News
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A visit from the local MP
We were delighted recently to welcome our local MP to visit the project to see what we do. We started the visit at the Royal Harwich YC and then headed out for a trip on the river on our Wheelyboat. After a look round the local area, taking in a bit of local history, we headed back in to meet the staff from Woolverstone Marina and Lodge Park and then finished off with a cup
Published 15:03 on 2 Sep 2024
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Wildlife watching trips
Over the last month we have been running a series of wildlife watching trips at the weekend using our Wheelyboat. Over 10 sessions we took 52 people out on the water and with the help of a wildlife expert we all realised the extensive wealth of bird life on the Orwell. While we regularly see it on our trips, we perhaps hadn't fully realised just how many birds regard the river as their home (and
Published 11:11 on 22 Aug 2024
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Hansa TT Results
The results for the Hansa TT Event were as follows: Hansa 3.03 1-person class 1st Rory McKinna (Glasgow Bonnet) 2nd Mike Everitt (Jaguar) 3rd Leslie Philip (Hansa Yellow) Hansa 3.03 2-person class 1st Lynne & Stuart Swann (Lady Jane) 2nd Philip Hall & Denise Bryant (Hansa Blue) 3rd Rick & Sue Jillings (Hansa Red) Liberty 1st Paul Pearson 2nd Paul Phillips (Saoirse) 3rd
Published 00:00 on 16 Aug 2024
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Hansa TT Event
The Woolverstone Project were delighted to welcome the Hansa Class Association to Alton Water for a TT event on August 14th. The last time the Project hosted the Hansa Class was over a decade ago, so it was exciting to be a venue for the class once again. The total entry was 19 boats with 15 visitors and 4 local Woolverstone Project sailors. The 1-person Hansa Class had 9 entries, the 2-person 6 entries and
Published 00:00 on 15 Aug 2024
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Project 21 sailing day
As well as our regular sailing, we often do some special sailing days for various groups. One of those is Project 21. They run activities, clubs and events for people with Down's Syndrome in the East of England and we are delighted to be one of those activities. We were really lucky with the weather and, though it was a little chilly, there was a perfect sailing breeze allowing them to take charge of the
Published 20:27 on 1 May 2024
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Compounding our compound
We always start sailing quite early in the year - usually in March. With an early start like that comes, not surprisingly, weather risks. Usually these are strong winds, but this year it was just relentlessly wet. This caused us some problems with moving boats in and out of the compound, so we decided to try and improve the access. One of our volunteers did a detailed survey of the site and researched a range
Published 14:58 on 25 Apr 2024
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Fred Olsen - grant
We were delighted to welcome staff from Fred Olsen and Suffolk Community Foundation to our session at Alton Water. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines awarded a £2,000 grant to the oolverstone Project, as part of funding through the Suffolk Community Foundation and the staff came to present us with the cheque. Georgina May, Public Relations Executive and member of the Charity Committee at Fred Olsen Cruises Lines, said: "Supporting local communities is close to
Published 10:48 on 30 Sep 2023
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The history of Little Ship
The Woolverstone Project was founded in 1993, the year of the Royal Harwich Yacht Club's 150th Anniversary. The first Trustees were Peter Hooper, Johnty Dickinson and Simon Tozer, all members of the Club. Their names live on through our boats - the Sonar is named Kip (Johnty's nickname) and one of our 3.03s is called Simon Tozer. In 1994 the Project was presented with its first two boats. A Drascombe Longboat, "Shellduck", was donated by
Published 16:32 on 28 Jul 2023
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Parkinson's Day
Following on from our very successful Success After Stroke day, we also ran a day for a local Parkinson's support group. Around 26 sailors came down to the Royal Harwich Yacht Club and went out on our Sonar and Wheelyboat for a number of sessions. The sailing went so well that a number of people stayed on to have a second go on our Sonar for the afternoon - a great day's sailing and very
Published 18:14 on 27 Jul 2023
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Success After Stroke day
Every year we host a day for the Success After Stroke group - using our Wheelyboat and Sonar to take their members out on the river. The day was hosted at the Royal Harwich YC and thanks to all their members who helped support the day. It was an excellent day with a total of 46 people getting on the water to enjoy the beautiful River Orwell at its best. Thanks as well to
Published 13:28 on 19 Jul 2023
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Celebrating 30 years
2023 marks the 30th Anniversary of the Woolverstone Project. The Royal Harwich Yacht Club founded the Project in 1993, the year of the Club's 150th Anniversary. It was the brainchild of the then Commodore Mrs Margaret Howard. There should be, she said, an organisation within the Club which would provide the facilities to sail for any person with any disability whatsoever, be it physical or sensory and its creation would also be a memorable way
Published 00:00 on 20 Jun 2023
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Discover Sailing Day
On Saturday May 15 th the project hosted a Discover Sailing Day at Alton Water. This was an opportunity for people to come down and see what we do and how our specially adapted boats allow anyone to get on the water whatever mobility or other constraints they may face. We were bowled over by the response 45 people came down to try things out and have a go in our RS Ventures
Published 14:56 on 22 May 2023
