Praise for boat job project

Published 1 Sep 2010 14:00

THE future is looking shipshape for two local lads - thanks to an employment project in Port Glasgow.

Scott Cairns, 20, and Robert Gow, 22, have been taken on to build two rowing boats through the Future Jobs programme.

Inverclyde Community Development Trust are working in partnership with Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club to build the new St Ayles Skiffs as part of the national Coastal Rowing initiative.

Once finished, the vessels will be used by the boat club to make the sport more accessible to members of the community.

Scott and Robert, from Port Glasgow, will be employed by the Trust for six months as part of the intiative, which is being run in partnership with Inverclyde Council.

Jim Bristow, the trust’s chief executive officer, said: “We’re delighted to be working on this project.

“It was a perfect fit for our workshop and training facilities in Port Glasgow.

“I am particularly pleased that the wider community will be able to access training and rowing programmes on the boats when they are completed.

“Perhaps this will be the start of a fleet of community boats.”

The Club received funding to purchase the boat kits through Inverclyde Council’s Grants to Voluntary Organisations programme and also private donations from club members. The club are about to embark on a number of fundraising projects to boost generous donations and to publicise the initiative.

Ian Clark, of Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club, first approached the trust with the idea for the project.

He said: “I look forward to seeing all the folk from Inverclyde on the Clyde, rowing their boats as they used to do years ago.”

John Glover, a boatbuilder with over 30 years’ experience, has been employed by the trust to assist in the project.

He said: “It’s great to get the opportunity to pass on some of the traditional skills. Boat building is sometimes seen as a dying art, but projects like this help keep it alive.” Councillor Ronnie Ahlfeld is very pleased with how the project has come together.

He said: “The Inverclyde Future Jobs Fund programme has delivered good job opportunities and a number of exciting projects.

“It is a great combination of learning traditional boat-building skills and developing leisure opportunities for Inverclyde.

“This project is a fine example of the partnership between Inverclyde Council, the Trust and the Jobcentre’’.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 01 Sep 10

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