Transcript

What does Swan Hunter mean to you now?

Well it represents something very sad, because of the final closure, because of the cranes that are going to be taken away. Somehow I think the attempts to keep alive something that is still very important I still don’t really understand why this country, with all its skills and history is not involved in ship building because there are still many, many ships being built and will continue – that need will continue and I think what it means to me is that if some of the memories can be kept alive I think that will be important for people to be proud of what has gone on in the area and no matter what Tyneside becomes famous for in the future and how prosperous it may be compared to the 1960’s. I still think that today is made up of yesterday and the hopes for tomorrow and I think that we must remember Swans and it’s contribution to that prosperity of the past and the role it played both in the war and subsequently building up a very strong merchant navy and a tradition of fine ship building – excellent ships!