The best known landmark on Leigh's waterfront sailed away on the ebb tide yesterday to be replaced by "HMS Tupperware".
Tugged away - the Bembridge, Essex Yacht Club's headquarters, is pulled away from its mooring
After more than a quarter of a century MV Bembridge finally ended its reign as the headquarters of Essex Yacht Club.
Late yesterday evening the former pilot boat was towed past its replacement, HMS Wilton, as it lay off Southend Pier.
The 450-ton former minehunter filled the spot left vacant by the Bembridge on this morning's high tide and become the club's new base.
As hundreds of people watched the Bembridge being dragged off the Leigh foreshore, club commodore Peter Brooker had set sail on the old Royal Navy ship.
Wife Sue Brooker was in Leigh to watch the Bembridge leave.
She said: "It was very emotional and there must have been hundreds of people watching.
"They were on the shore, the cliffs and the Gypsy bridge. When it finally left they went from being excited to very quiet."
One previous deal that failed would have seen the Bembridge end up as a house boat.
Today it is heading for Kent's River Medway where it will be turned into a bar and restaurant.
Published Wednesday September 1, 2004
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