eMailbag- Sir Peter Blake remembered in Devonport

by Martin Foster on 12 Jun 2006 Dear Richard,

Regarding lack of recognition for Sir Peter Blake on the Shore, perhaps you are not aware that last year the Devonport Yacht Club unveiled a commemorative plaque for Sir Peter on the club's front wall , King Edward Parade. The plaque marks the spot where I launched Peter's Bandit in the 60's.

Sir Peter was a life member of the club and had been its Patron since 1990. Sir Peter's father Brian was club secretary for eight years and President for a further four years. Lady Pippa Blake is the club's current Patron. Every December the club holds a gathering of Sir Peter's friends which is well attended. The Blake era is certainly a living legend here in Devonport.

Martin Foster

Editor's Comment: While there have been numberous commemorations for Sir Peter on the Shore, including those above, plus the the Sir Peter Blake Youth Regatta at Torbay, and the mainsail in the Bayswater School Hall. The point remains that as city, North Shore City Council has done nothing to date, save for a street leading down to Bayswater, which was named while Sir Peter was still with us. The plan for the Council owned land adjacent to the waters, where Sir Peter did his early sailing, is for it to be turned into carpark and ferry terminal, with no other public facilities save for a boat ramp. RG