King's mention for Brian

A retired shipyard worker who helped set Barrow on the path to achieving Royal Port status has described the moment he met the King as 'fantastic'.

Brian Boyd, 71, a past president of the Rotary Club of Furness, first launched the Royal recognition campaign in 2022.

Mr Boyd, who became a shipwright at Vickers aged 16 in 1969 before rising through the ranks at BAE Systems, said the idea came from decades of pride in the town’s shipbuilding legacy. 

He expressed in 2022 that Barrow deserved recognition for its role in building world-class vessels, later presenting a formal proposal to former Barrow MP Simon Fell in January 2023.

Mr Boyd said: "I’ve been talking about this for 40 years and really pushing it for the past three or four. Honestly, I never expected it to happen in my lifetime. Committees usually say, ‘We’ll do it tomorrow, we’ll do it next week,’ and I thought I’d be long gone before it happened.

"To see it realised now is absolutely astonishing, and everybody in the town is really thankful and grateful to the King and the authorities for pulling it together on our behalf." 

It was on Monday, September 22 that His Majesty travelled to Furness to recognise Barrow’s unique and critical contribution to the UK’s nuclear submarine building programme and national security.

Mr Boyd first learned of his invitation to the VIP event in Barrow Town Square when he received a text message from the ministry.

Initially, he thought it was a joke, but after further messages, it became clear it was genuine. It was only when he arrived on the day that he realised he was formally part of the event.

"On the day I was presented to the King as the man that originally thought it up - I didn’t expect him to actually speak to me. He said something like, ‘So you’re the man responsible for all this,’ and I said, ‘Yes, but it’s been 40 years in the making.’

"He just said, ‘Well, congratulations and well done.’ It was a very strange, bizarre experience – but fantastic for the people of Barrow and all the civic dignitaries.”

Mr Boyd said the whole day was marked by sunshine, large crowds and a celebratory mood, with people 'buzzing' for days afterwards.

He added: "For me, this award isn’t just about shipbuilding. It’s about the steel industry, the shop workers, the mums, dads, nans and granddads – all those people who’ve kept the town going for generations. It’s for the people of Barrow.

"This isn’t the end – it’s the beginning. With Barrow now having royal recognition, it could help encourage more people and organisations to invest in the town. Leaders I spoke to on the day said the same. This could be a turning point for Barrow’s future."

Credit: North-West Evening Mail