In part one of this two-part episode of Folk Tales we catch-up with boatfolk berth holders at Portland Marina, Liz & Mark, about life on the water and their adventures afloat. 

Mark & Liz join Portland Marina's Bee Woodland to share the story of their ARC adventure, having taken part in the cross-Atlantic event on board a friend's Wauquiez 48 over the Winter of 2022. Now back in Portland Marina and loving life with their Fontaine Pajot Astrea 42 catamaran, the pair share the highs and lows of their trip as well as their own advice for those thinking about embarking on the ARC in the future.

Happy Listening!

https://www.boatfolk.co.uk

In this episode of Folk Tales, Portland Marina's Bee Woodland chats with Ella Hibbert, an inspiring young sailor working towards a non-stop solo sail around the Arctic Circle. 

Ella speaks about the process of preparing for the journey, as well as her reason for taking on such a big challenge. Sharing the motivation behind her plans, we hear about Ella's desire to raise awareness of climate change and its impact on the often forgotten Arctic, and why, now more than ever, it's important to bring this issue to light. 

Prepared to be inspired and Happy Listening!

In this episode of Folk Tales, we meet boating YouTubers and boatfolk members Gavin & James Sailing.

Hailing originally from Scarborough, Gavin & James made the decision in the Summer of 2022 to  quit their jobs and follow their dreams to live aboard their 28ft Etap 28i. They have been documenting their journey around the UK coastline ever since, sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly of living abord on their YouTube channel. 

Gavin & James have been part of the boatfolk community since the end of 2022 and join David Hirst from Royal Quays Marina in North Shields in this episode of Folk Tales to let us know how their journey has been so far and to share their plans for the future.

Happy Listening! 

In part 1 of this two part special mini-series of Folk Tales, we join Portland Marina's Bee Woodland and Liz Sandeman from ocean conversation charity, Marine Connection as we celebrate National Dolphin Day.

Bee and Liz talk all things Cetacean, from the joy that they bring to water-lovers around the World to the risks and dangers they can pose to us and we pose to them. They remember Portland Marina's beloved resident dolphin, Danny, who's memorial was installed at the Marina in 2021, as well as the ins and outs of the Cetacean Code of Conduct and how we can all do our part in protecting this remarkable species. 

Happy Listening!

www.boatfolk.co.uk

In this episode of Folk Tales, we meet James Tyler who sat down with David Hirst at Royal Quays Marina to tell us about the former lifeboat, The Charles Henry, that his family own and now keep at our  marina.

The Charles Henry is an ex-RNLI Oakley 48 Class lifeboat. There were only five such lifeboats built, and she is now the only Oakley Class 48 lifeboat afloat having been lovingly restored by the father and son team of Mark and James Tyler. The Tylers acquired the vessel in unusual circumstances - they saw it for sale on eBay! 

The Charles Henry was built in 1968 and her official number was 1015, and her operational number was 48-12.  She saw service with the RNLI at Selsey from 1969 until 1983, and was then stationed at Baltimore in Co. Cork between 1983 and 1987.  Her penultimate service was in 1986 when she went to assist the ore-carrier MV Kowloon Bridge off the coast of Cork in what was described as a "phenomenal sea state".  

Mark and James are now the owners of the Charles Henry and have plans to share this historic boat with the local community in North East England. As a professional marine engineer, James is well qualified to be custodian of the Charles Henry and shares his passion in this episode of Folk Tales.

Happy listening!

In this episode of Folk Tales we join Haslar Marina's Bex Florence who has been catching up with aspirational young sailor and team principal of the Gentoo Sailing Team, James Harayda.

With his sights set on competing in the 2024 Vendée Globe, James speaks about his journey into sailing. Sharing his how his upbringing in Singapore fuelled his love of the sea, through to his first experience with yacht racing. 

We hear about the plans of the Gentoo Sailing Team, and how the Gentoo Youth Programme is bringing young people into the boating community. 

Happy listening!