‘Makaira’
takes cover
A lady of the sea is taking on a
new summer bonnet!
‘Makaira’, one of the Pembroke Dock
Flying Boat Centre’s star exhibits, now has an
all-weather cover, generously provided by scaffolding
company Kitsons which has a depot close by in the Port
of Pembroke. This will allow the team of enthusiastic
volunteers from the Sunderland Trust to work on the
vessel, which is believed to have served with the RAF
locally.
The team is led by Greg Laycock who
has mapped out a programme to repair and repaint the 47
ft long vessel.
Said Greg: “We are most grateful to
Eamonn Thomas and the team from Kitsons Enviromental
Europe Ltd for so generously supporting us. It has given
us a big boost and we have the summer ahead in which to
carry out a lot of work on ‘Makaira’. We want to return
it more to its RAF look and we will also be continuing
to research its history and the many roles it has played
during a long military and later civilian career.”
‘Makaira’, which is fully equipped
and in working order, was brought by road from Swansea
last year. It is on long term loan to the Pembroke Dock
Sunderland Trust from owner Richard Harvey who now lives
in Australia.
“Craft such as ‘Makaira’ had a long
connection with Pembroke Dock and we are looking forward
to a busy summer, and to returning the RAF roundel to
the bow. It’s part of our local history,” added Greg.
* ‘Makaira’ is on view alongside
the Flying Boat Centre which is open Tuesdays to
Saturdays inclusive, 10 am - 4 pm.
Funding for the Centre is from
the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is
funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, and the
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
This is administered locally by Pembrokeshire County
Council.
Caption:
Under cover. ‘Makaira’ shows
off the new cover with, left to right, Billy Jones and
Eamonn Thomas of Kitsons; Sunderland Trust volunteers
Greg Laycock and Derek Lawrence, and Ian Rome of Kitsons.
PICTURE: Martin Cavaney
Photography.