Advocacy for building boats and communities
For details of the communities building skiffs in the South East of England, and the new Inter Community Rowing Competition see: Cinque Ports Rowing Challenge
The following paragraph on the subject of ‘Community Boat Building’ is from ‘Cinque Ports Rowing CIC’ the organization set up in Faversham to promote community boat builds and -their idea- of an inter-community rowing competition in our part of the world – South East England.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cinqueportsrowing/
Website: http://cinqueportsrowing.org/
Community Boat Building
“Inspired by Scottish Coal Miners who raced their own boats on high days and holidays, the St Ayles Skiff was designed to be built and rowed by people from the local community. Cinque Ports Rowing CIC is working to engage people across the region in building skiffs for themselves and their communities.Aside from learning about the boats themselves, Community Boat Building promotes community cohesion, provides a calm, welcoming environment and a novel way to tackle isolation and loneliness.Working in small, tutor-led groups, participants of all ages and abilities are supported through the whole process of building a 22ft St Ayles Skiff – all the way from first planks to final fit-out and paint job. The calm, supportive environment accommodates all-comers, regardless of their ability and experience.The build duration is between 18 and 26 weeks depending upon resources and volunteer numbers. “
Community boatbuilding around the UK and the rest of the World
Here is a place to look at community boatbuilding projects, both St Ayles Skiffs and others from all over the world. A place to be inspired and learn from the experiences of other boatbuilding communities.
Meitheal Mara
A Community Boatyard in Cork City., the Republic of Ireland.
These guys are a charity founded in 1993, and the organizers of the Ocean to City Race, which is one of the highlights of the, week long, Cork Harbour Festival each June. They build various wooden boats, and are a world authority on traditional Irish boats, especially Currachs. They have already built their own St Ayles Skiff, and even sent an open invitation, via email, to the Faversham Community Boatyard to attend the harbour festival. So with a bit of practice, and a favourable sea – team Faversham could row all the way to Cork Harbour within a week if they were keen. They could also brave a day’s drive, via ferry-crossing, with the beautiful – first – St Ayles Skiff they have built and named Avocet. I am sure they would have a great time at the festival, and Avocet would place well in the Ocean to City Race.
Website: Meitheal Mara
Medway Community Boat Build 