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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1980
KEYING I LAUNCHED IN BRITAIN
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TO THE SOUND OF CLASHING CYMBALS. A ROARING+ LION AND CHINESE FIRECRACKERS, THE HONG KONG JUNK KEYING I WAS GIVEN A NOISY AND ROUSING SEND-OFF ON ITS FIRST VOYAGE IN BRITISH WATERS YESTERDAY (MONDAY).
THE JUNK WAS +DRESSED IN HONG KONG AND BRITISH FLAGS AS IT SAILED FROM THE PIER OF THE ROYAL SOUTHERN YACHT CLUB, HAMBLE, HAMPSHIRE, INTO THE SOLENT.
THE KEYING IS BOUND FOR LONDON, WHERE IT WILL TAKE PART IN THE THAMESDAY 80 CELEBRATION IN HONOUR OF THE QUEEN MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY ON SEPTEMBER 13.
AFTER THAT, IT WILL BE THE CENTRE PIECE OF THE HONG KONG IN LONDON FESTIVAL, IT WILL BE MOORED IN CHELSEA REACH DURING TWO DAYS OF NON-STOP HONG KONG STYLE ENTERTAINMENT AND FESTIVITY IN BATTERSEA PARK ON SEPTEMBER 20 AND 21.
THE KEYING TODAY WAS FAREWELLED BY A LARGE CONTINGENT FROM HONG KONG INCLUDING THE COMMISSIONER, MR DAVID FORD. ALSO PRESENT WAS THE MAYOR OF EASTELEIGH, MRS DOREEN WELFARE, AND SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE ROYAL SOUTHERN YACHT CLUB.
THE JUNK WAS THE FOCUS OF CURIOSITY IN HAMBLE. DOZENS OF YACHTS, POWER BOATS AND SMALL DINGHIES BUZZED AROUND THE KEYING AS SHE SET SAIL FOR LONDON. THE LAST TIME THERE WAS SO MUCH INTEREST IN A VISITING CRAFT WAS THE LAUNCHING OF LIONHEART, THE BRITISH CHALLENGER FOR THE AMERICA'S CUP.
THE JUNK, DONATED TO THE FESTIVAL BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING GROUP, SIR Y.K. PAO, IS BEING SKIPPERED BY A FORMER ROYAL MARINE, ROBIN RISING, AND A CREW DRAWN FROM THE STAFF OF THE EXETER MARITIME MUSEUM AND MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SAILING CRAFT ASSOCIATION. THE JUNK WILL FIND A PERMANENT HOME AT THE EXETER MUSEUM AFTER THE FESTIVAL.
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