Lowestoft-based the Excelsior Trust is a Heritage Champion

The Excelsior Trust has been honoured in the Suffolk Heritage Champion Awards for 2024, which will be presented by the Suffolk Preservation Society (SPS) in July.

Triumphing with an award in the community category, the SPS charity hailed the winners this week ahead of a special presentation at a ceremony at Heveningham Hall on July 18.

The Excelsior. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With trustees of the historic Lowestoft-based sailing smack Excelsior LT 472 recognised for their dedication and commitment to preserving the 103-year-old maritime heritage icon, the Excelsior Trust was nominated by Jamie Campbell.

The Excelsior Trust was founded in 1982 to rebuild the sailing trawler, built in Lowestoft in 1921 by John Chambers, with the reconstruction completed as the vessel was recommissioned in 1988.

An archive photo of Excelsior. Picture: The Excelsior Trust (Image: The Excelsior Trust)

Excelsior is the most authentically restored sailing smack in the UK and is included in the National Historic Ships Register as one of only 50 most important historic vessels in the country.

Today Excelsior continues as a sail training vessel for young people and since 1990, with the help of a dedicated group of volunteers, has taken around 11,000 - often disadvantaged - young people, to sea.

Back in 2021, Freedom of the Town of Lowestoft awards were presented to John Wylson and to The Excelsior by former mayor of Lowestoft Alan Green. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

A trust spokesman said: "Excelsior's survival has been a massive effort by a wide range of individuals.

Excelsior off Lowestoft. Picture: The Excelsior Trust (Image: The Excelsior Trust)

"This award recognises the enduring effort of many people to maintain this important maritime heritage while delivering significant social capital."

An aerial shot of Excelsior at sea. Picture: The Excelsior Trust (Image: The Excelsior Trust)

Fiona Cairns, director of the Suffolk Preservation Society, said: "The fact that our second heritage champion awards saw as many inspiring nominations as the first over two years ago demonstrates the breadth and depth of community involvement.

"All of the award recipients, demonstrate what a sense of community, careful stewardship of heritage buildings and long service can achieve in looking after key elements of local life here in Suffolk."