This Saturday morning (7th February, 2009) saw the arrival of the Hoylake lifeboat (The Lady of Hilbre) at her new home in the recently constructed state-of-the-art station.
A decent crowd of on-lookers, amateur photographers and would-be local blog publishers (that’ll be me then!) turned out to welcome the boat and her crew on a bright, cool morning. Some of crew came in first, towed by the tractor followed by the boat itself. After the machines and boat had a good hose down the boat was slowly pulled in to her new home.
It’s worthy of mention just how welcoming the volunteer crew are; the station was open and members of the public had a great opportunity to take stacks of close-up photos and ask questions of some of the crew.
Shame of course to leave the old station behind, having been a home to boats and crews for around 200 years. What will become of the old building when the final bits and pieces are removed? I understand that the building is owned by Peel Holdings (Port of Liverpool owners).
I took quite a few photographs, as did many others. Here’s just a sample:
Claire Hughes says
Well, I’m made up that I can keep tabs on what is going on in my home town! I moved away 4yrs ago now and miss Hoylake,well,the Wirral-Gods Green Acre,terribly. I do,however,come back especially for Life-Boat Day and will be there along with my daughter and my partner Gordon.
Hoylake has always been a big part of my life as that is where most of my childhood memories come from. Can’t believe that the library is closing down,what a great loss to a lot of local people. I hope that it isn’t to make way for another wine bar!
I look forward to coming back for this years Life-Boat Day,and seeing my friends. Lets hope we raise a good amount of funds this year. Thankyou.
John says
Hi Claire – thanks for visiting !
There’s a chance the library will be saved …there’s a review of the decision soon.
Cheers
John
Bill Hughes says
Claire, am wondering about your Hughes heritage…which Hughes family you are from. My great great grandfather was Thomas Hughes and he was an owner of the old Punchbowl Pub on Market street before it was sold and torn down and rebuilt. He had 4 sons, William, Thomas, John and Archie. There are also other cousins named Rainford, Dodd, Barlow, Jones, Harding….. Take care. Bill Hughes