BCHS kids take to the waves

IT was launchtime at lunchtime at Cullen Sea School (CSS) for a group of Buckie High students as they witness the fruits of their labour take to the waves.

For the past few months four students from the school – Willow Daymond, Aiden Kennie, Joseph Mair and Callum Milne – were joined by Colin Ross from Opportunities for All in building the St Ayles skiff Canty. They were guided in their endeavours by local retired shipwrights Bert Reid, Willie Henderson and John Wilson.
Friday saw the, sea school’s third such skiff, take to the water in the village’s harbour after being Margaret Stenton representing the project’s major funder, the Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation.
The ceremony also saw the naming amd launch of the sea school’s very first mirror dinghy, the Hope, which was built by Malcolm Hope and Norman Banks. The vessel was named by Marilyn Hope.
Cullen Sea School chairman Prof Ashley Mowat thanked the Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation, BCHS and other partners for their role in taking the projects from the drawing board to reality.
Turning to the school’s three boatbuilders, he said: “We’re lucky to have them here to pass on skills that are dying to volunteers and more importantly to youngsters, and that’s what’s different about this skiff.
“What we’ve run in the past two months os an interest course in conjunction with Buckie High. This was obviously to acquire boatbuilding skills but there’s much more to it than that. It’s all about introducing schoolkids to what is required in the workplace – teamwork, disciple, commitment and development of workplace relationships – and yes, a bit of fun, a bit of enjoyment and a bit of laughter.
“It’s an absolute delight to see the generations get on.”
Prof Mowat went on to add that hopefully by next term the course would have attained SQA accreditation, making it only the third of its kind in Scotland.
After the naming ceremony, both boats were taken the short distance to the harbour where they were formally launched.
There was a thumbs up for the project from BCHS’s PT flexible curriculum Lorna Wiles.
She commented: “ Cullen Sea School have provided our pupils with a wonderful opportunity to learn the time-honoured skills of boatbuilding alongside highly experienced and skilled shipwrights. “It is so important that the expertise of these generous craftspeople is passed down to the next generation. It has also been lovely to see the relationships between the generations grow.”
Also delighted to see the initiative come to fruition was Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation manager Kay Jackson, who accompanied Ms Stenton to the naming and launch ceremony.
“The students involved have achieved an incredible goal in creating their own skiff and we are delighted it is now seaworthy and ready to be launched,” she added.
Their hard work and dedication has been inspirational. Not only have they learned lasting skills, but Canty will bring pleasure to all those who row in her for years to come. Our congratulations go to the Buckie High students, as well as the shipwrights at the sea school, for building this wonderful vessel with their own hands.”
CSS is also in search of youngsters for their next project of building a smaller Wemyss skiff and starting up a community of junior rowers. Anyone interested in taking part in the building or the rowing group should get in touch with the school’s manager Katalin Urquhart on (01542) 840830 or email to katalin@cullenseaschool.co.uk