Blyth Tall Ship charity CEO marks one year with ambitious growth plans
The Blyth Tall Ship CEO has revealed ambitious plans for growth, community engagement and youth development.
The charity supports people in Blyth and beyond to learn traditional boat building and shipwright skills. At the heart of the organisation is the historic Williams II, a 111-year-old vessel that serves as a living centrepiece for the charity’s work.
Alongside preserving maritime history, the charity delivers training in woodworking and practical skills, helping individuals build confidence and improve their employability, while its archive centre provides a rich hub for research and engagement.
Volunteers can work alongside experienced shipwrights to help maintain the vessel, learning valuable heritage skills in the process.
Plans are underway for a major relocation of the archive centre, currently based at Bates Terminal in the Port of Blyth, which will allow the charity to welcome larger groups, expand upon its recent regional exhibitions, and engage more schools from across the region.
Marking just over a year in the role, CEO Siobhan Sargeant said: “The main area of growth has really been our archive development.
"Thanks to our experienced and dedicated archive volunteers we have now catalogued the entire collection and began the digitisation process meaning we can look to accreditation.
"Recent exhibitions and events have opened new doors for us with funders and raising the profile of the archives has meant we have seen a record number of donations to the collection this year.”
Looking ahead, one of the most significant developments for the coming year is the launch of Harbour Sparks, a new initiative funded by the National Lottery.
Aimed at young people aged 11 to 18, the programme will combine STEM learning with creative and practical activities, from storytelling and writing to hands-on woodworking.
Community engagement remains at the core of the charity’s mission, and the organisation is committed to continuing to break down barriers to participation by offering inclusive, accessible experiences.
Over the past year, the charity has run regular Blyth Tall Ship Open Days which are free to all and combine family fun with learning, entertainment and support services.
“We’ve a growing programme of activities and a clear focus on inclusion and opportunity and our aim is simple: to inspire people through history, hands-on experiences, and the unique opportunity to connect with heritage,” said Siobhan.