The Story Boat
The Story Boat Project gives a new lease of life to the retired fishing boat Vera of 1923 in collaboration with wheelwrights Mike Rowland & Son by upturning her and transforming her into a miniature maritime world.
In 2010, Gail McGarva built a daughterboat to Vera with funding from the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust in order to preserve the 'Lerret’, a boat type in danger of extinction, and preserve the art of boatbuilding ‘by eye'. With mentor Roy Gollop, the lines were taken from the motherboat and the daughterboat was built 'by eye' without the use of designer drawings and construction plans.
Since the building of the daughterboat Littlesea, Gail held a vision for the motherboat Vera. In 2017 this vision came to fruition with funding support from Arts Council England, The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation, the G.F.Eyre Trust and other local funders.
Vera the Story Boat now travels to primary schools and community venues offering maritime heritage workshops, celebrating the story of the motherboat and her fishing community.
In 2010, Gail McGarva built a daughterboat to Vera with funding from the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust in order to preserve the 'Lerret’, a boat type in danger of extinction, and preserve the art of boatbuilding ‘by eye'. With mentor Roy Gollop, the lines were taken from the motherboat and the daughterboat was built 'by eye' without the use of designer drawings and construction plans.
Since the building of the daughterboat Littlesea, Gail held a vision for the motherboat Vera. In 2017 this vision came to fruition with funding support from Arts Council England, The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation, the G.F.Eyre Trust and other local funders.
Vera the Story Boat now travels to primary schools and community venues offering maritime heritage workshops, celebrating the story of the motherboat and her fishing community.
Preserving the art of boat building 'by eye' with mentor Roy Gollop
Preserving the memory of the Lerret, Vera's last day at sea
Preserving the memory of the motherboat, Vera as the Story Boat