To mark Tenacious’ 15th anniversary, we’ve launched an Online Memory Wall where we’re asking JST supporters to join us in celebrating our tall ship, all of the miles she has covered and all of the special memories she has created.
If you have any memories you’d like to add to our wall, please e-mail info@babushkacommunications.com. We’d love to hear any story, no matter how big or small! Here are our first entries from the JST team…
Maureen Dealey, Community Manager
“I did my first trip over New Year 2013 and met a lovely woman who was my watch leader, she’s still a really good friend (even though she wears flip flops and socks) and coming to my wedding next year”
Thomas Johnston, Fundraising
“One voyage crew member joined Tenacious with her father. She was partially sighted and nearly deaf. When she came on board she was in tears and not wanting to leave her father’s side. Throughout the voyage she developed into the most confident and outgoing person on board teaching everyone sign language, and even climbing up the mast, which is no easy feat in her situation. She left Tenacious with a new perspective on life which was recognised by her father who greeted her at the quayside. What our work does is really change people.”
Gerry Croft, Assistant Head of Finance
“The memories that stand out in my mind are the various celebrations that we had over the period of her ‘build’. From, the keel laying ceremony (when she was just a few bits of wood on a workshop floor, to the rollover, loadout, and the naming ceremony. It was lots of work for the events and PR staff but also good fun for all the staff, especially when the Freixenet was flowing. As someone once said ‘the JST certainly knows how to throw a good party’. It was also amazing to see her grow from stacks of timber to the amazing ship that she is today.”
Charlotte Butcher, Ship Operations Assistant
“I remember my first voyage after joining JST; I will never forget the smile on my buddies face when she got hoisted aloft in her wheelchair, such a great feeling!”
Ann Kilby
“I sailed on Tenacious in June 2014, highlight of the trip was my Shirley Valentine moment, leaping off the side of the ship into ‘seas that go on forever’ – I have met great people, who have become great friends, watched dolphins playing, gannets diving and seen people including myself achieve things they never thought they could.”
Gary Turner, Jersey, JST Fundraiser
“On my last voyage from Jersey to Cardiff on-board Lord Nelson we were stuck in Jersey harbour for two days. When we finally left we set sail into rough, mountainous seas and a lot of people were ill! We finally arrived in Cardiff, although we missed our food and sailing but Cardiff was nice! I’d love to go back on Tenacious for my next trip. I love sailing, I was just unlucky with the weather!”
Jo Barber
“Phil and I met on TNS117 in July 2004, sailing the final leg of the Challenger Tall Ship Race from New London to Halifax, Nova Scotia. It was my first time whereas Phil was a fairly seasoned square rigger sailor by that point and he more or less guided me through as we were both in Forward Port watch. On that voyage there was a group of us all around the same age, and we all agreed to meet up again onboard one Christmas in the Caribbean. Phil stayed on in Nova Scotia after the voyage finished and we emailed constantly since that August afternoon. His main complaint was that he was bored as he was 18 and couldn’t hire a car so he couldn’t get around!
