In 2014 I was privileged to be part of a project to bring Community Rowing back to the river Blyth. Today with the building of their second skiff underway I'm pleased to announce that the team has joined us online as another regular contributor on BlythTown.net.

It all started as an idea and culminated in the creation of the Blyth Community Rowing club. On the way there it saw offshoots that included a maritime festival, the boat named by Croftway Primary Academy, the build in the local shopping centre, talks regarding a water sports facility and the community of Blyth winning 3rd place in the Great British High Street Awards.

Initial funding came from Olympic Legacy money granted by Blyth Town Council and with their guidance along with the Royal Northumberland Yacht Club, Port of Blyth and the Buffalo Community Centre the project delivered on every front. Not to mention the involvement of the Keel Row Shopping Centre who allowed the team the opportunity to build it in full view of the public.

The St Ayles Skiff or "Crofton" as the children named her was the first coastal rowing boat to venture onto the river Blyth after an absence of over 50 years. Our local historian Alan Fryer (Who I'm sure will at some point discuss the history of the river on here) was another that was involved in the process volunteering his time to help educate the kids at Croftway on the importance of Northumberland’s premier port.

It seemed that for a period of 5 months everyone from the local community, businesses and the council to the Blyth Tall Ship project (they hand crafted the oars) got involved as interest in Crofton brought visitors from Amble, Alnmouth, Gateshead and Whitburn to see her being made. Not to mention the Department for Communities and Local government in Westminster.

In June Headway Arts took the lead in creating decorations for a maritime themed festival that saw the virgin voyage of the town skiff link up with the Town Councils annual summer fair run by local event co-ordinator Paul Taylor of Community Works.

Two years on and the group is steadily growing with the second skiff "Bebside" being built in partnership with students at the Blyth Academy.

If you would like to give rowing a go or get involved with a community group that has a lively social life email info@blythcommunityrowingclub.co.uk. It's free to try, families are more than welcome and if you like it you'll be invited to join as a member for as little as £15 a year. Its great fun and I guarantee you'll enjoy rowing with this lot!!!

In the meantime find out how the build is going or where they are rowing this week by checking in on here over the spring and summer months.

PR and Photos

>>Community Rowing Boat Launched in Blyth - Evening Chronicle link<<

>>Rowing enthusiasts come together to build a boat in Blyth shopping centre - Chronicle Live link<<