Tall Ship Pelican set to unite twinned towns in historic youth voyage
Adventure Under Sail are pleased to announce that the tall ship Pelican will be setting sail from Weymouth on the 20th August 2013 on an Exchange Voyage between twinned towns of Dorset and Normandy.
On board the ship will be 7 young people from Sherborne Girls’ School and The Gryphon School, and 7 young people from Sherborne’s twin town of Granville in France.
Also joining them are 7 young people from Weymouth & Portland, along with 7 young people from Weymouth’s twin town of Louviers, also in France.
In Granville, these ‘trainees’ will leave the ship, and 28 new trainees from the regions will join for the return voyage, arriving back in Weymouth on the 28th August.
Whilst in Granville the Festival des Voiles de Travail (Festival of Sails) will be taking place and trainees will have the opportunity to leave the ship and soak up the atmosphere.
Becky Simmons, from Adventure Under Sail, which operates the TS Pelican, said: “We are delighted that Pelican has been invited to appear at the Festival des Voiles, and it’s great to think we are bringing together the twinned towns through local young people enjoying a trip of a lifetime on board the ship.
“The voyage is open to anyone between the ages of 16 – 25 years in the Weymouth & Portland and Sherborne area, and we’re looking for people now. Anyone interested can contact us via the website at adventureundersail.com/granville. What better way is there to spend your summer holidays?”
Tall ship sailing is an active, challenge-based experience involving work in every aspect of our traditional sail training vessel whilst living in close quarters on board.
No previous sailing experience is necessary as the captain and permanent crew will supervise and coordinate the group, but a willingness to work together and follow instructions will be essential.
Support for the voyage has already been expressed by local schools, councillors, Rotary Clubs, the Sherborne Douzelage, and other local sponsors.
The committee who oversee the Community Initiatives Fund at Magna Housing Association, based in Dorchester, has generously offered sponsorship for up to 14 young people from the Dorset area who are living in Magna properties. Ken Bodycombe, Magna’s community development manager, said: “Magna is more than a landlord. We want to be able to offer extraordinary experiences to young people who live in our accommodation and this opportunity seemed too good to miss.”
Councillor Paul Kimber, of Weymouth & Portland, said: “these sorts of events are paramount for local young people.
“I am a member of the Weymouth/Louviers Twinning Society, and during my time as Mayor I met Franck Martin, the Mayor of Louviers, who is passionate about sailing for young people and works with deprived kids from tough backgrounds.”
The mayors of Weymouth & Portland and Sherborne have been invited to see the ship off from Weymouth on the 20th August and to see her return on 28th August in support of the twin town experience.
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