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14th September 2019 - PRESS RELEASE
Sailing at Bewl Water Becomes More Accessible On Saturday 14th September, Para Sailing World Champion, Will Street, and BBC presenter Steve Brown, joined the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells and members of Mariners of Bewl in unveiling a new pontoon section and hoist at Bewl Water, making watersports more accessible for individuals with physical disabilities. Mariners of Bewl, the club behind the project, support the integration of physically disabled and able-bodied people through the activity of sailing. The club, based at Bewl Water for the past 30 years is accredited by the Royal Yachting Association Sailability scheme. The hoist and pontoon took two years to plan and cost over £20,000 to purchase and install. Thanks to grants and donations from the RYA Foundation, Sports England, Bewl Sailing Association, Hilary’s Dream Trust and a number of generous individuals and groups, the ‘Big Lift’ project has finally taken off. “We are very grateful for the generous support of the organisations and individuals who have funded the hoist, davit and pontoon. The equipment now means that those who need a hoist on a stable platform to transfer from land to boats can now do so in a safe and more dignified way and allows us all, irrespective of a disability to get on the water and enjoy our respective activities.” Trustee of Mariners of Bewl, Richard Hayden. “We are extremely excited to have these new facilities on site and look forward to seeing more and more people enjoy the fantastic sport of sailing at Bewl.” Operations Manager at Bewl Water, Phil Daley. “Whatever sport you are part of, however able or disabled you are, sport is huge, it bridges gaps, it makes friendships, it gives people common ground and that is really important. Sport has been a massive part of my life.” Steve Brown. |
The history of Mariners of Bewl 1988 to 2021
May 2021 - The history of MoB is currently undergoing a re-write. It should be ready for publishing before the end of this month.
May 2021 - The history of MoB is currently undergoing a re-write. It should be ready for publishing before the end of this month.
A short article written by one of the Duchenne Family Support Group about the MOB/DFSG sailing day held in September 2007.
This year our trip to Bewl Water in Kent took place almost at the end of September. The weather was warm and the sun came out adding to the pleasant temperature by the water's edge. This was my first visit to this outstanding venue for outdoor activity. Bewl is in the heart of Kent, an area of exceptional beauty and offers sailing, boat ride, canoeing, picnic, cycling, nature walks, adventure playground and rock climbing.
I arrived late to fined Stephen hard at work marshalling children on and off the boats with great efficiency, ensuring that each child had the right safety gear on. Stephen also ensured that mums and dads had a go too. Nine families enjoyed different rides
Children enjoyed sailing the Triad. The seating within the Triad provides good support allowing those willing to transfer from their wheelchairs to enjoy sailing in the company of an experienced adult.
Children of different ages were having fun by the water edge, some enjoyed getting wet and others were trying to skip stones over the water surface. For me it was just nice to see them having fun.
The Mariners of Bewl members were magnificent in helping the children and even mums and dads getting on and off the different aquatic vessels ensuring their safety and comfort. They were very accommodating, I even got to pilot the big ship, boat really.
This was a great day out which was made possible by those who organised it especially Stephen with his hard work throughout the day. The families who turned out and made the day enjoyable without whom all the hard work would have been wasted. The children for just being the children and for whom the day meant a lot. But I just would like to thank Mariners of Bewl for their continuing support and making all of us feel very welcome - without their help and kind offer this marvellous day out would not have been possible.
This was a truly enjoyable family day out; can't wait for Bewl Water 2008 see you there.
Omar Ismail .
This year our trip to Bewl Water in Kent took place almost at the end of September. The weather was warm and the sun came out adding to the pleasant temperature by the water's edge. This was my first visit to this outstanding venue for outdoor activity. Bewl is in the heart of Kent, an area of exceptional beauty and offers sailing, boat ride, canoeing, picnic, cycling, nature walks, adventure playground and rock climbing.
I arrived late to fined Stephen hard at work marshalling children on and off the boats with great efficiency, ensuring that each child had the right safety gear on. Stephen also ensured that mums and dads had a go too. Nine families enjoyed different rides
Children enjoyed sailing the Triad. The seating within the Triad provides good support allowing those willing to transfer from their wheelchairs to enjoy sailing in the company of an experienced adult.
Children of different ages were having fun by the water edge, some enjoyed getting wet and others were trying to skip stones over the water surface. For me it was just nice to see them having fun.
The Mariners of Bewl members were magnificent in helping the children and even mums and dads getting on and off the different aquatic vessels ensuring their safety and comfort. They were very accommodating, I even got to pilot the big ship, boat really.
This was a great day out which was made possible by those who organised it especially Stephen with his hard work throughout the day. The families who turned out and made the day enjoyable without whom all the hard work would have been wasted. The children for just being the children and for whom the day meant a lot. But I just would like to thank Mariners of Bewl for their continuing support and making all of us feel very welcome - without their help and kind offer this marvellous day out would not have been possible.
This was a truly enjoyable family day out; can't wait for Bewl Water 2008 see you there.
Omar Ismail .