Portsmouth remember 10th anniversary of Lively Lady's epic adventure

Lively Lady leaves Gunwharf Quays in July 2006

And today, the city has united to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Lively Lady’s second voyage around the world.

The iconic cutter left Gunwharf Quays a decade ago to begin her two-year adventure, which would see her circumnavigate the globe.

It was the second time the vessel had completed such a feat since she first made the perilous journey with Sir Alec Rose, nearly 50 years ago.

Now, ten years on from the start of her last voyage, the 36ft boat is being prepared for her next adventure – a third trip around the world.

Carol Jenkinson was part of the shore team who organised for city youngsters to take part in the journey.

She said the project had changed the lives of all the children involved – who are now all adults.

Speaking of the moment Lively Lady set sail in 2006, she said: ‘It was a beautiful day. Gunwharf Quays was absolutely packed with people and boats to send us off. I’ll never forget it.’

Lively Lady is now based at Boathouse No 4, in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard.

A £250,000 project is seeing her being refitted in preparation for her next adventure in 2018 – set to tie in with the 50th anniversary of Sir Alec’s return.

Portsmouth South MP Flick Drummond is a trustee at the boatbuilding college, whose students are repairing the famed vessel.

She said: ‘We’re so lucky to have the Lively Lady in the city and in Boathouse No 4.

‘We are a maritime city and sailing should be part of our DNA. I want to make sure all children have this chance

‘Lively Lady is the pinnacle of this hope, allowing disadvantaged children to go sailing around the globe.’

The boat’s decks have been removed ready for new ones to be fixed.

But Carol, who is a trustee of maritime charity Around and Around, added the project still needed to city’s help to make it a success.

‘This is the people’s boat – not ours,’ she said. ‘We’re just the caretakers. It’s a Portsmouth boat that is part of the city’s history and we want to keep that alive.’

To support the project see livelylady.org.