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“Awesome project and providing lots of interest and new skills for a lot of young people. Important Historic interest and maintenance of skilled talents in this country. Well done to all involved.”

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“I have been following the build of the Boleh and I am very impressed by what all the apprentices have achieved. Well done to all of you.”

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“Didn’t know the first thing about Boleh, but what a story. Thank you Reuben, Henry, and Will for enlightening me – hope all goes well for the future.”

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“Wonderful work bringing the past into the future and developing ancient shipwright skills.”

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“I started at the Boleh Project back in November 2012, I came to Boleh with very little woodwork skills and I thought I might have been over my head to start with, and although I am now sadly leaving the project, I do have a great set of skills to take with me. Not just practical skills, but soft skills as well, and that is all down to the brilliantly friendly team here about Boleh and I thank them all . . . . . . Thank you Boleh for the brilliant opportunity, it truly has benefited me now and later on in life.”

Henry DurmanApprentice- July 2014

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“I started here as an apprentice in November 2012 with minimal hand skills, now almost 2 years down the line I feel a much stronger version of myself with even greater confidence to where I am going to progress my life after leaving. My next current step is to complete the RYA Yachtmaster course and purchase my own vessel. Boleh on the whole has set me onto the right path in life through superb mentoring to myself as an individual. I have been given tremendous opportunities and learning experiences of various tasks and experience days, such as sailing, a visit to Blacksmiths, other boat yards, sail makers, and many more. Boleh has given me the first steps to starting my career.”

Reuben WincottApprentice. July 2014

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“For me and I wasn’t sure at first, but after a couple of sessions I began to learn about how Boleh came to be and how other teenagers had been picked to be apprentices to work on the boat. This inspired me and gave me motivation to get more involved, I even recorded a song for our Boleh video.”

Charter Academy PortsmouthStudent, Year 10. 2013

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“The whole experience was good, I never realised how much work was involved in restoring an old boat. I enjoyed making the film and I learnt how to make short films and give direction.”

Charter Academy PortsmouthStudent, Year 10. 2013

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The Boleh Project was presented with the Future Generations Award in the Small Business category by the Rt Hon Matthew Hancock MP at the 4th ‘Shaping the future of Portsmouth Conference’ in November 2014. The award recognised our “contribution to developing the skills of young people in Portsmouth”.

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“I would just like to say a big thanks for providing our students the opportunity to experience sailing aboard Boleh this week. In my opinion this was a fantastic opportunity to inspire our students and promote a can-do attitude using sail training as the medium. I used this experience as a reward for an outstanding attitude to learning and achievements across all subjects in school. I personally really enjoyed the experience too!”

Neal BurtonDorset Studio School. July 2017

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“It was a great experience, I learnt lots of things about Boleh. I was quite nervous at first, but loved steering. I also learnt about the tides and port and starboard. Thanks for a great day!” ,

LukeStudent, Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy. June 2017

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"I really enjoyed it. Steering was the best part. We went up to the end of the harbour, and I steered it most of the way up. It was hard work – you have to fight against the wind, but I got the hang of it. I would definitely do it again."

RubyAge 15, Mayfield School, Portsmouth. May 2018.

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"This opportunity was a very special one for the students and staff involved. Some of these students are in the most in need category at school but shone on Boleh. (The skipper and mate) were outstanding in every way and connected with our students straight away."

Mark SalmonWey Valley School, Dorset. June 2018

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"Four amazing days for our students . This opportunity has proved hugely rewarding and enriching. Having spoken with the other school staff who went, they all remarked how great Boleh is as a yacht and how rewarding the trips have been with regards to the Social, Mental and Emotional Health (SMEH) needs of many of the students who went."

Neal BurtonDorset Studio School. June 2018.

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"I recently participated in the Small Ships Race sailing in ‘Boleh’, based in Gosport. This Race is organised by ASTO from Cowes and is meant to give determined young people with little sailing knowledge the opportunity to sail. I am lucky enough to have a bit of background knowledge which meant I could appreciate the interesting and unique design of Boleh."

"Although we didn’t finish too high up the leaderboard we all had fun, gained experience and made new connections with new people. We overcame some unexpected surprise problems but we all just took this in our stride and carried on. The weather could have been a little bit nicer but it did not affect how much I enjoyed my time on Boleh and how much I have taken away from this amazing opportunity."

"Thanks to ASTO and the Boleh Trust for respectively organising the whole event and providing a great day out."

JamieAge 14, Isle of Wight. October 2018

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“I just wanted to drop you an email thanking you and the NFF for the experience our pupils at Mayfield have had with the sailing on Boleh. On both days the pupils completely enjoyed themselves and got to experience something new and different. I would like to pass on my deepest gratitude to the skipper and first mate, Pete and Gordon, as they made sure the pupils and staff were looked after and able to experience all different aspects of sailing. They really did make both days special and enjoyable.”

BenTeacher, Mayfield School, May 2019

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“Hi, just wanted to say thank you for the amazing opportunity for our pupils. Today will be adding to their memories. They loved every moment.”

ShireenTeacher, St Swithuns School, June 2019

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“The children that have attended a [Pompey Military Kids] sailing session have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. This has enabled them to discuss sailing with their Serving parent and have some shared experiences. School staff have explained how many Services children have expressed their feelings during the sessions as they know their peers understand their way of life. The sessions have also helped to inform staff about the Military lifestyle and challenges, which allows them to better support the children back in the school environment. I very much appreciate your commitment to supporting our families. Many thanks.”

Nicola ThompsonFamilies Engagement Officer, Naval Families Federation, October 2019

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"It has been a real pleasure and a privilege to take students from The Wey Valley Academy on sailboat Boleh. The students have been totally engaged in her history, design and in the simple pleasure of travelling over water. They have learned a great deal about Portland harbour and seen an area they live in from a very different perspective. They learnt about how to sail and loved interacting with the crew. Many were also lucky enough to sail around the cruise ships, see the White Horse and watch the joy of the dolphins alongside Boleh. The Boleh staff/crew were outstanding. We look forward to your return next year."

Mark SalmonAssistant Vice Principal, Wey Valley School. June 2021

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"Erin had a great time yesterday on the 'Boleh' - what a fabulous opportunity - thank you so much! Many thanks"

Claire Connolly (Erin’s Mother)Portland. June 2021

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"With appropriate precautions for Covid 19, young people from the Wey Valley Academy, Dorset Studio School and Atlantic Academy at Portland experienced the thrills and challenges of sailing the historic yacht Boleh."

John TweedChair the Chesil Trust. July 2021

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"In summary, Ex SPLASH 2 was in my opinion a roaring success. The Cadets seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves, and I as the supervising officer saw each of the three Cadets grow and develop in tangible terms before my own eyes over the course of the brief 8 days that we were at sea. The skills learnt by each of the three Cadets far exceeded the excitement of sailing and were in the real soft skills of dealing with other people in social situations, and confined spaces, as well as more life skills such as cooking and cleaning in a domestic (rather than camping) environment. This really was an invaluable opportunity for the Cadets, which I would thoroughly recommend to other Cadets."

Supervising OfficerDevon Army Cadet Force. August 2021

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“It was a great weekend. We got 20 soldiers on the boat over the weekend, and they loved it.”

Centre ManagerArmy Inshore Sailing Centre. August 2021

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"Sailing with Boleh offered the children a unique opportunity to learn new skills, work as a team, make memories with their peers and enjoy a day of fresh air. Parents and teachers have both commented on how engaged the children were following a day outside sailing. The boat is beautiful; it was so interesting to hear about the history and learn from the wealth of skills and experience of the skipper and mates. The team made sure we got the most from the experience and we felt safe in their hands, thank you Boleh Project!"

Hannah ChaineySt Jude’s School. September 2021

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"An amazing weekend’s sailing and a fantastic opportunity for training young soldiers and members of the Royal Engineers."

Troop CommanderRoyal Engineers. September 2021

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"I had a very happy parent from Newbridge Juniors (a school who traditionally do little for their Service kids) thrilled with the sailing experience for her son."

Alex WattsFamilies Pastoral Worker. October 2021

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"In October, our students had their very first experience of sailing with a day onboard Boleh. The much-anticipated trip proved a huge success and the teenagers had a great day learning the ropes (literally!) the rules of seamanship, maritime safety, navigation and how to safely manoeuvre the vessel."

Tony WestMilitary Mentors Training Academy. October 2021

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"The Teknis Ltd team had a fantastic day enjoying a unique sailing experience – good weather, good company, good food and great sailing! We aim to see Boleh again next year!"

Dave ThompsonManaging Director, Teknis Ltd. July 2018.

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“What an amazing day today! Thanks to all of you.”

Sue HarperNaval Families Federation Prize Winner. August 2018

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“An historic re-union made this an emotional day for all, as memories of Boleh flooded back . Thanks for a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience”

Dave Sully and members of former owner, Roger Angel’s familySeptember 2018

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“Firstly, thank you very much for a fabulous event. It was great fun and the weather was on our side. We thoroughly enjoyed our day out. Please thank the team for me.”

Steve Fitz-GeraldMD Land, Maritime and Weapons, QinetiQ, September 2019

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"It was a great day out. We all had so much fun along with a history lesson too."

Event OrganiserASTUTE Electronics. July 2021

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“It has been an absolute pleasure skippering Boleh – she is a fabulous yacht.”

Peter GreenManaging Director, Halcyon Yachts Ltd. February 2018

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"It was a privilege to be able to skipper Boleh; she is a unique boat and a pleasure to sail."

Chris O’ConnellVolunteer Skipper. July 2018

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"You really looked like you had a cracking sail out there. Well done."

Lucy GrossGeneral Manager Association of Sail Training Organisations, commenting on Boleh’s performance in the Cowes Small Ships Race. October 2018

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“Boleh is a pleasure to sail. I think that she has been incredibly well put together in a considered and thoughtful way. Once again thank you very much indeed for the opportunity to sail this unique part of our maritime history.”

Henry Kemp-GeeArmy Skipper and Yachtmaster, October 2019

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"Wonderful team you have and an amazing yacht. I am sure the Engineers will appreciate the solid wood construction."

Hon SecretaryREYC. September 2021