Dress Code

They’ve given me a new blue shirt
for eight years Volunteering,
no longer with two ragged cuffs –
a much more tidy feeling.

When I started all those years ago
I asked about the rig -
for scruffy when on public show
would be quite “infra dig”.

A trip to M and S ensued,
Dark trousers purchased there –
plus shoes & socks in darkest black -
that’s what I had to wear.

The collar’s turned on my first shirt,
but cuffs defeated me;
(The issue fleece can hide them,
so the visitors can’t see).

But now a further problem -
as the years are passing by,
the shoes are getting tatty
however hard I try.

The right one has a nasty split
(though only worn on shift) –
so should I buy a new pair?
and give morale a lift.

New shoes could outlast me –
when this Oldie is retired,
but no one has yet told me
when I’ll be “Time Expired”

Mike Pennell (NMMC Poet Laureate)

Ahoy Cruise Ships & Others

by Clive Mathison

On Sunday afternoon, 9 September, my first duty location was in 'Lookout' where there were several visitors looking at a newly arrived vessel anchored at County Wharf. "Look," said an interested couple who were from Finland, "there is a container ship." They then asked me if Falmouth was a container port and how many and how often container ships dock in Falmouth harbour. I explained that Falmouth harbour has a variety of vessels arriving and departing including cruise ships, however it is not a container port like Southampton.

As the vessel had only just arrived there was no available information about the vessel located in the Lookout display. Having spent many years in Southampton port boarding ships of different shapes and sizes my interest in ocean going liners and other vessels was rekindled.

The vessel is refrigerated and it is a 'reefer' category, named Star Endeavour 1, registered in Singapore and is currently on charter to Del Monte for the transport of bananas and citrus fruits. It has a tonnage of 14,022 and was built in 2010. It arrived in Falmouth for a re-fit.

The man from Del Monte said yes to Falmouth docks!

Grumpy Volunteer's Corner

by Keith Evans

After a recent talk in Lookout in which, as usual, I mentioned that Dutch engineers had been commissioned to build the quays in Falmouth & Flushing in the early 1600s, a young Dutch couple approached me. She was gorgeous: petite, short blonde hair, blue eyes & a dazzling smile. But I digress, sorry about that. Now, where was I? Oh yes, "Why Dutch engineers?" she asked. "Well," I said, "Dutch engineers have always been expert at building quays and dykes. Our silly environmentalists surrender land to the sea. Yours are much more sensible & have always reclaimed land." She beamed & held her hands away from her head suggesting a big head.

The Antique's Roadshow is coming to the museum & they've been asking for volunteers to help. I did consider applying but on second thoughts I'd probably be mistaken for one of the exhibits. I can see the entry in the catalogue now: 'An unusual specimen of Celtic-ware. Shows signs of wear & has seen better days. Slightly cracked but not quite ready for the scrap-heap.' I don't think I'll take the risk!

Gold for our local hero

During the afternoon sesion at the Maritime Museum on 5 August 2012 it was announced that the Finn racing event would be screened in the theatre for visitors to watch. There was, at the time of the showing of the race, a quietness in the building as most of the visitors found their way to the theatre. When the viewing of the Olympic race was over & Ben Ainslie's success had been announced there was a rush of visitors to the Waterfront pool & Clive Mathison & John Fortey found themselves swamped with contestants aged 5 years to 55 years (plus), all wanting to race our model yachts. Parents were taking photographs of their children on the model Olympic podium & applauding Ben Ainslie's success with cheers & clapping. Our Waterfront location was extremely busy right until closing time. The 'buzz' was really amazing and it was great to be a part of the enthusiasm of the Olympic success of Great Britain's team hero.

Clive Mathison, Volunteer

Grumpy Volunteer's Corner

by Keith Evans

Even the seagulls are fed up with this summer. A couple of them were sheltering under an umbrella on the pontoon. I heard snatches of conversation and the gist of it was as follows: "I blame Jonathan. He did a rain dance with that pink duster and rather over did it." "Have you seen that so-called Bronze Age boat? Actually it's a replica Noah's Ark but noone will admit to it." "Well, you know what happened to the original. It ended up on top of a mountain. I blame Mrs Noah for that. She didn't know port from starboard." "This one is Andy's Ark. It'll probably end up on St Agnes Beacon if the Cornish wreckers have anything to do with it." "Down the coast, of course, that bloke St Piran came ashore on a millstone having sailed from Ireland." "I don't believe a word of it. Millstones have a hole in the middle." "Well, you've heard of the Dutch boy who stuck his finger in a hole. St Piran put his toe in the hole. He was said to be chanting when he came ashore. Actually he was wailing in pain because he got his toe stuck in the hole."

Now enough of this nonsense. Where was I? Oh yes, the seagull on the pontoon. A couple of crabs were celebrating at the other end. "They'll never let the little darlings down here in this weather" one said. "They can keep their rotten bait." Just then the two seagulls took off squawking "Into each life a little rain must fall, but this is ridiculous!"