(Picture courtesy of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society)

If you’re a fan of the Waverley Paddle Steamer, or interested in shipping or heritage transport, you’ll want to put Saturday April 1st in your diary.

The local branch of the Paddle Steam Preservation Society (PSPS) are hosting a talk by the managing director of Waverley Excursions, Paul Semple, and everybody is invited.

Paul will be travelling from his native Scotland to talk about ‘Operating Waverley beyond her 75th birthday’, and will be sharing his personal recollections of the steamer. He will also be sharing the challenges of operating a heritage steamer, owned by a charity, in today’s business world. There will be special reference to the
years the vessel has been visiting the Island, and the popular tours around the Island which start from Yarmouth Pier.

The PS Waverley returned to the Island last September, her first visit after an absence of four years, and plans to return again this year from September 1-21.

Originally ordered by the London & North Eastern Railway and built, in 1947, for services on the Firth of Clyde, the paddle steamer sailed under the flag Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd. until 1973. The following year she was sold for just £1 to the PSPS who set up Waverley Steam Navigation to operate the vessel. Earlier this year, a successful appeal for funds to pay for repairs and dry dock fees raised over £150,000.

Refreshments – tea, coffee and home-made cakes – will be available.

For further information, please contact local PSPS committee member, Chris Phillips, on 01983 867805 or CPAssocs@aol.com.

Information taken from IW Observer 24-3-23