Junk Yacht Boleh hosts Chinese Gold Medal Olympian

Junk Yacht Boleh hosts Chinese Gold Medal Olympian

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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.

Boleh on show at Weymouth

Boleh on show at Weymouth

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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.

Boleh Delivers ‘Wonderful Day’ For Gosport Service Children

Boleh Delivers ‘Wonderful Day’ For Gosport Service Children

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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.

Getting ‘Forces Ready’ With Boleh

Getting ‘Forces Ready’ With Boleh

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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.

Boleh Says ‘Its OK To Talk’

Boleh Says ‘Its OK To Talk’

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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.

Happiness is helping Boleh!

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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.

Boleh and the Royal Engineers

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Boleh was back among Sapper friends (as Royal Engineers are known) at the annual Lymington meet of the Royal Engineer Yacht Club (Burgee pictured) in May, hosted by the Royal Lymington Yacht Club.  Over the weekend Boleh and crew, skippered by REYC member Bruce Snelling, sailed with the Fleet, entertained the Sapper crews and attended the Annual Dinner.

Boleh’s formal link with the Royal Engineers goes back to the 1960s when she was loaned to the Junior Leaders Regiment RE at Dover as their sail training vessel.  And . . . .  we have recently learned of an even earlier connection.  A Sapper officer serving in Singapore after the War saw Robin Kilroy and his Malay shipwrights building Boleh.  Boleh means ‘can-do’ in Malay and he was so impressed by the ‘can-do’ message that he named his own house ‘Boleh’ on return to England!

Generous Donors Ensure Fair Winds For Boleh

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Over a year ago we were generously gifted a new Genoa by former Trustee, David Knight.  Despite changes of design and Sailmaker, Covid delays and Boleh’s programme, we’re proud to say that this beautiful sail has finally been hoisted.

Crafted in 7.2 oz Natural Clipper Canvas by Ratsey and Lapthorn of Cowes, the sail is larger and lighter than Boleh’s existing headsails and will add to the effectiveness of her signature ‘Tradewind Rig’.

As the new Season starts, we can also report a significant grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation towards Boleh’s core costs for the next 2 years, and a targeted donation from the William Samuel Farmer Trust to aid our work with Youth Action Wiltshire.  We are very grateful to these charities and to our other donors for the generous funding which gives Boleh’s charitable sailing programme a ‘fair wind’.

Craig Coupe

Operations Director For Boleh!

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We’re delighted to report that Craig Coupe is joining the Boleh Team as Operations Director for The Boleh Trust.  A Yacht Master (Offshore), Cruising Instructor and Duke of Edinburg Award Assessor, he has worked within the outdoor educational sector for many years, most recently as Head of a busy, integrated outdoor department at an Independent School.

Craig steps aboard as a busy sailing Season opens for Boleh – in June operating from Portland Marina for the Chesil Sailing Trust sponsored schools programme, and in July cruising West with the Devon Army Cadet Force.  Craig lives with his family in East Sussex and is looking forward to meeting our many friends and clients in the Solent and  along the South Coast.

Boleh Back to Haslar

Boleh Back to Haslar

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We’re happy to say our lead Skipper Richard Metcalfe, with Boleh volunteers and friends, successfully extricated Boleh from Birdham Pool last week, returning her to her Haslar operating base.  Spic and span from the careful attentions of Tim Gilmore and his team, Boleh is now ready for her busy 2022 sailing programme.  This starts with a rigorous programme of crew inductions and refresher training run by Richard in preparation for the Season.

Picture shows last minutes touches being applied to Boleh at Birdham before she is swung back in to the water.