoD owes Plymouth is to get off the land and let the city use it.
“Go to Portsmouth and see what a fantastic tourist attraction it has become. Plymouth has nothing.”
Mike Critchley, the chairman of Warship Management Ltd (WML), which has led the campaign to bring HMS Plymouth back to Plymouth as a tourist attraction, announced yesterday that he had given up.
“Three years of intensive efforts to return HMS Plymouth to her home port to go back on public display appear to have failed,” the former Lieutenant Commander said. “I see the possibility of a breakers yard looming.”
Plymouth city councillor Dr David Salter, who has supported the project in a personal capacity, said: “This outcome is a local and national disgrace.
“I cannot believe the apathy in Plymouth. It is outrageous that in her namesake city, with a huge waterfront and international maritime reputation, no place at all can be found for this historic warship with a proven ability to attract tourists and educate youngsters.
“The council says a project like this must stand on its own feet. There wouldn’t be a council subsidy, and I won’t be calling for one.”
HMS Plymouth was bought by the charity the Warship Preservation Trust from the Ministry of Defence, and opened to the public at Plymouth, Glasgow and, since 1991, Birkenhead on Merseyside. Mr Critchley said she had 88,000 visitors in the first year in Plymouth.
He said her owners had been made offers to sell her for scrap.
Mr Critchley said money raised by former crew members in the HMS Plymouth Association and other donors was enough to buy the vessel and tow her from Merseyside to Plymouth, but possible berths had been blocked by development and berthing costs.
A chapel was built into HMS Plymouth as a memorial to all the British seafarers lost in the South Atlantic in 1982.
“Many a parent and family member has returned to the ship over the years to see their son’s name on the chapel oak panels,” Mr Critchley said.
Historic ships campaigner Sid Anning said the National Heritage Bill, now going through Parliament, contained a “glaring omission” because it will only protect ships on slipways or in dry docks.
HMS Plymouth Association, which raised £30,000 to try to save the warship, said it regretted WML’s decision.
“Many view the failure to find a suitable berth as symptomatic of a society willing to expose its members to all manner of dangers, but once the immediate need is satisfied, equally willing to ignore their subsequent needs,” the association said.
A naval base spokeswoman said: “As she is a privately owned vessel the MoD has no practical role to play in her placement or usage.”
She said no final decisions had been taken on the future of South Yard, which was part of a larger rationalisation of the Naval Base.

HMS Cardiff was not brought back to the capital as a floating museum because city officials decided the cost was too high, it has emerged.

The local Royal Navy Association had agreed a deal to buy the Type-42 destroyer from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for about £105,000 ­ a fraction of what the warship was worth, the Echo has learnt.

A Royal Navy source also said an agreement was made with Associated British Ports (ABP) for a permanent berth at Roath Basin and for the transportation of the ship from Portsmouth back to Cardiff last year.

Utilities such as water and electricity were arranged, and plans for the ship¹s maintenance and security were also well advanced.

But HMS Cardiff was never brought back to the Welsh capital and the Echo recently revealed that the 30-year-old warship was scrapped in Turkey just a day after her replacement, HMS Dragon, was launched.

Now it has emerged that the local authority did consider bringing the ship back to the city ­ but it was decided that the costs involved were too high.

A Cardiff council spokesman said: “Cardiff council did look into bringing HMS Cardiff back to the city as a visitor attraction but the costs involved in establishing this were up to £3m, with an ongoing subsidy of about £200,000 per year”.

“The council was unable to get any financial support from the Welsh Assembly Government or any other funding body to support this and did not have that level of funding available, so was unable to proceed with this as a project”. The campaign to bring HMS Cardiff back to the city gathered pace shortly after the warship was decommissioned three years ago, spearheaded by retired Lieutenant Commander David Walton, who was also chairman of the Cardiff Sea Cadets.

He worked tirelessly for HMS Cardiff’s return and had hoped the ship would be transformed into a floating museum and home for the Sea Cadets.

A Navy source said: “We were offered her (HMS Cardiff) for somewhere in the region of a quarter of a million but David had knocked them down to £105k and that was to be delivered to the door (Roath Basin)”.

“He spoke to ABP, who gave him the berth and he got a charitable trust ready to go… everything was perfect”. The source said that Mr Walton asked Cardiff council to act as a guarantor and supply a bond of £250,000 to ‘rubber stamp’ the sale ­ but that the council refused.

However, Cardiff council denied this. A spokesman said: “We are not aware of or have ever received any requests from the RNA in regard to any bid or bond as they have indicated”. Mr Walton died in August.

His widow Carol said: “He worked very hard to bring her back”.

“It’s very disappointing… It’s a terrible shame”.

“It was a very short-sighted move by Cardiff (council)”.  Since the news of HMS Cardiff’s demise, you’ve been contacting us with your views.

William Surringer, of Porthcawl, said: “I cannot believe the city of Cardiff couldn’t try to keep her here in Cardiff”.  Stephen Tarr, of Danescourt, Cardiff, served on HMS Cardiff as a leading radio operator.

“It’s a great shame that HMS Cardiff is destined to such an unworthy end”, he said.

If possible, please could someone give an update on what is now happening to HMS Plymouth?

F E SHARPE

Plymouth

MYSTERY SHIP

07:30 - 17 May 2008

F e SHARPE (May 7) wants to know about the ongoing saga of HMS Plymouth. The latest edition of Warship World mentions that the MoD recently carried out a survey of the vessel: for whom, for what purpose and at whose expense? What was the result? I thought the MoD sold the ship to a preservation group years ago, so why was the taxpayer-funded MoD involved in the survey? Is it to try and persuade the public a nuclear submarine still owned by the MoD should be used as a tourist attractions at South Yard, albeit with its nuclear power unit removed - in other words, a phoney exhibit?

MIKE STANLEY

Plymouth

At first I thought the caller was winding me up, pulling my leg or setting me up to be laughed at or ridiculed.There are still some ‘harbour-minded’ folk who, a year or so back, scoffed at my suggestion of ‘grounding’ an aircraft carrier or a decommissioned car-carrier off Freshwater Quarry, to use as a tourist attraction-cum-car park.

I still reckon the basic idea had some merit, but believing in democracy, the project was cast into the ‘delete’ section of my brain.

Anyway, back to the telephone call. The gentleman calmly explained that it had come to his knowledge that the Admiralty were looking for a permanent berth for the frigate HMS Plymouth and he wondered what my thoughts were on mooring the vessel within Brixham’s outer harbour?
When I realised he was serious, my mind went into overdrive planning the best berth - the old fuelling jetty on the end of the breakwater? - with a mini bus service out the breakwater or water taxis servicing the visiting public to the ship.

She could be used as a floating - not grounded - Naval museum, with perhaps the Brixham Heritage museum housed within the ample accommodation.

Plus, she’d make a good conference centre, harbourmaster’s offices, pilot station or a sail-training school ??? the list goes on.

From the internet it appears that HMS Plymouth is berthed in Birkenhead while a permanent berth is being sought. She was destined for Plymouth’s Millbay Docks but apparently, perhaps because of commercial development in that port, that idea seems to have been scuppered.

Perhaps I’ll get in touch with ex-RN man Danny Irvine and sound him out on the idea.

HMS Plymouth would lie afloat at the breakwater’s old Esso jetty. But this wouldn’t afford her perfect safety unless a northern arm protected the outer harbour.

Having said that, the total regeneration development of the outer harbour is dependent on thousands of tons of stone being strategically placed between Battery Point and the existing breakwater.

The new fishmarket and new trawler berths will certainly require untroubled waters for safe working.

I’m quite happy to debate this controversial issue. Only the other day a delightful local lady voiced her concern on the amount of funding required to construct another breakwater, saying: “In the past, speaking to older fishermen, they say a northern arm isn’t necessary.”

Maybe, but that was partly because back in the ‘old days’ the working section of the harbour, fish landings, berthing, and so on, was done in the sheltered inner harbour area. Plus, the ol’ boys realised that another outer ’stone wall’ would cost them more in extra fish landing tolls.

I’ve steadfastly maintained that there are ways of funding a northern arm without filling the open spaces of Oxen Cove and Freshwater Quarry with high-rise apartments, second homes or multi-berthed private marinas.

What this port cries out for is decent marine repair facilities, coupled with additional parking and free flowing garden areas for locals and visitors to enjoy.

These can certainly be achieved without the natural shoreline being blighted by skyscrapers or misguided ‘visions’.

IN THE past, distant mumbles from Torquay Town Hall began with, ‘The trouble with Brixham is apathy! The residents don’t know what they want’.

Personally, I’ve never really subscribed to that theory. The unfortunate truth is that the south side of Torbay suffers from a ‘numbers’ problem.

Torbay Council’s collective power of 36 elected members makes it slightly lopsided for Brixham’s political benefit. Having only five representatives, it’s sometimes difficult to gain a voice or a fair vote.

Experienced politicians tell me it’s down to residential voters within the three towns. Apparently, we only have two wards, Berry Head with Furzeham and St Mary’s with Summercombe while Paignton has six and Torquay has seven wards.

Until last Saturday I was prepared to dismiss the apathy theory pointed at Brixham, believing that we DO care. We DO have opinions as to how we should live.

As a committed community we are more than ready to speak up for what we believe to be fair???

But then I discovered there were fewer than 50 residents sitting in the Community Hall at the annual meeting of BASRA, Brixham Amenity Society and Residents Association.

With membership reaching nearly 600, 50 was a sorry reflection of community concern.

Reaching towards great changes in regeneration and development that will affect the way our future is mapped out, I’d have thought there’d be standing room only at the annual meeting.

Many of the town’s business and professional people were nowhere in sight. I could see no representatives of various prominent associations who state they care what happens.

Could they not spare an hour or two to voice an opinion?

To their credit, town councillors, Chris Bedford, Peter Killick, Mike Morey and Gordon Boote - with Chris Lomas in charge of the PA system - answered questions with a great deal of genuine commitment.

People in the audience complained about the disgraceful state of many of our roads, potholes and pavements.

They also displayed anger at the possible loss of Wishing’s Field, historically used by kids as a play area, for further housing development.

Concern was expressed over Tesco’s delay with plans and public consultation that will change the skyline within the town centre.

They also showed disgust at Torbay Council’s enforcement officer, who, without apparent consideration for the personal circumstances of some Bolton Street residents, posted ‘threatening’ letters of intent. Consequently, although only 50 strong, the sparks flew.

Concern was voiced regarding the venue, date and time of BM21’s annual meeting, which for some reason has not been widely publicised. It was established that the meeting takes place at the Berry Head Hotel on Tuesday at 7.15pm. All are welcome.

Chairman Edgar Lawrance wisely drew the meeting to a close as the start-time for the Grand National drew closer.

Fat lot of good it did me as my selections either fell or got pulled up. I must remember to ask Edgar, in the theme of Grotbusters, if he backed Comply or Die?

We have in fact been up to all sorts of things, as some of you may know we had an excellent splash of publicity last November courtesy of the Plymouth Evening Herald and Lord Owen who spoke on our behalf at ‘Making Plymouth Great’, a business to business exhibition at Plymouth University.

Lord Owen has expressed considerable interest in our cause and spoken on our behalf on several other occasions.

It might seem a little unbelievable at this stage and some will ask why haven’t we said this before but we have discovered ‘options’ here in Plymouth.  None are ideal, which is why we haven’t acted on any or publicised our findings.

There are disused commercial moorings on the Tamar which could (at a cost) be upgraded and adapted for Plymouth’s use (the owner of the moorings has been approached and ‘agreed in principle’ that they could be used by Plymouth).  It has also been suggested that she could be ‘mounted’ off the Northern side of Mountbatten breakwater.  We think that this idea would be even more difficult and expensive than the preferred ‘golden option’ of a pocket berth in Sutton harbour (which was estimated circa £2 million) but perhaps someone knows better, and even better, might be able to help? 

The latest option to be explored was to sit ‘on the mud’ alongside Howard’s Quay on the river Plym.  The area is (currently) not the ideal spot for tourism being next to a scrapyard and close to a South West Water treatment plant but, there’s a lot of space and a quayside in good condition.  Image courtesy OF ‘Google Earth’.

The quay has been mostly cleared since this image was taken so car parking and building (?) should pose no problem and the road access is being improved.

We aren’t saying ‘let’s take her there next Spring’ but the site remains an option and doesn’t stop us from moving her elsewhere in the future.  Having said that, the owner is looking for a ‘long term’ deal.  For those that want to place the quay geographically, it’s around 250m South of Laira bridge which IS the main road linking Plymouth to Plymstock and the South Hams.  Plymouth would certainly dominate the local skyline.  Image courtesy OF ‘Google Earth’.

The benefits OF being alongside far outweigh the cheaper option of a mooring IN that power, water and waste disposal are readily available and access is simple and not weather dependant.  It’s not Sutton harbour, it’s not even Vittoria dock but it’s better than a beach in India or Indonesia!

One of our most vociferous supporters, Professor David Salter (Plymouth City Councillor and cabinet member) still has hopes of berthing in Sutton harbour, as I’m sure we would all like to do but the price tag may preclude that option, unless there’s a very wealthy ‘type 12 fan’ out there watching and waiting for the perfect moment!

 There have been a couple of items on the Association’s message board recently about getting more publicity and stimulating wider interest, about which we don’t disagree but as I stated earlier, we had some terrific radio, TV and newspaper coverage and support last year.  The Associations funds have grown but WML have gained no further offers of  (financial) support and yes, we have asked.  Most importantly despite our publicity, no offer of a berth has come forward apart from those mentioned above and they came about through our own research (Howard’s Quay at the suggestion of a friend of Lord Owen).

AS we’ve said on many occasions (courtesy Mike Critchley) ‘we could have millions IN the bank (AND a host OF willing volunteers, ED) but it’s of no use without a wall to park against’!