Vigilance seeks new Chair of Trustees
by Trevor Taylor 2 Apr 2024 10:00 BST
Vigilance under sail in Torbay © Trevor Taylor
Vigilance, the Brixham-based heritage sailing trawler, is looking for a new Chair of Trustees following the untimely death last month of Colin Mawbey, the former chair.
The boat has secured a grant of more than £1.1M from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) and is currently undergoing major repairs in a Plymouth shipyard. Acting Chair, Peter Milligan, says "Vigilance will return to Brixham in March 2025 when she will be in as good a condition, probably better, as she was when built at the town's Upham's Shipyard in 1926. We are looking for a new Chair of the Trustees to steer her through the final phases of the repairs and to see her resume day sails around Torbay and along the coast of the English Riviera. Vigilance is of national importance and is part of the UK Historic Fleet and her iconic red sails will once again be a familiar Brixham sight."
The new Chair will probably be a resident of Torbay, Dartmouth or the wider South Hams, have a knowledge of historic boats and be used to working with a large group of friendly, committed volunteers. He or she will be the public face of Vigilance and ideally have some charity background, although that is not essential.
Carolyn Brown, a member of the Board of Trustees, says "It's a wonderful opportunity to join us at this exciting time as Vigilance goes through the final stages of her major refit. The right person will have the vision to help us plan how best to celebrate, not only her long-anticipated return home to Brixham as a major attraction but also her centenary year in 2026 which will generate interest from enthusiasts around the world."
More details of the honorary position are available from the Acting Chair, Peter Milligan by email to of by phone 01803 853838 or 07734 749261.