Makeover for Cowes landmark
One of the Solent’s most iconic sights is being given a makeover celebrate the Diamond Jubilee and London Olympics.
The world’s largest Union Flag is being repainted on the hangar doors at Cowes’ Venture Quays.
The flag was first painted on the doors to celebrate the Silver Jubilee in 1977 and over the next six weeks it will receive another lick of paint.
Since the hangar, named Columbine Shed, was built in 1935 it has been at the forefront of boat-building.
Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Bluebird was built in the building, as was the then largest passenger seaplane in the world in 1946 and the world’s first hovercraft in 1957.
It remains a working boatyard, home to South Boat, builders of aluminium catamarans, and the Artemis Offshore Academy, who have commissioned the repaint on the 46m x 12m doors.
The aim is to involve as many local people as possible in the painting with Cowes-resident Dame Ellen MacArthur among those who will help out.
Getting into Cowes gets easier.