Warship Management Ltd

11:00 - 12 April 2008 - Torquay Herald Express.

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?

Nov 7 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

ONE of the remaining historic warships in Birkenhead could have a new home in the town she was named after.

HMS Plymouth had been part of the warship collection in Birkenhead docks, which closed two years ago when it lost its funding.

Other ships, such as the submarine HMS Onyx, which has gone to Barrow, and U534, which will form the centrepiece of an attraction at Woodside, have new homes ready or in preparation.

Argentine forces in South Georgia signed their surrender in the wardroom of HMS Plymouth.

The frigate was one of the first Navy ships to arrive in the South Atlantic after the Argentine invasion.

Yesterday Lord Owen, who as Chancellor of Liverpool University was in the region to hand out degree awards, was taken for a tour.

As MP for Plymouth, and a former minister of the Navy from 1968-70, he had taken great interest in her fate.

He said he hopes to have the ship towed to a temporary berth at Plymouth, leading eventually to a Falklands War museum and memorial there.

Lord Owen said the Falklands conflict had been the “last great naval battle” and added: “It’s absolutely scandalous that there IS NOT a museum TO remind people.”