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APPEAL HELPS KEEP WAVERLEY & BALMORAL SAILING!
December 17, 2011
We recognised before the 2011 season started that we had financial difficulties and set about trying to overcome them. Whilst we managed to continue sailing throughout 2011, we reached a point where it became obvious that we were not going to be able to operate in 2012 unless we raised a significant sum of money. We contacted the stakeholders in the ships: passengers, councils and suppliers, as well as private companies and trusts & foundations in an appeal for help in funding the annual refit of Waverley to ensure that she would be able to sail in 2012.
We have had a great response from our supporters, and your donations, a donation from Lottery Millionaires (the Weir family), along with pledges of funding from Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Argyll & Bute, Kent County Council, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, North Devon Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Vale of Glamorgan Council and Worthing Council have ensured that Waverley & Balmoral will be able to sail in 2012.
Our attention now turns to what happens at the end of 2012 season. The long term future of our ships is not secure and the Charity is still extremely vulnerable. A Development Board has been set up, chaired by Charlie Gordon, ex MSP and leader of Glasgow City Council to build on our fundraising and development and capitalise on the motions tabled in the respective parliaments to ensure that Waverley is able to sail beyond 2012. Support for the ship has been given across political divides in the Scottish Parliament, Westminster and in Wales. Charlie Gordon is joined by Jim Pettigrew, a Financier and lifelong supporter of Waverley, and Sir William McAlpine who is known for saving the Flying Scotsman.
The Charity aims to develop a community partnership funding strategy, whereby they secure a funding package from public sector, private sector, trusts and foundations and individuals, to enable it to achieve its mission of providing enjoyment to future generations.
We lost a number of key staff members this year, and this may result in a change in the way we operate our business. The company is currently examining a number of options to compensate for this but it is likely to result in a higher cost base. We need to ensure we can deliver a safe and effective sailing programme in these heavily regulated times. Those remaining in the team are working extremely hard to shape the future of the business and its operations.
We are delighted to be in the position to be able to look forward to welcoming you on board in 2012, and want to thank you once again for the part you played in making that happen. All the team at Waverley, afloat and ashore, wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Graeme Hogg
Chairman- Waverley Excursions Ltd
HOW YOU CAN HELP PRESERVE WAVERLEY
We need your help in ensuring that the public sector does what it can to help secure Waverley and Balmoral's future. You can download a letter to send to your local politician and councillor.
DONATE NOW
Enter your donation amount into the box above
Text WAVE11 followed by the donation amount to 70070
Call 0845 130 4647 to donate by credit or debit card
Send a cheque to Waverley Steam Navigation Co Ltd
36 Lancefield Quay, Glasgow G3 8HA
WRITE TO YOUR POLITICIAN and COUNCILLOR
Click below to download letters
Download a letter to a council in England
Download a letter to your MP
Download a letter to a council in Scotland
Download a letter to a council in Wales
Download a letter to your MSP
Download a letter to your AM
Support the world's last sea-going Paddle Steamer
Paddle Steamer Waverley, built almost 70 years ago, is the world's last sea-going paddle steamer. In 1975, at the end of her working life, she was saved for the nation by Waverley Steam Navigation Company, a charity registered in Scotland. She then began a second career as one of the country's best-loved tourist attractions. Since she has been in operational preservation she has been awarded four stars by Visit Scotland, an engineering heritage award, starred in a Hollywood movie, and has carried over 5 million passengers from over 70 ports around the UK.
Waverley is a unique piece of Britain's maritime heritage, bringing pleasure to tens of thousands every summer. She has been magnificently restored with towering funnels, timber decks, gleaming varnish and brass. Along with her sister ship Balmoral, she represents a bygone age. Both ship's are shining examples of Britain's great ship building history and they are living, breathing interactive museums, and world class tourist attractions.
She is not just a ship - she manages to create a community spirit among her passengers as she charms her way around the country. Its not until you get onboard that you understand her magnetism. The passengers breath life into the ship and make her their own, whether they are sailing 'Doon the Watter' in Scotland, through London's Tower Bridge or along Dorset's Jurassic Coast. They feel a sense of ownership and, once in Waverley's thrall, return time and time again for a reason many of them can't explain - for some there is a great affection but for many it is a way of life.
The Waverley charity is committed to inspiring future generations by: preserving our industrial past; by celebrating the country's maritime and engineering achievements; and to protecting the investment that Waverley's devoted passengers, volunteers and supporters have made in the ship, in both time and money, since it has been in preservation.
A Vital Part of Community Life
Connecting
Over 140,000 passengers enjoy a trip every year on Waverley, and over 5million have sailed on the ship since 1975. The operation generates almost £5M every year for the economy in jobs and vital tourist expenditure, preserving skills and creating volunteering opportunities. Many of these communities are rural or remote, and the ship's operation provides a transport link for locals and tourists alike. The ships connect these communities and along with their passengers, bring economic benefits to them.
Inspiring & Educating
Waverley is Britain's largest interactive exhibit, and provides an unrivalled way of learning about our maritime and social history. It connects local people with the river and Britain's coastal heritage, industrial heritage and marine environment. Through the preservation and celebration of our maritime, social and industrial heritage the Waverley offers a truly unique platform for inspiring new generations.
Entertaining
Waverley is the last survivor of a 200 year tradition of pleasure cruises on paddle-steamers. Preserving customs and memories of bygone days with sailings on the River Thames and through London's Tower Bridge; along heritage coastlines in Somerset, Devon & Wales; along the Jurassic Coast of England and round the Isle of Wight. Nowhere was the tradition stronger than in the West Coast of Scotland, where a trip 'Doon the Watter' transports visitors to the stunning scenery of the islands of the Firth of Clyde in unrivalled style. A trip aboard Waverley is one of the most enjoyable days out in the UK, and an utterly unique shared experience.
GIFT AID
Say Yes to Gift Aid - When making your donation, if you are a UK taxpayer the Charity can claim an extra 25% from the Taxman to help preserve these wonderful ships.
Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Limited, 36 Lancefield Quay, Glasgow G3 8HA. Tel. 0141 221 8152
A Charity registered in Scotland No. SC005832; Company No. SC050789
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