Boleh Admin

We’re delighted to see the Devon Army Cadet Force (ACF) back onboard Boleh for their annual Summer expedition.  Last year we were proud to have Boleh crewed by their ACF colleagues for a memorable and long awaited visit to Boleh’s home port of Salcombe, Devon.  This year, Boleh’s itinerary took the first Batch of Cadets to Portland, Weymouth, Lulworth Cove, Poole, Studland, Yarmouth, Portsmouth, and the Hamble for crew change.  The weather and Boleh’s dinghy ensured plenty of swimming and beach BBQ’s!

Lead volunteer Skipper, Richard Metcalfe, presenting Cadets with their completion Certificates, commented that without the ‘Can-Do’ attitude of their leader, Scott Wallace, and of the Cadets themselves, the trip would not have been the great success it was.  Our thanks go to Richard and our volunteer Mates, David Critchley and Andy Pritchard (himself from Devon) for their hard work, and to the Nuffield Trust and the Army Central Fund for supporting our charitable work. Lets hope Batch 2 have as much fun!

This year the Trust is privileged to have a new client –  the RN Wounded Injured and Sick (WIS) Recovery Programme – generously funded by the RN&RM Charity.

Boleh delivered the first 5 day course for a WIS group earlier this Season with further bookings in September and October.  This initial course with a crew of Submariners and Royal Marines was judged a ‘resounding success’ and enjoyed by all, including their overnight stay onboard her in Cowes.  Picture shows Boleh ready to sail with Portsmouth Naval Base Commander, Jeremy Bailey (centre), WIS Manager, Angie Cheal (left), Boleh volunteers and the WIS crew embarked.

Commenting on his sail, Commodore Bailey said ‘Fantastic to join the WIS Programme briefly and learn so much about the Boleh Trust’s impressive work and how the Royal Navy delivers an active recovery programme for our most important asset – our people.’  WIS Manager, Johnny Morris from Faslane said ‘The lads got so much from their time on Boleh. They really bonded as a team, shared stories and experiences, and grew in confidence as the course progressed.  We are all very grateful to the Boleh Trust and to our funders for this positive experience.’

This year we’re proud to say Boleh’s Portland deployment sailed well over 100 local schoolchildren and teaching staff, supporting the Chesil Sailing Trust’s popular ‘Sail for a Fiver’ scheme.  Students from All Saints, Atlantic and Budmouth Academies and from Wey Valley and Dorset Studio Schools were taught nautical knots, the use of fenders, and how to hoist and lower Boleh’s mainsail and  genoa.  At sea, they learnt to tack, gybe and helm, giving them the full Boleh experience.

We’re also thrilled with the Feedback, from the children: “ It has been one of the best days…..ever”; “We don’t want it to end”; “ We want to stay longer”; “Such a good day and such good value at £5”.  And from their teachers: “The teams that led the days were fantastic, super friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic”; “We’ve had a whale of a time, the students loved it”; “Both groups had an amazing days sailing”; “Thank you for the wonderful opportunity”.  Picture shows eager young mariners under practical instruction from Boleh’s Skipper.

We are thrilled to report that while at Portland Boleh was lucky enough to have Lily (Lijia) Xu from the Chinese Olympic Sailing Squad onboard.  A Gold Medal winner in the Laser Radial and Standard Bearer for China at the 2012 Olympics, Lily was introduced to us by our volunteer Skipper, Craig Palmer who runs a mental health charity – www.craigsailing.com .

Lily, who has overcome many challenges in her own life, is an Ambassador for Craig’s charity and found Boleh and her ‘can do’ message fascinating.  Lily said Boleh was lovely to sail and that it took her back to her home territory where she would have seen vessels “similar but not the same”.  Picture shows Lily at Boleh’s helm off the National Sailing Academy Weymouth, scene of her 2012 triumph.

The Boleh Trust is pleased to report that Boleh was on show alongside Custom’s House Quay in Weymouth last weekend, supporting the Chesil Sailing Trust and the Rod Shipley ‘Sail for a Fiver’ programme.  Hosted jointly by the Chairs of the two Trusts, this was an opportunity to show off Boleh to the parents of local children who had benefitted from her sailing programme.  The Open Day went well, with a steady stream of other people as well learning about Boleh’s history and the charity work of the two Trusts.

Service children from Gosport & Fareham Multi Academy Trust schools – pictured earlier this month –  helped kick off Boleh’s programme of instructional day sails from Haslar Marina.  In the words of their supervisor these sails provide ‘ a great balance of learning while being fun’, while feedback from the children themselves was ‘really fun’, ‘really good’, ‘amazing’.  A big thank you to our volunteer crews who deliver these benefits and to the RM&RM Charity and the Nuffield Trust for the Forces of the Crown for their support.

Boleh, with her long history of support to the Armed Services, is now helping to prepare young people for just such a career.  A day at sea in Boleh is part of the ‘Forces Ready’ course run by Gosport based Military Mentors and Fareham College for those hoping to join the Uniformed Services.

We’re pleased to report Military Mentors Director, Tony West’s assessment that “The whole Boleh experience is fun, exciting, interactive, educational and memorable, with an excellent level of instruction.   We are so lucky to have access to such a fantastic vessel.”  Picture shows recent military students ready for sea.

A new venture for Boleh this Season is working with the Gosport branch of the men’s mental health charity, Andy’s Mans Club.  Last month a team of facilitators from the charity assessed the ‘Boleh experience’ and found this ideal for hosting talking groups for men struggling with life.  So we’re proud that Boleh will now become a place where ‘Its OK to talk’.  Picture shows volunteer Skipper and Mate, Jonathan and Stuart, with the assessment team demonstrating the charity’s logo.

Preparing to leave Gosport in blustery conditions, Boleh’s crew have something to smile about in anticipation of a cracking sail.  Recently appointed Ops Director and Skipper Craig (right), and volunteer Mate and Team member David (left), are joined for the passage to Portland by new afterguard volunteers, Sarah and Stuart.

The success of Boleh’s charitable sailing programme depends on the skill and care of our wonderful volunteer Skippers and Mates who give up their time to help us and those they sail.  We are delighted to report that this year, thanks to introductions from our supporters Halcyon Yachts, we have a strong new cohort of fully qualified volunteers, including Sarah and Stuart.

If you are interested in helping Boleh – and being happy, working for the benefit of others – please get in touch with Craig at thecoupe1@gmail.com .  We look forward to welcoming you in to the Boleh family.