Bid to commemorate town's shipbuilding history

The MV Hebridean Isles was launched side-first into the River Ouse in 1985

Part of one of the last vessels to be built in Selby could return to the town to commemorate its shipbuilding history.

Community leaders hope to acquire part of the MV Hebridean Isles, which was launched from Cochrane's shipyard in 1985.

The 280ft (85m) ferry made journeys between islands such as Skye, Colonsay and Islay in north-west Scotland, and has been withdrawn from service by owner Calmac.

North Yorkshire Council's Steve Shaw Wright said: "The shipyard needs more public recognition and then the stories continue on and if we can kick-start it with part of the Hebridean I’ll be really pleased."

Records show there was a "substantial" shipyard on the banks of the Ouse in Selby from the mid-1800s, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Cochrane moved there in 1898 and became one of the area’s major employers until the yard’s closure in 1992.

It famously launched all its vessels sideways on, drawing crowds of onlookers.

Selby councillor Mr Shaw Wright said he was holding talks with Calmac, which currently own the 507-passenger ship.

He said North Yorkshire Council hoped to acquire the ship's bell or the name plate from Cochrane's, which could be displayed in the town hall.

'Remember the heritage'

"There was a real sense of togetherness at the shipyard. If you got a job there you were probably working with your uncle, auntie, brother and cousin," Mr Shaw Wright said.

"The end of service of the Hebridean Isles seems to have grabbed the attention of quite a lot of people in Selby, particularly the sons and grandsons of people who worked there, who believe there should be something in the town to mark its shipbuilding heritage and to remember everything that went on at the shipyard.

"The last ships that were built in Selby are now coming to the end of their working life, and because once these ships are gone that’s it, people want to do something to remember the heritage."

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