Restoration of the Worlds Largest Union Jack is finished
by Artemis Offshore Academy 24 Aug 2012 16:48 BST
The Artemis Offshore Academy squad in front of the world's largest Union Flag at Academy headquarters in Cowes © Lloyd Images
The World's largest Union Jack painted on the hangar doors at Venture Quays, East Cowes, Isle of Wight has now been restored to its former glory to celebrate a truly historic British year, which included the Queens Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics, which saw an impressive medal haul from Team GB. Local residents, sailing celebrities, British Vendée Globe skippers, school children, original painters and dignitaries were invited along to lend a helping hand with the painting, commissioned by the Artemis Offshore Academy. To mark the completion of the repainting a gathering of past and present British Vendée Globe skippers unveiled a commemorative plaque to celebrate the completion of the project.
The painting of the impressive 46m x 12m Union Flag, originally painted in 1977 to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee, was kick started by world record-breaking sailors Dee Caffari MBE and Brian Thompson with the help of the East Cowes Mayor Jane Rann, local Union Jack artist Lynn Young, and children from the Holy Cross primary school. "It's a real landmark, and it's a real privilege to be part of the process to repaint the flag and I hope it remains for decades to come," reported Thompson at the start with Caffari adding "Nobody can deny that 2012 makes you proud to be British and it's awesome to have this flag on our doorstep."
Venture Quays and the Columbine hanger were originally built in 1935 by British aero and marine-engineering company Saunders-Roe, the Columbine Shed has since been at the forefront of British maritime innovation. Thirty-five years after the Union Flag was first painted the original painters, Peter Lanning, Roy Wickens, Ray Gustar and Brian Bray picked up their brushes for the second time to paint the impressive Union Flag. Original painter Gustar recalled "We weren't given long to do it the first time around. We marked it all out with masking tape and then painted it with emulsion and spray cans. We started on the Monday and it was done by Friday!" Before painting the hanger doors for the second time the doors underwent some maintenance after years of salt air corrosion, as well as having a top and bottom coat to ensure they remain a prominent landmark standing proudly over the Medina river and Southampton waters for many years to come.
"We are delighted to have restored this impressive Union Flag to its former glory to celebrate this magnificent British year. The flag will now continue to welcome home the short-handed Artemis Offshore Academy sailors after many offshore races over the coming years," reported John Thorn, Artemis Offshore Academy Performance Director.
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