|
|
Class of March 2010
Student Profiles and Boat Diaries
| Ian Baird |
|
| After taking a ducking in a Cornish rock pool at 18 months Ian developed a strong affinity with things that float. 39 years later he bought his first boat, a Fairey Atalanta 26' needing restoration. Having absolutely no practical skills but with hope in his heart and love of a challenge Ian managed, with the help of more knowledgeable friends, to get her afloat again and in the process found something he loves doing - building and repairing boats. The course is the start of a career change for Ian who will work in the marine industry after the course. |
|
| |
|
| Francis Clarke |
|
|
Francis
spent the first part of his childhood in Borneo where he was
heavily involved with boats due to his father being a boat
builder. Francis (aka Frank) has worked as a teaching assistant
in China , has a diploma in Outdoor Activities - including
kayaking, RYA dinghy sailing and mountain leader training.
He studied a Fine Art Sculpture degree where he learned basic
woodcarving and discovered his love of woodwork. After being
paralysed from the waist down and recovering for a few years,
he decided to do the course to regain his career direction
and energise his creativity. |
 |
| |
|
| Matt Cotterill |
|
| Matt grew up on the edge of the Yorkshire Pennines.
Always fascinated by how things are made and work he gained
a degree in Industrial Design and Technology. Matt worked
for various design companies, most recently as Creative Director
for a 3D branding and packaging company but, with success and
a management role, Matt realised he was not working 'hands-on'
and so was not doing what he loved. Matt is very happy
to be practising his creativity once again by building boats. |
|
| |
|
| Ian Davidson |
|
| Ian has very recently retired from the Army after serving for 37 years. He has lived all over the world, and boats and the sea have always been part of his life. Ian loves to fix things, and has always had a 'thing' about wood. He is a keen sailor and joined the Academy to learn a skill that he could practice and be proud of. |
|
| |
|
| Ross Doherty |
|
| Ross grew up in Australia, where he achieved a double degree in Property and Construction Management and Planning and Design. For the last seven years he has worked as a project manager in major commercial construction. Slightly disillusioned by the building industry, Ross decided it was time for a change; joining the Boat Building Academy enables Ross to combine his passion for the ocean with his love of working with timber. |
|
| |
|
| Keian Gillet |
|
Keian graduated from North West Catering College in 1997 and, after getting experience as a kitchen hand in London, travelled the world as a chef. He qualified as a scuba diving instructor in Honduras and worked in a friend's boatyard while in the Bay of Islands in New Zealand. Keian then went on to work as chef/crew aboard the S/V Big Reef, making the passage from New Zealand to Australia via the South Pacific Islands. When the course finishes he plans to restore a boat to live on, and continue his travels around the world. In the meantime, in his spare time here, he and Wendy (housekeeper) are turning the courtyard into a vegetable garden. |
|
| |
|
| Nuh Dan Per |
|
Nuh's parents are from Turkey but he was born and grew up in Germany. After being made redundant from his job as an IT project manager for a car manufacturer, Nuh decided he wanted to learn something completely new. After a sailing trip round Greece with his girlfriend, Nuh visited the Boat Building Academy and decided this was the way for him to go. After the course Nuh wants to find work in the marine industry in Australia or New Zealand.
|
|
| |
|
| Jack Soesman |
|
Jack grew up in Putney, London, and gained a carpentry qualification at Richmond College. He went on to work as a set builder for the Narional Theatre and more recently worked for an events company covering London and other places in the UK. Jack has travelled round India and South East Asia, and has joined the Academy to further improve his carpentry skills and learn boat building. |
|
| |
|
| Dick Stiles |
|
Dick has dual New Zealand and British nationality. He joined the Royal Navy as a Seaman Officer, but had to leave due to a sight problem. Dick then took a degree in Mechanical Engineering and for the next 30 years worked in engineering and management roles in the oil and gas industry all over the world. Thinking 'There's more to life than this' Dick decided to do something he enjoys for the rest of his career. Dick's wife, Maria, is joining the eight week Woodworking Skills course in August and they will work together after the course. |
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
| |
| Printable Documents |
|
| Contact Us |
Telephone:
+44 (0) 1297 445545 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
