THIS WEEK IN 1975: Poly pirates ahoy!

Ahoy there, me hearties. It had been a while since the old Still and West pub had seen such nefarious goings on, until a horde of pirate lads and lasses scaled the walls with ropes and ladders to capture the strategic drinking post nestled at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour.
Nearly at the top for Vivien Carey as she climbs up the wall to the veranda of the Still and WestNearly at the top for Vivien Carey as she climbs up the wall to the veranda of the Still and West
Nearly at the top for Vivien Carey as she climbs up the wall to the veranda of the Still and West

Even the defence points of Southsea Castle and the naval dockyard, lying on either side, were not able to step in to prevent the assault.

The marauders, bent on achieving a prize booty – charity donations for Portsmouth Polytechnic rag week – were in four sailing dinghies belonging to the Polytechnic Sailing Club.

First to scale the concrete walls of the pub overlooking the sea were Lynne Colclough and Vivien Carey, both 19, who leapt from their craft, swept in on a high tide and a strong following wind.

Related topics: