Wellesley school figurehead back with Ashington Sea Cadets

The figurehead, which once stood proud at the gates of the Wellesley Nautical School at Blyth in Northumberland - a place where lads 13 to 17 were taught - was officially unveiled at the cadets' headquarters at TS Tenacity.

The Chronicle revealed last year that Geordie Wilf, who is one of only two Englishman to be allowed into the American Mafia, donated cash for the restoration project.

The figurehead was donated to the Sea Cadets, through the Old Boys of Wellesley Nautical School, by the Figurehead's owners; the Trustees of Wellesley.

And now the impressive sculpture, which stood at the gates until the building was demolished in 2007, is officially back watching over a new set of youngsters.

Former pupils of Wellesley travelled from across the country to reunite for the unveiling after it has been restored by world renowned figurehead historian Richard Hunter.

Wilf, who was born in Newcastle, before moving to the Isle of Wight, was at the school between 1959 and 1961. He was sent there at the age of 15 after being regularly beaten by his father, rebelling against him, and moving into petty crime.

The 65-year-old made friends there as a youngster and remains good pals with them today.

After attending the school, Wilf started out heading a team of bouncers to man the doors of the drinking clubs on the Isle of Wight. He later became a minder for Carl Wayne and The Move during the height of the band's popularity in the 60s. And he soon rose up the music ranks - co-managing Black Sabbath, fronted by Ozzy Osbourne, and managing The Groundhogs and Stray.

His pals include train robber Ronnie Biggs, Ronnie Knight, who was linked to the Security Express robbery, and armed robber Charles Bronson, known as Britain's most violent prisoner.

He was friends with the Kray twins and Ronnie Kray's book is dedicated to Wilf. He was even a pallbearer at Reggie Kray's funeral.

It was there that true crime author John Pearson learned how Wilf was as legendary on the streets of New York as on the streets of London and persuaded him to put his story in a book.

Wilf became the adopted son of Joey Pagano, the head of one of the major New York crime families and he revealed his life story in "One of the Family - The Englishman and the Mafia."

But Wilf has never forgotten his roots and remains in touch with his pals as a youngster at the Wellesley School.

He and around 100 others with the Wellesley Old Boys say they have given something back to society and have "adopted" the Ashington Sea Cadets.

Wilf, who now lives in the south of England, was not able to attend the ceremony due to ill health, but said: "I made good friends at Wellesley School, and we all felt we would like to donate the figurehead. Many of us also gave money to get it restored."

Vic Clarke, a member of the Wellesley Old Boys who has helped organise the official handing over, said: "We have thoroughly enjoyed this project and didn't want it to end. But now it has we are delighted that Admiral Boscawen has found a new home and is watching over the Ashington Sea Cadets.

Pictured: Cadet Nina Daley with the Admiral Boscawen figurehead