Historic Brixham Trawler To Be Restored
The Trinity Sailing Foundation is celebrating an award of £170,400 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to support the restoration of the former Brixham sailing trawler Leader.
In a surprise announcement, the Foundation was presented with a cheque by UK TV star (Eastenders and Gavin and Stacey) Larry Lamb, which was caught on camera as part of The National Lottery: Secret Fortune and was shown on Saturday night on BBC 1.
Larry Lamb revealed the award to a delighted crowd on board Leader which included Trinity staff, Trustees and supporters as well as groups of young people from Tavistock and Plymouth who had been sailing on Leader earlier this year.
Leader was built at Galmpton on the River Dart in 1892 and she is the largest of the five Brixham sailing trawlers to survive in the UK; three of which are owned and preserved by the Foundation. Although the restoration of the main weatherdeck and supporting structures is the centrepiece of the project, it is also focussed on helping people learn about, appreciate and become involved in the maritime heritage of the area around Brixham and Torbay.
The project will also provide opportunities for volunteers, for training and for learning traditional boat building and conservation skills.
During the restoration Leader will be located in Brixham Harbour and visitors to it will be able to see traditional shipwrights at work and take part in hands-on demonstrations, including rope-making and carpentry.
Commenting on the announcement Struan Coupar, Chairman of the Trinity Sailing Foundation said äóìThe Foundation uses the unique sailing environment on board Leader to challenge, motivate and inspire young people and this funding will ensure many more thousands of people can benefit from sailing on her. We are extremely grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund and our other partners for the chance to invest in her future
The project wishes to encourage as many people as possible, young and young at heart, to get involved. For further information or to enrol as a volunteer please contact, HLF Project Coordinator, at team@trinitysailing.co.uk or call 01803 883355.
MAIN PHOTO: Actor Larry Lamb (centre) on board Leader receiving a lesson in tying knots
