Ship's Purser retires after 27 years service

As Portland welcomes the return of RMS  - the ship's purser will be saying a fond farewell

The end of the month will see the RMS St Helena return to Portland Port after a 12 month gap.  On board bringing the ship home to the UK for his final time will be ship's Purser, Geoff Shallcross.  Geoff is retiring after 27 years service on two Royal Mail Ships.

He is currently on his final voyage back to the UK from Cape Town and will arrive at Portland Port in the UK on 29 October 2005 for the last time as Purser.

Shallcross, who is 61 and from Devon in England has been at sea for 37 years, 27 of which have been on board the St Helenas.  Before the St Helena he served with Union Castle on their mail ships.  He was on the first St Helena and the current ship, built in 1990.

He describes his role as a jack of all trades:  As well as looking after the passengers - which over the years has included the Princess Royal, who travelled to St Helena from Ascension in 2002 - I'm also in charge of entertainment.  So whether it's been bingo caller or running the safety drills, I've played my part!

Shallcross continued:  The years just seem to have rolled by.  I'm sad to be retiring as it means saying goodbye to a lot of good friends.  Nevertheless I am looking forward to spending more time with my wife who has also recently retired from nursing.

The RMS St Helena is managed and operated by Andrew Weir Shipping on behalf of St Helena Line Ltd and is on her first trip back to the UK after a 12 month gap.

For further information please contact:  Jackie Noble on 01275 856686 or email Jackie@barneys.co.uk