Semi-recently, we had the idea that to make one of our YouTube channels a little more interesting, we must engage in more interviews. We have already been down to Aberystwyth to do interviews with researchers and lecturers there for our Bailey Robotics channel (yet to be launched properly), so why not with our other channel North Wales Boats and Planes (providing we can find interviewees of course).
We will obviously write about this in a lot more detail on the relevant website (North Wales Boats and Planes), however it’s worth writing a bit here so it’s easier to find later on.
I wrote to the owners and spoke at length with them a good few months ago now, about doing some sort of drone filming project at their ship. They replied, but seemed extremely reluctant. Not because they didn’t want their ship filming or recording (it happens every day anyway), but because they were willing to give access if they were also able to tell their side of a very complicated story. Previously, other people just wanted to get in for some pretty pictures, and not tell the any of the story.
We thought this was a superb idea, and agreed to produce a mini documentary for them, including interviews and drone shots.
We initially spoke at length about the ship, and its history, but also about the owners problems with the local council, who, as it was put to us, ‘were holding a grudge’, even over generations of councillors. It ‘sounds’ silly when you first hear it, but the more you learn about the happenings of the Duke of Lancaster over the years, and the projects made to fail for spurious reasons, (that were later proved to be nonsense), it really does seem like the local authority are trying to do anything to stop this ship being successful.
The Duke of Lancaster arrived at Llanerch-y Môr dock in August of 1979 after struggling to make port because of a storm. It’s a fantastic piece of engineering and history, and it really should be saved. We have been informed that, even while we weren’t allowed inside (insurance reasons), there’s still menus, prices, and paintings on the walls from the 70s. There’s likely to be way more. It’s effectively a time machine.
She started life as the Fun Ship when she settled at the dock, however because of issues with the council, she had to stop trading in 2004, and has struggled ever since. Most people remember her as the ‘Mostyn Fun Ship’.
We turned up at the dock, having tried to aim for a nice sunny day, on a very windy and slightly misty day. The ship was incredible, and even in that weather, she stood out magnificently. She has seen life as a ferry, and cruise ship, and was built by Harland & Wolff (the same ship yard Titanic was built in). She is a steam turbine ship, and is absolutely magnificent.
We spent the entire day there (I was exhausted afterwards). We interviewed the owner’s son, a couple of music producers who are looking to put an event on at the dock (using the ship as a backdrop), and Ashley Gardner, who runs DOLAS (The Duke of Lancaster Appreciation Society). We filmed using our regular camera, and then using one of our drones. We also took our action camera. Despite the wind, it wasn’t too bad picture quality wise (The DJI Mini is excellent in the wind), however we will have to see if we need to venture back up the coast to get some more footage in better weather.
The staff team there let Cerys on board, and she had a wonderful look around on the decks. As you can imagine, a lot of it at the top has deteriorated (after all those years, it’s not surprising), however it looks like it could be easily solved.
We will be finishing the production of the video soon, and then when it’s done, we will place it here. We really love this ship, dock, and story, and we really hope that it can be put to good use very soon. We implore you to see it. It’s magnificent.
Stay safe,
Emma.