History of Vanessa
The Vanessa, original name Träumerei II was built in 1953 by Graham Bunn of Wroxham.
he was built for Mr.C. H .Roe who incidentally, was the chairman of Graham Bunn. Designed by R.M. Martins.
Mr. Roe who was a leading business man manufacturing omnibus’s in the midlands supplied a lot of the very fine Burma teak and the two Thorneycroft engines, also some very unusual extras such as the large bus windows in the decks house and Bus ceiling lights.
Her original name Träumerei II was chosen we believe from information received from a family friend of Mr. Roe’s. Because Träumerei from Schubert was one of his favourite melodies.
Why Träumerei II, what happened to the first one, we believe, but are not certain on this point she was built slightly smaller 43 ft., the hull was made, and Mr. Roe’s wife decided it was too small, this boat was then completed and sold it to his very good friend George Formby.
But Mr. Formby was so impressed with Tramerer II that he also commissioned a very simler boat to be built, which he named Lady Beryl II
I read in the http://www.the-norfolk-broads.co.uk
“In 1953 George Formby bought the motor cruiser “”Traumerei” which had been built by Windboats in 1950 and renamed it “Lady Beryl”, although this was sold in 1957 when the newly commissioned “Lady Beryl II” was launched.”
Here is an article about the first Träumerei and photos as lady Beryl.
Now named Lady Beryl
This is the Träumerei II
Graham Bunn’s Flagship
We know she left England sometime between 1965/70 and went to France, unfortunately this part of her history is a bit vague.
She was originally named “Träumerei II”, then sold to Sir William Steward who named her, we think, “Golden Dawn of Wroxham”, she was then taken to France.
From France she was moved to Spain, and in 1984/85 went to Mallorca, where the new American owners named her “Heather Brooke”.
Brooke contacted me and sent some photos of her, from the time she lived onboard with her sister Heather about 1985.
Mallorca
In 1990 she was sold again to Sir Richard Branson sister Mrs.Vanessa Devereux and she was renamed “Vanessa’s Folly”.
Then in 2000 she was sold to Mr. N.A. Abel Smith, for one pound, according to the Bill of Sale.
Motor Yacht ”Vanessa“
Ownership History
Built 1953
1983
1985
1992
12.08.2000
2001
2010
Mr. Charles Roe
Sir William Steward (No Info)
William & Penelope Fletcher (No Info)
Cape Verga Limited
Robert & Vanessa Devereux
Mr. N.L. Abel Smith (Ned Rocknroll)
Mr. Jack Huddel
Mr. Mark Wightman (present owner)
Träumerie II
Golden Dawn of Wroxham ??
Golden Dawn of Wroxham ??
Heather Brooke
Vanessas Folly
Vanessas Folly
Vanessa
Vanessa
Any information or corrections regarding her history would be much appreciated.
This is Lady Beryl II ?
(or her sister ship)
See how the Bows are very similar to Träumerei II
I would like to thank The Norfolk-Broads Forum for these photos and a very special thanks to Mr. Ian Muchall who helped with information and photos which he inherited from his great uncle Mr C. H. Roe. and anyone else who might have contributed or has the copyrights on any photos reproduced on this web page.