By Andy Milner
Christmas is a busy time of year for most charities and the Jubilee Sailing trust (JST) is no exception.
Having enjoyed a lovely day at the Chandler’s Ford Joint Charities Christmas Market, we also attended the Romsey Christmas Market and most recently the Winchester Christmas Market in the stunning setting of Cathedral Close.
Over 100 beautiful wooden chalets surrounding an ice skating rink has helped make this one of the best Christmas Markets in Europe. And each year, one chalet (the nearest to Dome Alley) is dedicated to local charities with each nominated charity occupying the site for a single day.
Christmas produce, hand carved walking sticks and mistletoe
So on 30th November in glorious sunshine (it rained quite heavily either side of our day!) we set our stall up with Christmas produce, handmade glass ornaments (crafted by one of our volunteers), books, local honey, exclusive hand carved walking sticks and, of course, mistletoe. It was a fantastic day and we managed to raise over £350 for our charity.
The unique JST ships
JST owns the only two tall ships in the world that have been specifically designed and constructed for mixed ability crews. If you ever want a holiday ‘with a difference’ (and you are between 18 and 99) you should definitely check out Jubilee Sailing trust (JST) website to see the selection of voyages on offer.
With voyages ranging from 1 day to 35 days and with locations as varied as The Solent and Cape Horn, there is something for everyone.
#ThrowbackThursday to the early 1980’s when we were carrying out trials in preparation for the design of Lord Nelson . The ship was to be the first offshore sail training vessel in the world specifically designed for a crew of mixed abilities ⚓️ pic.twitter.com/Dk0gwrSomW
— JST (@JubileeSailing) December 20, 2018
Forging life-long friendships on voyages
Lots of our crew members come on their own and forge life-long friendships on their voyage. The ‘difference’ is that the voyage crew sail the ship themselves. Working in watches (4 hours on and 8 hours off) they set and trim the sails, help prepare and serve meals, helm and keep a lookout 24 hours a day.
The ships have lifts between floors for wheelchair users, full closomat facilities in the toilets, hoists and audible alarms (for visually impaired) in the cabins and on the helm, space for a wheelchair and a talking compass for the visually impaired. Some cabins are paired so that a voyage crew member can also accommodate a carer with them.
It’s about testing your limits
Not confident that you could cope? Don’t worry. This is all about team work, and individual strength or dexterity is NOT a requirement. It’s about testing your limits and – more often than not – achieving things you never thought possible. We even have platform 60 foot above the deck where wheelchair users can be hoisted (or hoist themselves) for the full ‘square rigger’ experience.
I have met, later in their lives, several participants of Tall Ship Sailing. The experience touched them all and they were changed for the better.
They learned things that no schools and no universities can teach, they learned self-reliance and teamwork. They confronted their personal limits and fears, their physical abilities and learned how to trust and be trusted.