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| Britannia crew return for reunion | Britannia crew return for reunion |
| (1 day later) | |
| Former crew of the The Royal Yacht Britannia are to return to the ship for a special reunion which will see them in their original jobs for a week. | Former crew of the The Royal Yacht Britannia are to return to the ship for a special reunion which will see them in their original jobs for a week. |
| Known as "Yotties", the crew are due to don their overalls and pick up their tools once again to help with the ship's maintenance in Leith. | Known as "Yotties", the crew are due to don their overalls and pick up their tools once again to help with the ship's maintenance in Leith. |
| About 50 of the original 240-strong crew, some in their 60s and 70s, start the special week's work on Tuesday. | About 50 of the original 240-strong crew, some in their 60s and 70s, start the special week's work on Tuesday. |
| The event marks the 56th anniversary of the yacht's launch from Clydebank. | The event marks the 56th anniversary of the yacht's launch from Clydebank. |
| The Yotties will also be on hand to give visitors the chance to hear first-hand experiences of what life was like for the crew when Britannia was in service. | The Yotties will also be on hand to give visitors the chance to hear first-hand experiences of what life was like for the crew when Britannia was in service. |
| The Royal Yacht Britannia in Singapore in 1974 | |
| The Royal Yacht Britannia served Queen and country for more than 40 years, and has been named Scotland's best visitor attraction by VisitScotland. | The Royal Yacht Britannia served Queen and country for more than 40 years, and has been named Scotland's best visitor attraction by VisitScotland. |
| Since the yacht opened her doors to the public on 19 October 1998, Britannia has welcomed more than 2.9 million visitors. | Since the yacht opened her doors to the public on 19 October 1998, Britannia has welcomed more than 2.9 million visitors. |
| Dave Rushforth, of the Association of Royal Yachtsmen, said the idea for the reunion came from the former crew members. | Dave Rushforth, of the Association of Royal Yachtsmen, said the idea for the reunion came from the former crew members. |
| They have an official social get-together every two years but were keen to get back on board to do some work, he said. | They have an official social get-together every two years but were keen to get back on board to do some work, he said. |
| Mr Rushforth, a former engineer on Britannia, said: "Everybody's doing it because they want to. | Mr Rushforth, a former engineer on Britannia, said: "Everybody's doing it because they want to. |
| "We do have a lot of fun and we've all got stories we share. The laughter never stops all day long." | "We do have a lot of fun and we've all got stories we share. The laughter never stops all day long." |
| Bob Downie, The Royal Yacht Britannia chief executive, said: "We are looking forward to welcoming back the Yotties to Britannia once again. | Bob Downie, The Royal Yacht Britannia chief executive, said: "We are looking forward to welcoming back the Yotties to Britannia once again. |
| "This ship holds a very special place in their hearts and it is an incredible opportunity for our visitors to hear their great stories first-hand." | "This ship holds a very special place in their hearts and it is an incredible opportunity for our visitors to hear their great stories first-hand." |