No, not The Army, The Navy, and the Air Force but the Forfar Rotary Club, Forfar Sailing Club and Forfar & District Men's Shed, who together will provide all the expertise in a Community Project to build a five-person St. It will not be plain sailing, but the idea is one that will add value to the lives of many people in our community, with a chance to explore a new hobby/sport. The project will be financed by donations from every walk of life, by those who will see the social benefits of the outdoors and exercise in small teams from every sport, organisation, or club; in fact, any team that wishes to try something new. The skiff project will be overseen by Forfar Rotary Club and all donations will be handled by them, giving peace of mind that everything will be recorded and protected to bring this project to a successful conclusion. Forfar & District Men’s Shed will give the expertise in the building of the Skiff. Although the kit has already been ordered it has only been made possible due to an anonymous donation to cover its cost. Delay would have meant the cost of the skiff would have been greater, adding to the present estimated cost of over £6000. Forfar Sailing Club will look after the skiff once it is completed, and it will be based at the Sailing Club so that it can be used on Forfar Loch. Skiff rowing is a fairly new but growing activity, with more than 200 now in Scotland and another 100 being built. However, there are already teams competing in races all over the country. It is for use by the community and when finished, will be for teams of four rowers and a cox to use rowing in any form, be it for pleasure, fitness, or competition use. The Strathmore Cricket Club are generously giving storage and workspace for the project and maybe there are others who feel their club could give valuable input. So:
Can you help bring this project to a successful conclusion? Do you have the skills to assist in the construction of the skiff? Do you own a business that can add to the project by giving a cash donation or donate materials? Are you a member of the public willing to contribute, with a commitment to do a good job with day/evening time to commit over this winter? We would plan to complete it in about 6 months. Are you a club that feels this could add to your own programme or complement your training? This is seen by those involved as a real community project both building and subsequent use, with real physical and mental health benefits to the community. Ayres Skiff is a 22ft long plywood clinker-built boat whose design was initiated in 2009 by the Scottish Fisheries Museum at Anstruther in Fife. Background information and a time-lapse YouTube video are available on the following websites:-
https://jordanboats.co.uk/st-ayles-skiff-jordan-boat-kits/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQQph1cIOG0
The ordering of the kit is only the start and work will start as soon as possible but, in the meantime, we would ask you to consider how you, or your club, can help. If you would be interested in being involved, please contact:-
Tony Walker
Forfar Sailing Club
07889722473
forfar.sailing+[email protected]
IT’S YOUR COMMUNITY PROJECT.
