WATCH: New skiff launched at Beadnell

Proud members of Bamburgh and Beadnell Community Rowing Club launched their new skiff this afternoon.
Members of the boat-building team.Members of the boat-building team.
Members of the boat-building team.

The smart-looking boat, which took a year to build, was carried into the sea at Beadnell, before some of the crew rowed her for the first time.

A large crowd of spectators gathered on the beach to watch and cheer the launch, which was re-scheduled because of poor weather conditions yesterday.

Members of the boat-building team.Members of the boat-building team.
Members of the boat-building team.
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Before the vessel took to the waves, she was officially named Grace Darling by Bamburgh Parish Council's Jude Aldred.

She said: "Thank you to all the lads from Beadnell and Bamburgh for this magnificent job. It is fantastic and it was lovely seeing the villages working together, which was the best thing. It is a privilege to name the boat Grace Darling and God bless everybody that sails in her."

Club members admitted that launching the skiff was a proud moment and said she rowed well.

Tony Peereboom, build project manager, thanked everyone who has supported the project, including those who constructed her.

Pushing the skiff towards the sea.Pushing the skiff towards the sea.
Pushing the skiff towards the sea.
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He added: "I would like to thank Charles Baker-Cresswell, who started off the original concept of the skiff and he lent us the barn to build it in, as well as thousands of units of electricity.

"I would also like to thank the sponsors, including the Stan Owen Heritage Trust, Sir John Knott Trust and Northumberland County Council, as well as local people, including William Armstrong, among others."

He also thanked the skiff teams at Craster, Alnmouth and Amble for their support and advice along the way.

The club has about 30 members and now the vessel is complete, the team will be able to take part in regattas and other events. The club is also aiming to build some lighter oars, so younger members of the community can come aboard Grace Darling.

In what has been a whirlwind 12 months for the community boat-building project, the club featured on TV earlier this year, appearing on Channel 4 programme, Village of the Year, with Penelope Keith.