Please note that there is no sailing session on Tuesday 3rd August. The next session is on Thursday 5th August. However the forecast is for unsettled weather so watch this space to confirm that we will be sailing!
After the success of the Drascombe Lugger which had been donated to Wealden Sailability by one of our long term sailors, it was decided after several discussions to buy a 2nd Drascombe, but this time a brand new Drascombe Longboat.
When they found out about it, the Friends of Pepenbury said they were very keen to help, so we were more than pleased, at the official launch on the 9th Oct, to name the new boat “Friends of Pepenbury”.
Pepenbury friends and clients at the launch
Just about to make the first official launch
Friends of pepenbury sailing away
It was also quite appropriate to see the new Pepenbury boat sailing alongside the original one, that had been donated in the very early years of Wealden and has been a great part of the fleet ever since.
Old and new Pepenbury boats
Pepenbury old and new sailing together
Jon joined us fairly recently, but after a couple of runs out on the RS Venture with one of our volunteer helms (as seen in this gallery), he soon progressed to sailing the servo assisted Liberty on his own…..well OK a certain brave lady sits on the back, just in case anything happens..!!
Slightly late, but here’s this years video of the Cherished Memories visit.
As always a fantastic day for all involved.
Earlier in the summer Wealden Sailability manned a stall at the Chelsfield Village Fair. We could hardly not do, seeing as the Fair committee had selected us as their nominated charity for this year…a great honour..!!
We were recently informed that despite the fact that a certain football match on the same day significantly reduced the footfall at the fair this summer, the committee have managed to donate the princely sum of £1,225 to Wealden…absolutely fantastic..!!
Here’s a photo of the stand with one of our Hansa 303’s set at a jaunty angle…expertly setup and manned by several willing volunteers from Wealden (including Nigel & Maria Lamb, Meg Warren & Mike Coleman) and ably supported throughout the day by several other Wealden volunteers..
Masonic Charitable Foundation Awards voting has been in progress during June and July throughout the Country for charities to compete for a share in the Mason’s tercentenary £3m fund. Awards on offer were for £25,000, £15,000, £6000 and £4000 to 6 charities selected to represent West Kent Masonic province and the amount awarded depended on a public vote.
Wealden Sailability have just learnt that we have won a £15,000 grant. This is a great result and we would like to thank the thousands of people who voted for us.
This grant will allow us to take forward plans for our further development and more details will be available soon.