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Cheers as Lively Lady returns
The historic ship Lively Lady has returned to Portsmouth to a huge welcome from crowds.
Hundreds greeted the vessel as she finished her epic round-the-world journey at by sailing into Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, at around 12.30pm.
Champagne bottles were cracked open to mark her arrival and youngsters who had taken part in her voyage paraded behind a piper to take applause from the crowd.
The amazing Lively Lady project has cost more than 250,000 and has transformed the lives of the 34 youngsters who have taken part.
Along the way they have dodged pirates, avoided tsunamis, been stranded in gale force winds – and had the time of their lives.
Today the man behind the trip told The News of the impact it has had.
Alan Priddy, project mastermind and skipper, said: 'Today is one of the most incredible days and it's hard to believe this amazing voyage has finally come to an end.
'It's been a huge undertaking and it's taken a lot of people to make it work, but it's been wonderful to see the change in the young adults on the project.
'They've gained enormously in confidence, life skills and experience.
'We've covered so much ground and they have done incredible things in that time.
'Today they will sail into the history books as the first crew to sail a classic boat around the world.
'One thing that is for sure – Sir Alec Rose and his beloved Lively Lady will never be forgotten.'
Vicky Henton, 17, from Cosham, was selected for the last leg, along with Jay William, 22, Ben Sumner, 16 and Lauren Harris, 17.
Vicky said: 'My most memorable moment was being sat on deck on an early morning watch and seeing a dozen dolphins playing in the bow wave in front of us.
'Through this project I have seen and done so many things I'd never dreamt of before – it's been an amazing experience.'
Ben Sumner added: 'The project was just the chance of a lifetime – while being involved in it I have found out that almost anything is possible.'
While the trip is now over, the future looks bright for Lively Lady, as the team behind the project has asked the historic yacht's owner, Portsmouth City Council, if they can retain guardianship.
The boat would then be used for another trip to take youngsters around the globe – but with the youths from this trip as skippers.
Mr Priddy said: 'I'm too old to sail around the world again.
'But we've got half a dozen youths from this trip who are well on their way to being qualified, so we want them to skipper the next trip and we can carry on with this amazing project.'
Alan Priddy and his team have guardianship of the boat until mid-September, when her fate will be decided by the city council.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -5 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
