Local entrepreneur takes helm at Lively Lady charity
A local entrepreneur and philanthropist has taken the helm of Around and Around, the charity that looks after Sir Alec Rose’s Lively Lady.
Mark Smith, from Old Portsmouth, has become the new Chairman of the Charity, which looks after the boat on behalf of Portsmouth City Council.
The a former Royal Navy sailor and businessman will drive forward the seven month renovation project, that will see the vessel restored to her former glory in time for the 50th anniversary of Sir Alec’s epic solo circumnavigation.
Mr Smith commented: “It is an honour and a privilege to become the Chairman of Around & Around, which is the custodian of Lively Lady. The yacht is a true icon of the sailing world, but more than that, she is an important part of Portsmouth’s maritime history and our City’s story.
“The voyage by Sir Alec showed that so-called ordinary people can do the most extraordinary things. It inspired a generation of young people and sailors to get out on the water and I hope as we approach next year’s important anniversary we can reach the next generation and encourage them to do the same.”
The announcement of Mr Smith’s appointment was made as work continues to restore the yacht. The historic sailing boat, built in 1948, was moved last month from the Camber Docks in Portsmouth to the Hayling Yacht Company, which is overseeing the work to repair, refurbish and repaint the vessel by a team of volunteers.
The restoration project is being supported by ocean racing legend Alan Priddy, the founder of Around and Around and outgoing Chairman and skipper of Team Britannia. He sailed the yacht around the world in 2006-08 with a group of young people and adult volunteers from Portsmouth. Following the voyage he agreed to become the custodian of the vessel in a deal with Portsmouth City Council.
As part of the agreement Around and Around promised to refurbish the 70 year old vessel, replacing the deck and undertaking some minor modernisation work to the galley to ensure she meets modern health and safety rules.
Mr Priddy commented: “I want to wish Mark the very best as he takes the helm of Around and Around and the stewardship of Lively Lady. She is an incredible yacht, which has sailed twice around the world. The last time she did this was just a decade ago, giving more than two-dozen young people from our area the opportunity to experience a voyage of a lifetime. Our ambition for Lively Lady, once refurbished is to mark the anniversary of Sir Alec’s return 50 years ago and to continue to provide opportunities for young people from Portsmouth and Hampshire to experience sailing.”
Lively Lady has been lifted out of the water and placed under cover to allow an experienced shipwright to oversee the work that will see the deck replaced, engine refurbished and the wheelhouse rebuilt, before she is repainted in the distinctive sky blue that makes her so recognisable. Already much of the damaged wood has been repaired and replaced, while new keel bolts have been fitted and work has started on the deck substructure.
In total the work is expected to take up to seven months, when she will be refloated in time for the celebrations being organised by the charity and local community. It is hoped that these celebrations will include sailing along Southsea seafront recreating the return of Sir Alec, with a member of the Rose family taking the helm.
Mr Smith concluded: “We are incredibly lucky in Portsmouth to be home of the Royal Navy, a thriving dockyard and the base for both an America’s Cup Team and Team Britannia the round the world powerboat record attempt. But too many people think sailing is an elite pursuit - It is not as Sir Alec showed.
“Working with, the community, local sailing clubs and hopefully the Outdoor Centre we want to encourage, inspire and drive greater participation and who knows, perhaps we might find the next Sir Alec.”
Work to get under way to restore Sir Alec Rose’s iconic yacht Lively Lady
Work to get under way to restore Sir Alec Rose’s iconic yacht Lively Lady to her former glory in time to mark the 50th anniversary of the historic solo circumnavigation.
The historic sailing boat, built in 1948, was moved today from the Camber Docks in Portsmouth to the Hayling Yacht Company on Hayling Island, which is overseeing the work to repair, refurbish and repaint the vessel.
The boat was moved from Portsmouth to Hayling Island by tug expert Dave Baker, under the watchful eye of Mark Smith, incoming Chairman of the charity Around and Around.
Mr Smith commented: “Lively Lady is a true icon of the sailing world, and of our City that inspired a generation of young people to take up sailing. So I am delighted that we have finally been able to move her to Hayling Island where work can get under way to refurbish her in time for next year’s celebrations.”
The restoration project is being supported by ocean racing legend Alan Priddy and founder of Around and Around. He sailed the yacht around the world in 2006-08 with a group of young people and adult volunteers from Hampshire. Following the voyage he agreed to become the custodian of the vessel in a deal with Portsmouth City Council and the children’s charity Around and Around.
As part of the agreement, the Charity promised to refurbish the 70 year old vessel, replacing the deck and undertaking some minor modernisation work to the galley to ensure she meets modern health and safety rules.
Mr Priddy commented: “This an important milestone for everyone who loves Lively Lady, Sir Alec and his epic adventure. Sir Alec was my inspiration to learn to sail, a real Portsmouth hero who defied considerable odds and obstacles to become just the second person to sail single-handedly around the world. A feat even today, but he did this without any of the modern tools we see as essential.”
Lively Lady will be lifted out of the water before being placed under cover to allow an experienced shipwright to oversee the work that will see the deck replaced, engine refurbished and the wheelhouse being rebuilt, before she is repainted in the distinctive sky blue that makes her so instantly recognisable.
The work is expected to take around seven months, when she will be refloated in time for the event to mark the 50thanniversary of the round the world voyage. It is hoped that these will include sailing along Southsea seafront, recreating the return of Sir Alec, with a member of the Rose family taking the helm once again.
Mr Priddy added: “We had hoped that much of the work we required would have been completed by now, but were let down. Following news of this we have been contacted by boatyards and shipwrights from across Hampshire and Dorset offering their services. I want to thank all them for their support. It is because of these kind offers and the army of volunteers who have come forward that I am confident she will be shipshape for next year’s festivities.”
Mr Priddy concluded: “I know that Mark and everyone from the Charity are looking forward to getting to work, so now it’s just a case of rolling up our sleeves and getting cracking.”
Iconic yacht Lively Lady to recreate famous 1968 homecoming along Southsea Seafront – Saturday 28thJuly
Sir Alec Rose’s iconic sailing boat, Lively Lady, is to recreate her famous 1968 homecoming along Southsea Seafront, following a major refurbishment programme - Saturday, 28thJuly.
The volunteers will sail from the Eastney Cruising Association along the entire length of the seafront before entering Portsmouth Harbour and sailing to Port Solent.
The yacht will arrive at the Port Solent lock, shortly before 3.00pm, before taking up residence at the popular shopping and leisure destination, which will become her new home, close to the bars, restaurants and shops of the Boardwalk.
The yacht will be sailed into Port Solent, which is celebrating its 30thanniversary, by Mark Smith the Chairman of the charity Around & Around. Mr Smith will be joined by ocean racing legend Alan Priddy and other volunteers who have worked on the boat during an eight-month restoration programme.
Date: Saturday 28thJuly 2018
Time: Lively Lady will leave Eastney Cruising Association at 11.00am, arriving at PortSolent Lock at 3pm. There she will be moved to her new home in the marina.
Place: The Boardwalk, Port Solent, Portsmouth PO6 4TP.
Lively Lady restoration scopes top prize at National Historic Ships UK awards
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