THE historic Gull lightship mast is set to come home to Thurrock Yacht Club on Monday.


The  wreck of the lightship which dated back to around 1860, was a permanent fixture on the banks of Thames in Grays for many years.
 

The ship sank in 1929 near the city of York, but came to Thurrock in 1947, when the yacht club bought it for £750 to use as its headquarters.
 

In 1971 the club found a permanent home and the historic ship lay unprotected on the river bank and fell into disrepair.
 

It was taken apart and sold for scrap in October last year, but thanks to a four-year campaign by Conservative councillor Joy Redsell, the mast was saved, and will shine once more within the safety of the yacht club’s grounds.
 

Cllr Redsell is thrilled that the project she started when she was cabinet member for leisure is finally coming to fruition.
 

She said: "It is brilliant to have something in Thurrock restored and placed in a position on the river for all to see."
 

The mast has been restored and the light will work at night thanks to solar panels.


The £48,000 project has been supported by several organisations including the Veolia Mardyke Trust, the Port of Tilbury, and npower as well as donations from both local people, and someone in America.