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September
9, 2005
Historic
Balmoral ship passes by Burnham-On-Sea
Walkers
along Burnham's seafront were treated to a glimpse of an historic
50 year-old ship as it glided past the town on Friday morning.
The
Balmoral was on its way along the River Parrett to Bridgwater
to collect dozens of people on an organised excursion.
 It
was met in Burnham by the Bridgwater Bay Harbour Master near the
town's jetty and docked in Bridgwater shortly before 10am before
setting sail a few minutes later with the passengers onboard.
The
historic ship was built in Southampton in 1949 and operated under
the Southampton Red Funnel Fleet for 20 years.
She
then moved round to the Bristol Channel where she became the last
member of P&A Campbell's famous White Funnel Fleet. When they
ceased operation in 1980, Balmoral moved to Dundee to become a
floating restaurant, and there she stood, gradually falling into
disrepair until she was rescued by the friends and supporters
of the Waverley.
She
returned to service in 1986 and to this day operates her main
summer season in the Bristol Channel, offering day excursions
to popular coastal resorts, as well as making visits to other
ports & piers throughout the UK in Spring and Autumn.
 Coastal
cruising, once a great British tradition, remains alive and well
in the care of Waverley Excursions and the operation of the Balmoral.
In
Winter 2002,the Balmoral was fitted with new engines. The Project
was dependent on nearly £150,000 being raised through the
help of the Public Sector and local Councils, Supporter Societies
and on-board fundraising activities which in turn secured a further
£750,000 contribution from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
This
money has now been used to replace the engines but has also helped
carry out additional improvements to enhance passenger comfort.
The
Balmoral can comfortably accommodate up to 750 passengers and
has a self-serve restaurant on-board along with two licensed bars,
heated observation lounge and the souvenir shop.
Tickets
for excursions onboard the ship can be bought at Burnham-On-Sea
Tourist Information Centre. Call 01278 787852 for more details.
RELATED
LINKS:
What's On in Burnham-On-Sea
Waverley
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