Rowing boat made by community group launched at Newhaven

A St Ayles Skiff carefully crafted by a local charity has launched for the first time.

‘The Dochas’, an Irish word meaning hope, was made by hand by members of the Grassmarket Community Project, which supports people with experience of homelessness and poverty.

The boat touched water for the first time following a whisky blessing and a guard of honour at the Newhaven Maritime Festival.

Britain’s most decorated female Olympian, Dame Katherine Grainger, was there to welcome her onto the water.

She told STV News: “What a privilege it was to be on that boat. The story of how it was made was incredible.

“It’s such a part of the community spirit, which you can feel as you walk down the harbour.

“What a joy to be invited to be on the official launch; it’s a very special day.”

Community group build the boat by hand STV News

This skiff has been carefully handcrafted over the last 18 months by members of the Grassmarket Community Project.

The charity supports people with experience of homelessness, poverty or abuse. Their mission, inclusion for all.

Wood workshop assistant manager Campbell Deeming said: “A lot of people we deal with are incredibly vulnerable, so they have disabilities both physical and mental, or their lives have really run them down. It’s about building them back up.

“We give them the training they need in practical crafts like cabinetry – and I’ve been teaching them boat building.”

Developed in Scotland, this boat now joins a family of more than 350 skiffs built by communities worldwide to encourage a revival of coastal rowing.

Grassmarket Community Project chief Helene van der Ploeg said: “We’ve been supported by Newhaven Coastal Rowing Club, and they will be working with us to take people out and really encourage everyone to get in the water.

“It’s fantastic getting out, whether it’s rowing, kayaking, or canoeing – the sense of adventure is amazing. We hope we can work with communities to get other people access to the sea.”