Shirley Jean Adye
   
The Return of Shirley Jean Adye.    

25th October 2005

    
Today saw the return of the old CVLS lifeboat the Shirley Jean Adye. The boat had made the journey by road from Falmouth where it has recently undergone considerable restoration work. The owners Mr & Mrs Baker had learned of the recent Caister Lifeboat Appeal and asked if CVLS would like it back to form part of a display in the old lifeboat station. John Cannell and other crew members had visited Falmouth last month to examine the condition of the old Liverpool class boat and consider the feasability of arranging a display. During restoration the lifeboat has been repainted in its original colours, the cowling is now in its original sealed wood finish and the boat is generally in very good condition for its age. Several crew that served on the lifeboat were present to help with its return, notably Percy Griffin the "Singing Bowman", John Cannell and Mick Nutt. Other crew members, too young to have served, could only look on in ore appreciating what it must have been like to put to sea and carry out rescues in such a vessel, the stories they had been told becoming all the more real for seeing the vessel for the first time.

We are grateful to Mr & Mrs Baker for allowing us to display the lifeboat and to the assistance of the following companies who have given there services, free of charge, to bring the Shirley Jean Adye back to Caister. A.W. Plant Services handled the lifeboat in a very professional way, returning it safely to the carriage as these pictures confirm.

A.W. Plant Services
M.D.F. Transport.
Matthews Transport.

Pictures Anthony Benson
     

25th October 11 a.m. arrival from Falmouth

The Shirley Jean Adye back in its original colours.
   

The lifting company made this job look easy!
taking great care.

As the Shirley Jean Adye was lifted from its transport
   

manouvered around

towards the launching carriage below
   

 

Percy Griffin and Mick Nutt look on as the boat is lowered
onto the launching carriage
   

Percy, John and Owen observe the final few inches
of lowering

Securing chains are fitted.
   

John Cannell steps aboard, recalling memories and
delighting in the quality of the wood finish on deck.

Richard Thurlow Jnr Looks over the Shirley Jean Ayde,
A very different lifeboat than he is used to.
   

Mick Nutt also served aboard this lifeboat, seen here
adjusting the securing chains.

Now inside the Old Station crew members take a first look.
     
The old Lifeboat Station has undergone several stages of referbishment during recent months in preparation for the Naming Ceremony last July and in some cases forming part of the ongoing programme of maintenance required. During the winter months it is hoped to carry out further work, currently the doors are being sealed to prevent the ingress of sand. When ready CVLS will announce the opening of the lifeboat display at the Old Lifeboat Station.