Folk Tales – Details, episodes & analysis

In part one of this two-part episode of Folk Tales we catch-up with boatfolk berth holders at Portland Marina, Liz & Mark, about life on the water and their adventures afloat. 

Mark & Liz join Portland Marina's Bee Woodland to share the story of their ARC adventure, having taken part in the cross-Atlantic event on board a friend's Wauquiez 48 over the Winter of 2022. Now back in Portland Marina and loving life with their Fontaine Pajot Astrea 42 catamaran, the pair share the highs and lows of their trip as well as their own advice for those thinking about embarking on the ARC in the future.

Happy Listening!

https://www.boatfolk.co.uk

In this episode of Folk Tales we join Haslar Marina's Bex Florence who has been catching up with Craig Coupe, Operations Director at The Boleh Trust.

The Boleh Trust, run entirely by volunteers, works to get disadvantaged people of all ages to sea in restored yacht, Boleh, so that they can be inspired by her ‘can do’ story. Established in 2008, 2023 marks the Trust's 15th year and was heralded by a Royal visitor in November 2022. HRH The Princess Royal visited  Haslar Marina to re-commission Boleh for charitable service and met with a number of volunteers and visitors on the day.

Craig and the team at The Boleh Trust are doing incredible work and we love hearing what they have been up to.

Happy listening!

www.boatfolk.co.uk

In this episode of Folk Tales we join Portland Marina's Bee Woodland who has been speaking to 14 year old boating enthusiast Jack Keedy.

Jack has spent most of his life on and around the water, from starting out in a Cornish Shrimper to taking the helm of his family's 40ft Dufour. For Jack, being on the water provides an essential escape from the stresses of teenage life in 2022.

Jack is an inspiration to other young people like him and a great example of how important initiatives like boatgen will be in nurturing the next generation of boater.

We hope you enjoy listening!

In this episode of Folk Tales we join Haslar Marina's Colin McLean and Captain of the 80 year old war vessel HMS Medusa, Alan Watson OBE.

Alan shares a potted history of Medusa's illustrious career, from her first commissioning in 1943 to mine field marking on the eve of D-Day, right up to present day. 

She is an outstanding vessel and a much-loved member of the boatfolk community at Haslar Marina.

We hope you enjoy listening!

In this episode of Folk Tales we join Marisa Bell and Tim Norris from the boat sales arm of the boatfolk family, boatpoint.

Tim gives us glimpse of what life as a boat broker is really like and shares the story of how he came to be a Senior Broker at boatpoint Hamble, one of boatpoint's eight national offices based out of Deacons Marina.

Originally from Birmingham, Tim has spent most of his life on the South Coast, learning to sail The Hamble waters at a young age. After studying for a BSc at Plymouth University, Tim joined the boatpoint Hamble office as a trainee broker. And the rest, as they say, is history!

Happy listening!

In this special episode of Folk Tales we're celebrating International Women's Day.  Bee Woodland, Assistant Manager for Portland Marina is joined by a group of wonderful women who share a passion for being on the water and experience working in the marine industry. Our guests for this special episode are:

• Clare Elliott, Principal of Quality Time Training sea school as well as a commercially endorsed skipper and instructor. 
  
  
• Becky Walford, Port Safety Officer and a freelance sailing instructor and examiner
  
  
• Helen Paull, director of THL Superyachts
  
  
• Sophie Taylor, A Naval Architect

We certainly enjoyed hearing these inspiring females share their perspectives and experiences and we hope you do too. 

Happy Listening!  

In this episode of Folk Tales we speak with 99 year old berth holder and local legend, Maurice Owens.

Maurice takes us back to his roots in 1920's London, and from there shares his story, from doing his bit for war-torn Britain to living life on the water, and everything in between.  He also shares his top tips for enjoying life up to 99 years old and beyond. 

We loved hearing Maurice's story and we hope you do too.

Happy listening!

In this episode of Folk Tales we speak Harry Dennis, marine biologist and Founder of ultra sustainable consumer brand, Waterhaul.

Harry explains how growing up by the Coast, studying marine biology and working for ocean activism brand, Surfers Against Sewerage, all led to his decision to tackle the ocean plastic crisis head on by founding  Waterhaul, a consumer brand creating beautiful products from recovered and recycled ocean plastics.

Harry's mission is big and bold and his passion for doing good is inspiring. 

Happy listening!

In this episode of Folk Tales  Haslar Marina's Assistant Manager Colin McLean speaks with Kate Fortnam of The Green Blue.

Kate speaks about Natural England's ReMEDIES project and the work being done to protect the seabed. She shares how seabed habitats are impacted by recreational activities and what boaters need to consider when it comes to anchoring, mooring and boat maintenance in order to minimise their impact.

We found Kate to be very insightful and we hope you do too!

Happy listening!