The Training Schoolship Vindicatrix was a place where many of the boy's who wished to go to sea were sent to be taught the rudiments of seamanship,if they wished to be deckhands ,or catering if they wished to be stewards. The School and campsite were based on the ship canal in the little village of Sharpness in Gloucestershire. Tens of thousands of boys from all over the UK attended this school between 1939 until its closure in the 1960's.
Those old boy's are now todays old men, and some of us are members of the Vindicatrix Association. The association has branches all over the U.K. and in Ausstralia and New Zealand too. Liverpool hs a thriving association and, each year the members ,who are able, join with many others, in an annual re-union which is held near the old campsite in Sharpness. It is a three day affair and such is the attendance that it is almost impossible to get a hotel room that is within ten miles of the place. Most people book next years room as they leave this years reunion. It is a time of reflection ,catching up with old friends ,and making new ones. Many wives now accompany the husbands and they have a super time.
It is always a little sad when we say goodbye each year,but nthe we go home with our batteries charged and look foward to next year.
The second picture from the left has Clancy and Captain Kong on it, and the fourth picture has Fred Scuttle ,AKA Billy Seddon. The rest are ex Vindi boys and their wives,
BrianD
Attachment 16810Attachment 16806Attachment 16807Attachment 16808Attachment 16809
