My first blog is a re-write of an article that I wrote for the November 21st issue of the Hastings Independent.
So, why was traffic in Hastings Old Town inconvenienced for a couple of hours last Saturday 15th? So that a 93 years old lifeboat could be pulled up The Bourne to a purpose-built dry dock at the foot of Old London Road; it could only happen in Hastings!
A year or so ago, a rather unkempt Priscilla MacBean had been found in a field near Eastbourne by Hastings-born Dee-Day White, who soon brought his pals since childhood, Tush Hamilton and Charlie Sharrod, 'on board' his project. They now form the committee of The Priscilla MacBean Trust, together with wives, Bev and Pat, and the patron, the Mayor of Hastings.
The list of people who helped the project goes on and on, and no doubt will carry on increasing. With the help of friends and significant financial, physical and material support from many people of Hastings, the Priscilla MacBean was brought to, and restored on, land provided by East Hastings Sea Angling Club, as a monument to the RNLI and its staff.
During the week, Priscilla MacBean had been on show at The Stade.
On the Friday 14th, Tush et al were carrying out some final work, whilst Dee-Day made sure they carried out the work properly. Truly, he was posing for me!
On Saturday, at the Stade, Jonathan Mendenhall shared some history of this retired lifeboat (for some of her history see
www.ehsaa.org.uk) and Father Fetherstone blessed her, also conducting a service of rememberence for the 17 crew members of the Rye lifeboat who lost their lives in the Mary Stanford tragedy 86 years ago to the day.
Before the parade started, Fiona Harrison sang a couple of appropriate hymns, and some of the hundreds of spectators joined in, whilst preparations were made to pull Priscilla MacBean up The Bourne.
Leaving The Stade for the road, and the start of her journey.
The Parade included many invited dignitaries, including Baron Boyce (retired Admiral of the Fleet); lifeboat crews, Coast Guard and the mayors of Rye, Eastbourne and Hastings; Amber Rudd MP; Hastings Borough Councillors, and many more.
It took just 1 hour and 20 minutes, for a combined team from the Fire Service, Bonfire Society and a RNLI vehicle, to pull the boat, using the traditional method with trows, and the cooperation of local Police, to get from the Stade to safely securing her in her new home at the foot of Old London Road, and raising the sails. Congratulations to all, and trusting those inconvenienced appreciate the reason.
People walking up the hill were smiling from ear to ear!
Having reached the dry dock, traffic had been diverted via Harold Road, and the crane was positioned to transfer Priscilla MacBean. I suggest about a thousand people were in attendance overall, at The Stade, coming up The Bourne, and here (above), for the 'docking'.
The Priscilla MacBean will now be the first landmark visitors see when they reach Hastings Old Town. This Friday evening, 21st November at 6pm, the Mayor of Hastings officially switched on the lights, more of in my next blog.
There are too many people to name all who contributed to the project, but Dee-Day and Tush said that Priscilla MacBean is now "yours", ie the people of Hastings. Dee-Day did ask me to mention that all the electrical work was supplied free, Josephine Cranford and Hastings Borough Council paying for the lighting; the council also provided her resting place for a peppercorn rent.
With thanks and respect to our lifeboat crews, to the crew of the Mary Stanford, and all RNLI volunteers who have met similar fates trying to protect and save the public. R.I.P.
