2006 Awards

The display of the lifeboat H.F.Bailey and its associated stories is impressive. A purpose-built building, which retains something of the air of a boathouse on the beach at Cromer, has been designed around the lifeboat, providing a through route that starts on the ground floor, alongside and under the hull of the boat, with large high panels introducing the story of its colourful history and its Captain, Henry Blogg. The route then ascends to a gallery which enables the visitor to look down on the deck of the boat and enjoy a variety of stimulating panels, artefacts and interactives.

Under Henry Blogg, the H.F. Bailey was involved, during the first half of the 20th century in a number of dramatic rescues, none more so than in 1932 when he rescued 32 Italian sailors from the stranded Monte Nevoso. During that rescue Blogg also saved a St Bernard dog, Monty, which is used to good effect in some of the lighter interpretation along the route for younger visitors.

The judges felt that the project had successfully fulfilled its aims, and provides a clear and absorbing story of the lifeboat and its captain, and the eponymous Henry Blogg, and using a stimulating variety of means which included material of interest to a variety of ages and levels and abilities of interest.