Fastcat ferry named

ONE of North Devon s smallest schools has won a competition to name one of the new Ilfracombe to South Wales fast catamaran ferries. The children of Parracombe School suggested Rapparee as the new name for one of the two Severn Link vessels which will ver

ONE of North Devon's smallest schools has won a competition to name one of the new Ilfracombe to South Wales fast catamaran ferries.

The children of Parracombe School suggested Rapparee as the new name for one of the two Severn Link vessels which will very soon begin plying their trade between Ilfracombe, Swansea and Penarth.

Entries came in from schools on both sides of the Bristol Channel and with Parracombe named South West winner, organisers are hoping to shortly announce the Welsh winners and the name of the Rapparee's sister ship.

"We had so many exciting and imaginative names suggested by schools that it was very hard to choose an overall winner," said Geoff Metcalf, Severn Link managing director.

"However, the children of Parracombe School particularly excelled - patently putting much thought and research into their entry."

Parracombe teacher Julie Ansell added: "The children are absolutely thrilled their name was chosen to be adopted by the Severn Link ferry. The children went on walks, discovered local information, wrote stories and poems and created artwork to support the entry for the competition."

As part of their prize, the children of Parracombe School will be invited to a special Severn Link launch event to see the ferry for themselves and enjoy a ferry trip to visit the winning school in South Wales, to learn more about life in Wales and begin an educational twinning exercise.

Severn Link has just announced the appointment of a young but very experienced new captain - 29-year-old Rob Hinton, who is highly experienced with high speed craft after six years working for Red Funnel in Southampton. He has also worked in the Pacific, Caribbean, North Sea and the Far East.