Important Update
Unfortunately the Trinity Foundation have announced that they will be ceasing operations at the end of this year. As a result we will not be able to offer the Cadet trips detailed below.
However the Cadet team are looking for suitable alternatives as this year’s event was a particular success and the highlight of the year for many of our Cadet members. Details will be announced as soon as possible.
The text of Trinity’s announcement is as follows;
| Dear Friends and Associates of Trinity Sailing Foundation (TSF), I am writing to you today with the news that, after 20 years of a very successful venture providing invaluable and often life-changing experiences to thousands of disadvantaged young people and, at the same time, maintaining and operating some of the most important heritage sailing vessels in the UK, we have decided to cease the Foundation’s operations at the end of this year’s sailing season . While this decision is regrettable, the Trustees of TSF have determined that changing circumstances over recent years have led to the model, that was so successful in the past, being no longer viable. In recent years, our ability to raise funds has been affected because grant-making charitable trusts, faced with the recent economic situation and increasing demand, have had to reduce the number and scale of the grants they can offer. Also, various organisations who send their young people to take part in our personal development courses based on sail training have had their budgets for this cut or eliminated, increasing the level of bursaries that TSF has traditionally offered to cover the difference between actual cost and what client organisations can afford. At the same time, the costs to maintain our vessels — which are near or over 100 years old —remains high or is even increasing given their hard-working sailing season. The consequence of these changes has been that TSF has in recent years had negative financial results from normal operations and has only been kept going financially by some extraordinary, one-off and unexpected income that cannot be relied upon to repeat. Therefore, in order not to allow the Charity to risk developing a critical financial situation, the Trustees have determined that the necessary responsible decision is to stop the ongoing activities and find new homes for the vessels. With the expected surplus funds remaining, the Charity intends to continue to provide support in one way or another to disadvantaged young people. The Trustees would like to thank all Trusts and other Benefactors who have made contributions over the years. Thanks also go to all past and present staff and crew members who have performed so professionally over the years, who have made Trinity Sailing what it is and whose enthusiasm has helped so many young disadvantaged people over the last two decades. The Trustees would also like to thank the organisations who have entrusted their young people to TSF and who have consistently let us know about both the short — and longer-term — benefits to those young people. There are many other people, organisations and volunteers who have provided support in many different ways who deserve thanks. All of the above should feel proud of the results they have helped to achieve. We also appreciate the support and interest shown by those who have been on cruises, charters, RYA courses and Duke of Edinburgh adventures with us over the years. Personally, I would like to thank the Trustees, most of whom have been in place for many years, and who have given their time, experience and professionalism to steer the Charity in the right direction. In particular, a special thanks for the outstanding contribution made by the Founder of TSF, Struan Coupar, who remains a Trustee, for his unstinting perseverance and belief. For any future communication, please email team@trinitysailing.org Yours sincerely, Nick Reilly, Chair of Trustees |
Original Blog Post Below :-
Voyage 1 – 4-10 April 2020
Voyage 2 – 4-7 May 2020
After the success of the trip on Leader earlier this year, we are keen to organise our voyage(s) for next year.
At the moment we are looking at two trips. A longer one during Easter and a shorter one in May.
This is a chance to take part in an amazing adventure on-board these beautifully restored and well-equipped traditional sailing vessels, with lots of other cadets. During the voyage you will be fully involved with the running of the vessel, get to learn more about sailing and seamanship, explore new places, develop new skills and have lots of fun!
We have provisionally booked these two voyages for next year as the only two that fit most of our requirements.
The voyages start and finish in Brixham and the exact itinerary will be determined by wind and weather, with safety always being paramount. The crews of Trinity’s vessels are immensely experienced, plus our group will be accompanied by two leaders (names to be confirmed) from WQSC.
Do take a look at Trinity’s website for lots more info and pictures: www.trinitysailing.org
The Details
The longer trip:- 4 – 10 April
The number of places will depend on the vessel allocated by Trinity. Cadets must be a minimum of 14 years old and a maximum of 25 years and a club member at the time of sailing.
This will be an exciting and challenging trip, with the aim of crossing the channel and should involve night sailing. If there are more applicants than places, priority will be given to older cadets as they may not have another opportunity in future.
We appreciate that this trip is during the run up to the exam period but feel that a break like this can be quite motivating.
The shorter trip:- 4 – 7 May
The number of places will depend on the vessel allocated by Trinity. Cadets must be a minimum of 12 years old and a maximum of 25 years and a club member at the time of sailing.
This is a super chance to experience the challenges of sailing a tall ship; working together as a team, to hoist the sails, clean the decks and navigate.
You will notice that although the first day is a bank holiday, the cadets would miss 3 days of school. We would hope that the school would look favourably on students taking part in such a life changing and educational experience. WQSC would support an application to the school for time off.
Cost
Included is all food for the trip and loan of sailing gear (waterproofs and lifejacket). The only thing not included is transport to/from Brixham (start & finish point) but lift shares can no doubt be arranged if this is a problem.
The Trinity Sailing Foundation provide a bursary which we apply for as a group. In addition there are plans for all participants to be involved in fundraising activities to further reduce the cost. We do not know the full cost of the trip, mainly because of the uncertainty of which vessel will be used for each sailing. Going on our experience from the last trip, the final amount you need to pay should be substantially reduced.
There is also a small residue, in club funds, from the trip earlier this year. We will not expect you to “sign up” and pay a deposit until we have a clearer idea of costs.
DO NOT let cost put you off – please speak to us first, in confidence. Additional funding is available from various sources and we can help with applications.
What next?
If you want to go, let us know no later than WEDNESDAY 25th SEPTEMBER.
Please email Katherine and Alan Duncan who have offered to be the trip organisers. Contact them at theduncs@mail.com
We’ll aim to confirm your place as soon as possible and then will ask for a booking form and non-refundable deposit of £90 by FRIDAY 25th OCTOBER.
Any questions about the trip before you reserve a place?
Please email suecoomber@talktalk.net.
Sue’s daughter Jo (one-time WQSC cadet and instructor) now works as mate on Trinity’s vessels and Sue sailed with the cadets on Leader in April this year.
This is a fantastic opportunity to get a taste of life on a traditional sailing vessel.
Chances like this don’t come up very often, when they do: grab them!