The dedication and hard work of students will be shown off at a boat-building open day.
The world-renowned Boat Building Academy (BBA) in Lyme Regis will hold its annual open day on Saturday, April 27, offering visitors the chance to see the latest student-built boats, find out about courses on offer as well as enjoy entertainment and food.
The Boat Building Academy and Furniture School on Monmouth Beach next to Lyme Regis’s historic Cobb is a school for trainee professional boat builders, furniture makers and woodworking enthusiasts from across the UK.
BBA Director Will Reed said: “The annual open day has something for everyone and attracts people from all over, from those who want to come and train in preparation for a career at some of the top boat yards in the country, to career changers or retired people who dream of building their own boats or furniture.
"Plus, of course, those who just want to soak up the unique atmosphere, smells and sounds of this amazing building. We look forward to welcoming – and inspiring– all our visitors.”
Visitors to this month’s open day will have the chance to see the four wooden boats currently being built by the latest 40-week boat-building course cohort.
These include a 20ft diesel launch which was once used as a passenger ferry in Looe, Cornwall, which is being rebuilt and restored to its former glory by student Ben Short.
Student Ginny Harvey will also be working on the 14’ 4’’ boat she is building from scratch, which she hopes to sail from her native Hampshire.
Wooden furniture created by the academy’s students will also be on show and there will be a barbecue, live music from The Lyme Bay Moonrakers and a raffle, with all money raised going to the Academy’s Bursary Fund.
Read more: Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy students launch their boats
The Boat Building Academy Open Day is free to attend and takes place from 11am until 4pm on Friday, April 27 at the BBA, Monmouth Beach, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3JN.
The BBA offers courses from just two days to 40 weeks and a range of bursaries are available. Information on this will also be on hand throughout the day.
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