Lady Florence River Cruise Restaurant Raided

Seashoreman

Seashoreman

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 Apr 2012
Messages
2,486
Location
Aldeburgh, Suffolk. River Alde
www.pianotuning.uk.com
Its a sad reflection of the times that people would take the trouble to get to the mooring of the Lady Florence in such an idealistic situation
as the north bank of Havergate Island, near Orford. A small family business suffering from loss of business because of Covid limitations.
Outboard taken, kitchen turned over, lifeboat charity box robbed, plenty of damage.
It was mentioned on this Forum that perhaps a glimpse of the area on a blockbuster film would attract people to the area.
2020 certainly seems to have brought a lot of second-hand motor boats to the area.
 
Last edited:
I wasn’t aware of this craft but it is obviously sad for those involved. In the end, it is only vigilance and insurance that will protect people.

That is, unless this is very old news and 2010 a bad year.
 
That is very, very sad news. I know exactly where Lady Florence’s mooring is and can only imagine that the thieves/vandals were local opportunists. At this time of year there’s hardly anyone on the water and only one or two places on the river to launch from. Would there be any CCTV footage from Orford Quay?
We’ve had many celebratory lunchtime cruises on The Lady Flo over the years with family and friends. As has been said, this is a small family business, employing several local youngsters, they are already hard hit by the lockdowns and could surely do without this misfortune.
 
No, not old news discovered today apparently. I guess I shouldn't get annoyed or show any emotion. 2020 brought the furloughed motorboaters. Picnics and barbeques on Havergate Island bird reserve. Some fairly unsociable activity.
The unprotected countryside is easy pickings for people who don't give a hoot.

Edit: I made a mistake and should have put 2020 not 2010. Have changed that.
Here is Lady Florence: Lady Florence - orford (rivercruiserestaurants.co.uk)
 
Last edited:
Seashoreman said:
No, not old news discovered today apparently. I guess I shouldn't get annoyed or show any emotion. 2010 brought the furloughed motorboaters. Picnics and barbeques on Havergate Island bird reserve. Some fairly unsociable activity.
The unprotected countryside is easy pickings for people who dont give a hoot.
Click to expand...

You seem to be in a timewarp, last year was 2020 not 2010 :)
 
Seashoreman said:
Its a sad reflection of the times that people would take the trouble to get to the mooring of the Lady Florence in such an idealistic situation
as the north bank of Havergate Island, near Orford. A small family business suffering from loss of business because of Covid limitations.
Outboard taken, kitchen turned over, lifeboat charity box robbed, plenty of damage.
It was mentioned on this Forum that perhaps a glimpse of the area on a blockbuster film would attract people to the area.
2010 certainly seems to have brought a lot of second-hand motor boats to the area.
Click to expand...
Thats awful, we love seeing the lady Florence on that river. there are some desperate scumbags about.
 
This is 2019, a colleague of mine drives her sometimes. I think there is cctv on the harbour master's office tho' the mooring is of cause out of sight. Should show if anyone launched or was about on the quay.Lady Flo.PNG
 
we have often anchored in that stretch of river, preferring the quiet to the bustle of Orford around the corner. We've seen the Lady Florence there many a time. Real shame and especially as businesses like this are struggling anyway without having to deal with thefts and damage.
 
I’ve known the Lady Florence since 1984; she wasn’t a restaurant then but Geoffrey Ingram Smith was living on board whilst running his calf delivery business. I had just bought the “Mirelle” and we were berthed next to her in the mud berths off what was then Frank Knights Shipwrights. Geoffrey was starting to fall for Sue, who ran Whisstock’s chandlery. They married and moved to Orford and started the business with Lady Flo which in due course they sold and moved ashore.

I don’t know the present owners but they don’t deserve this.
 
Last edited:
Yes, when the late-lamented Geoffrey and Sue first started the business with Lady Flo we used to travel up from Essex to meet friends and go aboard for one of their informal lunchtime cruises, which they offered on occasional winter weekends to begin with. The steak and kidney pudding and other good grub, plus hot toddies, wine and a roaring stove made the cabin very cosy...
The business now has grown beyond recognition with Brunch, Lunch and Evening cruises on offer almost all the year round, except at the moment. More tourists now visit Suffolk and the coastal region is full of second homes, many in Orford so the current owners have plenty of customers and also run a similar operation out of Ipswich with the Allan Gardner (nowhere near as nice a looking vessel as the Lady Flo).
 
The Allan Gardiner was built in the USA in 194? as one of, I think 16, 70 ft high speed offshore rescue craft which were stationed around the coast of South Africa to go to the aid of torpedoed ships. She original had triple engines and a speed of 40knots or so. She has had a great deal cut off her length and a large cabin built on to serve her present purpose as a river restaurant. This has given her an unattractive profile, but on board is well appointed and on the day we hired her for a family celebration the service and the food were excellent.
 
Leighb said:
The Allan Gardiner was built in the USA in 194? as one of, I think 16, 70 ft high speed offshore rescue craft which were stationed around the coast of South Africa to go to the aid of torpedoed ships. She original had triple engines and a speed of 40knots or so. She has had a great deal cut off her length and a large cabin built on to serve her present purpose as a river restaurant. This has given her an unattractive profile, but on board is well appointed and on the day we hired her for a family celebration the service and the food were excellent.
Click to expand...

Known as Miami class. Used as crash boats mainly by air force
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top