Unity in all her glory All photography © Kevin R. O’Brien
On Sunday 11th July the Eyemouth Community Rowing Project launched their first skiff “Unity”. It was blessed by the Eyemouth ‘mission man’ George Shaw and then launched by the newly crowned Herring Queen Cheryl Foreman. Unity was then rowed to the beach where she joined other skiffs from North Berwick, Portobello, Port Seton and Anstruther. A crew came down from Dunbar and they borrowed a boat to race in, as theirs was not finished.
George Shaw blessing the Unity
Eyemouth Herring Queen Cheryl Foreman launching Unity
It was a great day despite there being a force 5 gale blowing. Eyemouth crews had only a very short practice time since the launch and the races, but they put up a valiant effort and it was great to see so many people watching from the bantry.
The spirit of 6 different communities all competing together
Eyemouth Community Rowing Project was launched in March this year following two public meetings where it was decided to build and row a St Ayles skiff and then compete in friendly competitions with other Scottish coastal communities racing them around the coast and inland lochs.
Getting ready for the practice run
The basic principle of the project, which is supported by the Scottish Fisheries Museum at Anstruther, is that the skiffs should be available at as low a price as possible. The estimated completion cost of one of the skiffs is around £3,000. This does not include the oars or safety equipment. The St Ayles Skiff is 22ft with a beam of 5’ 8″. The standard crew is four oarsmen or women and a coxswain. The first regatta was held in Anstruther on the 29th May 2010 where at least seven skiffs raced. Another 12 skiffs are expected to be launched this summer. Skiffs have been ordered and are being built in Portobello, Achiltiebuie, Ullapool, North Berwick, Port Seton, Newhaven, Portsoy, Cumbrae, St Abbs and Dunbar. Interest is being shown in Musselburgh, West Wemys as well as many other places.
The cost of the project in total is in the region of £5,000 this includes the boat kit, trailer and all safety equipment.
Racing across the bay
Eyemouth Community Rowing Project has raised over £3,000 with donations from the community, local businesses as well as donations from Generations Working Together, Berwickshire Housing Association, Eyemouth Seafood Festival, and Scottish Borders Council who gave us the yard in which to build the skiff rent-free for 3 months.
Ready for the off
This project is hoped to form a stronger sense of community and long term relationships between other communities. It’s a project in which everyone in the Eyemouth can get involved from school children to the retired. It is hoped to strengthen inter generational links and give pride back to the community even if it is just having a laugh at the teams trying to row!
Eyemouth & Anstruther racing (All images © Kevin R. O’Brien)
If you are interested in joining the Eyemouth Community Rowing Project you can contact Johanna Pawley by email: jo.pawley@virgin.net It’s a great way to get fit, anyone can get involved so why not give it a try.
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