A hero's welcome (From Gazette & Herald)

A hero's welcome

RECORD-breaking yachtswoman Emma Richards received a big welcome when she visited Scarborough to receive congratulations from the resort's mayor, Coun Sheila Kettlewell, and the company sponsoring her race, the Pindar Group of Scarborough.

Emma sailed her yacht, named Pindar, some 29,000 miles in the Around Alone solo yacht race.

After touring the headquarters of print and media firm Pindar at Eastfield, Emma was taken on a tour of Scarborough's town centre, escorted by police outriders, and then went to the town hall to meet the mayor.

Coun Kettlewell invited representatives from several youth organisations and schools to the civic reception. "The idea was to give them inspiration to show what can be achieved by young people," she said.

Among those attending were several leading youth sport hopefuls in Scarborough.

"They were young people who have achieved in their own particular sport. Emma's achievement in being at sea since September 12 is a remarkable achievement."

Emma said: "Over the last couple of years, people have said that I'm an inspiration to young people and if I can pass anything on, that's great."

Updated: 13:29 Wednesday, May 21, 2003