Page 6 • The HERALD • 6th August 2026 v PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 31 YEARS v Waterside Furnishings & Re-Upholstery 023 8020 7895 16 Marsh Parade, Hythe (Opposite Hythe Club) Est 2006 REPAIRS ANTIQUE, MODERN & MARINE REFURBISHED FURNITURE FOR SALE RE-UPHOLSTERY PVCu FASCIAS & GUTTERING CLEANING SERVICE Gutters checked for leaks and repaired Also new installations Driveway, Patio and Decking Cleaning and Restoration Service Very reliable and fully insured Good Rates and Professional Service Special Rates for OAP’s Call us now for a free quote Holbury 07884 112416 To advertise your business in The Herald, contact Sue on 023 8084 0815 or email: sjones@herald-publishing.co.uk Lift New Forest Students Complete Life-Changing Sailing Voyage Students from Li New Forest have returned from a veday sailing expedition aboard the Rona Sailing Project’s yacht, Rona II, gaining new skills and con dence on a voyage made possible by local charity Olivia Inspires. Olivia Inspires supports young people aged 11 to 18 in the New Forest area, helping to fund opportunities in education, sport, the arts and STEM that might otherwise be out of reach. e 12-strong Year 10 group lived and worked as part of the crew throughout the trip, taking on shared responsibilities including sailing watches, cooking, cleaning and navigation support as they travelled between ports along the south coast. e trip began in Hamble, where students quickly adapted to life on board a er preparing lunch and being introduced to the basics of sailing, including hoisting sails and tacking. e crew then anchored o the Isle of Wight for their rst night at sea. Over the following days, students rotated through sailing shi s, including an overnight watch under the stars, and took part in extended passages between Weymouth, Portland, Studland Bay and Yarmouth. before returning to the vessel. Highlights included a night anchored beside Old Harry Rocks, evening activities on deck including shing and games, and time ashore in Yarmouth. Students also took part in cooking on board, preparing meals including homemade pizza, cottage pie and apple crumble. Students re ected on the impact of the trip, Conditions and challenges along the way saw students navigate fog, manage fourhour sailing watches and work together to complete an eight-hour passage into Weymouth, where they were able to explore the town with one saying: “It’s moments like this when everyone is eating together that I feel so grateful that I’ve been able to experience this. It’s nice to see everyone’s enjoying it.” e school paid tribute to the skipper, mate, watch o cers and volunteers from the Rona Sailing Project for their patience and encouragement throughout the voyage, and thanked Olivia Inspires for funding the trip, which made the transformative experience possible for students. Nigel and Paula Burt, founders of Olivia Inspires, said: “We’re delighted that the voyage was such a success. This was just the latest of our voyages for New Forest schools and to date nearly 200 young people have set sail thanks to our funding. These voyages are truly transformative as well as being great fun!” Charlotte Warren, Director of Sport & PE at Li New Forest, said: “We are hugely grateful to Olivia Inspires for funding this trip, which opened up a truly transformative experience for our pupils, helping them build confidence, independence and teamwork in an exciting real-world setting. The Rona Sailing Project team were outstanding throughout, and I couldn’t be prouder of our students for how they embraced every challenge.” Student at the wheel steering Rona II The Lift New Forest crew learn sailing skills
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