Each girl had to fundraise half of the cost to charter the Tall Ship, and were supported by 1st Amesbury Girls’ Brigade, Amesbury Council, and friends of GB at Dauntsey’s School (who own the ship) to meet the remaining cost. The day started from Hamble Marina, and took in The Solent, lunch at Bembridge (on the Isle of Wight) and Portsmouth, before returning to port, in Hamble, some 8 hours after departure.
Dauntsey’s supply a skipper and two first hands for the day, but the lion’s share of work on board is down to the girls: including sailing out of port, raising the sails, and steering the ship when out at sea. Hanging out on the bowsprit (the slanted spear at the front of the ship) and climbing the 25m high mast were also activities carried out whilst on board… and were definitely not for the faint-hearted!
The adventure was dreamt up and organised by one of the GB leaders to stretch and challenge the older girls as we are in an Olympic year. The day challenged the girls to demonstrate the three values of Olympism – excellence, respect, and friendship.
Famous in its own right, Jolie Brise was designed by Paumelle and launched at Le Havre in 1913. She was the penultimate Ga^ Cutter in the Pilot Service before the change from sail to steam and the last boat to carry the Royal Mail under sail. She has won the Fastnet Race three times, including the first race in 1925 and more recently with Dauntsey’s pupils on board she has been overall winner of the Tall Ships Races four times.
1st Amesbury wish to thank Dauntsey’s School, and Jolie Brise’s skipper (Toby Marris) for making the event happen.