Today the children had an extremely long walk to get to East Cowes. They started at the bottom of Stag Lane where we discuss Vestas and the wind turbine blades. On the walk they stopped to look at some old ship wrecks, the location of the new Island Harbour along with the old paddle steamer the Ryde Queen. Looking over to Whippingham they saw the St Mildrid’s church often frequented by Queen Victoria when she was on the Island. Continuing the walk we stopped at a view point to see up and down the river looking at new developments and old historic buildings such as Cowes Power Station.
When we arrived at Cowes we walked past the former Coles Boat Yard and stopped to look at the old dry dock which is no longer in use. The children then walked down some of the older street where bombing took place in the second world war. Here we had a good close up view of the Hammer Head Crane before crossing to East Cowes via the floating bridge.
At the Heritage centre we were welcomed by some brilliant volunteers who told the children a whole array of information about the town, it’s buildings and the ship building industry.
Finally we visited the Classic Boat Gallery where the children learned a huge amount about the two towns, their ship building past and how Saunders Roe (now Venture Quays) built many flying boats and sea planes.
I am sure children will be able to tell you much more than I have been able to write. It has been a fantastic day!!
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