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The lifeboat is hoisted out of its playground home

Published: 17 August, 2012

• MANY thanks to the Tribune for telling your readers about Drayton Park School’s lifeboat (School waves goodbye for now to playground lifeboat, August 10).

The William Henry and Mary King, which saved 84 lives during its working career, has been a local landmark since it arrived in our playground more than 20 years ago, and has been covered in children pretty much at every break-time since then.

Generations of pupils have been drawn to the boat as something somehow more ‘real’ than just another climbing frame.

During that time Drayton Park has become known as “the school with the lifeboat”, and some parents have even sent their children to the school because of it.

The reason we’ve had to move the boat is to make room for contractors who will start building our exciting new community art block next week.

The new building has been designed around the lifeboat and all being well the boat will come home again next spring, once the construction work is finished – closer to the street, better displayed and restored for another 20 years of play.

But your article was right: we still need to raise more money to make this happen.

We are asking families whose children have been to the school or anyone who would like to support the project to “Buy a Brick”.

Donations can be sent to Drayton Park School, Arvon Road N5 1PJ.

Cheques should be payable to Drayton Park Community Art Block Fundraising Appeal.

Anyone donating £10 or more will have their name recorded in a permanent display in the new building.

ANDREW MYER
Governor, Drayton Park Primary School