News

We are pleased to report that the team from Teknis Ltd told us they had a fantastic day last week enjoying the unique Boleh sailing experience.  Their bid at a City charity dinner for a day on the Solent brought them good weather, good company, good food and great sailing.

5 out of 6 from Team Teknis had never sailed before – now they all want to go again, and those not able to go are asking when the next trip is!  Boleh looks forward to welcoming them again next year.  Picture shows the team before embarking on their adventure.

Boleh is open for public viewing from 11:00 to 16:00 Saturday 4th August at opposite Trinity Lightship, Haslar Marina, Gosport, Hampshire.

Everyone is welcome, just pop in and take a look around our historic wooden boat and hear her fantastic story.

Thanks to the Chesil Sailing Trust and free berthing at Dean & Reddyhoff’s Portland Marina, Boleh delivered a fortnight’s day sail programme last month for Weymouth area schools. We are proud to quote 2 comments from the schools: “The transformation in the students from start to finish was amazing to see.” and “We would relish the opportunity again next year to send more of our students aboard BOLEH.”

The success of this programme reflects the dedication of our volunteers, Skippers Simon Springett and Chris O’Connell from the Boleh Trust, and Chesil Trust Mates, John Tweed and Fabian Malbon.  We are very grateful to all those who give their time freely both to crew Boleh and to support her charitable operations.  Picture shows Mate Fabian explaining a point of seamanship to one of the young sailors.

We are humbled by the generosity of three Charitable Trusts, all of whom supported Boleh’s lengthy restoration, who have now shown confidence in the operational use of this historic vessel to help young people and vulnerable adults.   The Payne-Gallwey Charitable Trust, the Garfield Weston Charitable Trust, and the Coral Samuel Charitable Trust have each made a recent and significant contribution to the core costs of Boleh’s sailing programme.

The Boleh Trust needs to find some £30,000 annually to keep Boleh in tip top condition and available for her charitable work and we are extremely grateful for the continuing support of these charities.  Picture shows Boleh sailing schoolchildren off the Dorset coast in idyllic conditions

We are delighted to announce that Vice Admiral Sir David Steel has kindly consented to become our Patron.  On retiring from the Royal Navy in 2015 as Second Sea Lord, Sir David added to the considerable support he had already given the Boleh Project by joining our Board of Trustees. We are also very pleased to announce 2 new Trustees who bring considerable experience and expertise to the Board.

Toby Marris, long serving Sailing Master of the iconic Pilot Cutter ‘Jolie Brise’ and Chairman of Tall Ships International, is joined by Mark Minshull, a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with world wide experience of project management and vessel support.  We welcome them both but have to say goodbye to Sara Lamond, with regret and thanks for her significant contribution both as volunteer and Trustee

With help from Sussex-based Ian Askew Charitable Trust, Boleh has again been able to introduce Service schoolchildren to our maritime heritage and the ‘can-do’ message.  This time the students were from the North Parade Junior School – pictured here on completion of their sail with Skipper, Pete Green and Mate, Jeff Leigh-Jones.

Later this month Boleh is off to Portland to deliver a sailing programme for Dorset children

Thanks to Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity funding, Boleh has been able to start a programme of day sails for Portsmouth area schoolchildren from Naval families.  Students from Mayfield School, Portsmouth were introduced to the principles of sailing a traditional vessel and Boleh’s ‘can-do’ message by volunteer Skipper, Kevin Hood and Mate, Will Barker-Wyatt.

We look forward to working with the Naval Families Federation and Portsmouth City Council to arrange further day trips for Service children.  Picture shows Mayfield School students on board Boleh with Kevin and Will in the background

We are delighted to announce that a generous donation from the Hedley Trust has given the Boleh Trust a new website. This has been designed and built by the Droxford-based company, ‘one2create’, with the help of long time volunteer and former Boleh Trustee, Sara Lamond. The new site will be managed by volunteer Katy Bater (our previous Project Co-ordinator who was with us throughout Boleh’s restoration) and will focus on the inspirational sailing experience offered by Boleh and her ‘can-do’ story.

Visit the ‘Sail Boleh’ Page to find out when she is available to book