Updated Jan 2011
Somerleyton Hovercraft Celebration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hovercraft Roundel Memorial
Sunshine all the way for Ceremony to lay the Roundel at the test site on the
Pergola Lawn at Somerleyton Hall - 3rd July 2006
Over a hundred invited guests spent a very pleasant afternoon at Somerleyton Hall on Monday 3rd of July. The sun was incredibly hot and the shelter of the Wisteria along the Pergola was very welcome. At 2.30 pm Lord Somerleyton opened the event and gave a short introductory speech welcoming everyone and explained the significance of the Pergola Lawn site in the Hovercraft story. He then introduced Frances Cockerell (Mrs F K Airy) who made an interesting speech drawing on her recollections of the early 1950's and the background to what became pages in our maritime history. Mrs Airy thanked those who had played a part in the story and speculated that perhaps in the future an ocean going Hovercraft fuelled by hydrogen extracted from seawater might be possible.
Mrs Airy then formally unveiled the Hovercraft Roundel Memorial by drawing away a large Red Ensign draped over it. Later Anglia Television reporter Rhiannon Mills interviewed Mrs Airy and Douglas Rushmer and it was broadcast on Tuesday the 4th July. The Eastern Daily and the Lowestoft Journal were also there and gave the project some very good publicity.
The Hovercraft Roundel Memorial is the gift of Douglas and Sally Rushmer. Douglas was managing director of the Ripplecraft Boatyard until his retirement in 1976.
For More Information Contact:
Somerleyton Hovercraft Celebration
Somerleyton Hall, Nr Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 5QQ
Email - admin@hovercraftsomerleyton.org.uk