This site is a tribute to Paul Billings. Father, grandfather and friend to everyone who knew him. He was selfless caring and gentle. Paul is at peace with his partner Margarita Alexandra Anne. He is much loved and will always be remembered.

Paul was a Master Craftsman in boat building and his greatest accomplishment was building “Barn Owl” a 50ft ocean going schooner that successfully crossed the Atlantic numerous times. Below is a tribute that we have received from a very dear friend of Pauls -

A Tribute to Paul Billings from Juliet Bullimore                            February 2024
 
Paul was a good friend and boatbuilding colleague of my then husband, Simon Bullimore for almost 20 years, from when we met him in 1978 - and a constant presence in my life until 1991.
 
I remember him as friendly, helpful, reliable, extremely hardworking and frequently ready to exhibit his dry sense of humour - we had many laughs - even during challenging times.
 
The collaboration between Simon and Paul was very productive - as was featured in the March edition of the Classic Boat magazine in 1997 where Paul is described as a ‘boatbuilder  extraordinary.’(I have sent Alfie photos of the article).
 
The fleet of distinctive wooden boats, built by Paul, and all designed by the American boat designer, Philip C Bolger, were commissioned by Simon during this lengthy period.  They vary from small rowing boats to a 15ft cabin sailing boat (Buffo), sleek motor boats, and, I feel, the pinnacle of Paul’s expertise as an exceptional boatbuilder, a 50ft ocean-going schooner which took over 6 years to build. This yacht, called Barn Owl, achieved successful Atlantic crossings and can still be seen, (with its distinctive raked masts) in Shotley Marina in Suffolk.
 
I should explain that Simon would have wished to present this tribute to Paul himself, in person, had he not succumbed to another version of this cruel disease, called cancer, within a week of Paul’s death.
 
I feel privileged to have been counted as a friend of Paul’s for so many years, and although we have been in touch only via Christmas cards recently, I shall miss him as a valued friend.

I think that says it all, may he rest in peace.