Happy birthday to the Tower Belle

HOORAY and up she rises! Belated 100th birthday greetings to the Tower Belle, still merrily chugging her way around Harbourside in spite of everything, though she can only carry a quarter of her normal passenger numbers due to you-know-what.

So they sent us a photo of Tower Belle being launched in 1920 at Newcastle as the Wincomblee, not looking a whole lot like she does now ( see below). BT did some digging and we think that whatever Wincomblee’s previous career she was a fireboat at Newcastle during WW2.

Operators Bristol Packet gave Tower Belle a refit last winter and they reckon she’s the only passenger boat in the city docks on a lot of days.

They sent out a press release about the birthday, and, fair play, we don’t mind the PR spin here as it’s heartfelt and it’s true:

“Thousands of Bristolians have grown up marking the stages of their lives on the Tower Belle from children’s birthdays and family’s outings to evening boat parties, weddings, anniversaries and retirement celebrations.”

Bristol Packet say: “It is thanks to the skilled fabricators, welders, engineers and shipwrights who have worked on her restoration. Her hull is now as good as new. As long as those ship building skills are not lost, she will be making memories for generations to come.”

Good on them, and many happy returns.

Find out more, check the timetable and book your trips at www.bristolpacket.co.uk, or call 0117 926 8157 or just turn up at one of the landing stages.