Chris has a reputation for excellence on the Thames. This is in no small way as a result of his charitable work and his determined efforts to promote the positive use of the river at every opportunity. Read more here

“Within a day and a half the crew of 8 sailors, all with differing special needs, had been shown how, when working as a team, they could strenuously crank the huge anchor on board, prepare four of the five sails ready for setting off, learned where not to stand when “tacking” and “gibing”, been shown knots, warps, fenders and leeboards. Some too were impressively steering a fair course as required.”

An excerpt from the report of this voyage of discovery by Julia Dansie, chair of trustees of The Woolverstone Project. Read it in its entirety right here.

Photos are in two albums on Facebook, here and here.  Also, RYA Sailability TV came aboard to record our activities and a link to the results will be available here as soon as available.

We were joined at Greenwich by SB Cambria, skillinger Pioneer, brigantine Lady Avenel and the Queen’s new rowbarge Gloriana.

Whilst at Gravesend waiting for an improvement in the weather we took advantage of an invitation from the Port of London Authority to visit their Vessel Tracking Services HQ.

An album of our adventures is on our Facebook page and can be viewed here

She made it in time to see HM The Queen reopen Cutty Sark to the public following her extraordinary rebuild.

Cutty Sark, a three masted clipper, has been completely and authentically rerigged by another Maldon based organisation, TS Rigging Ltd, a major project.

An album of photos taken during the trip has been published on Facebook and is viewable here, if you were aboard please feel free to tag accordingly.

Along the way we encountered a fleet of twenty tall ships over from Holland plus one more that is to be based in Maldon.

We also met Janet Harper of Martin McColl who came aboard to present us with a donation and to whom we would like to express our gratitude.

The season is well under way.

Click to enlarge

SB Reminder drops down from Maldon on this morning’s tide with a full crew comprising members of our Youth Sailing Scheme.

A lovely shot taken by passing supporter Catherine from Heritage Marine of a peaceful start to the new season.

Revised Gift Aid Declaration form uploaded.

RYA Sailability is the charity of the Royal Yachting Association that offers people who think they can’t even get on a boat, let alone sail it, the chance to have a go.

Our Sailability Foundation accreditation has again been re awarded for 2012.

Sailability’s training is predominantly dinghy based. A sailing barge is so large in comparison that it contains all the facilities of a shore based centre, whether under way or alongside!

Experience has shown that young people growing up in our society pass through turbulent years. During this time they face a number of challenges:

1: The challenge of choosing a career often coupled with a change of location away from home.

2: The challenge of the transferring and application of existing skills/knowledge and the acquisition of new skills/knowledge.

3: The challenge of greater independence and spending power; greater range of potential interests, involving choice and the exercise of discretion.

4: The challenge of meeting new people of the same age and of all ages in different societal roles.

5: The challenge of new loyalties, different hours, different activities, changed relationships, changed disciplines.

This significant policy document, produced by our trustees, has recently been updated and is available in full here.

The citation reads, ‘In recognition of valuable service to community safety in the County. This award also recognises the appreciation of the people of Essex for this contribution in enhancing the life of the community’.

Pictured are Janet Thomas and Sea-Change’s EO and primary skipper Richard Titchener following the event.