| Christian Youth Enterprise |
| Future Developments of Christian Youth Enterprises Sailing Centre The Gerald Daniel, Chidham, Chichester PO18 8TE - Tel. 01243 573375 Registered Charity No. 293781
Our Mission : To provide opportunities for visitors from a wide range of backgrounds to learn and develop socially, physically, mentally and spiritually. We aim to act in a way that they experience Christian love, unconditional positive regard and hearing the good news of Jesus. Development needs: Accommodation for visitors is provided on the ‘Gerald Daniel' (GD) a wooden ex Royal Navy ‘Ham Class' minesweeper that has been on its present moorings for 37 years and is over 50 years old. Staying on the ship has proved to be exciting and a source of fascinations and wonder for very many visitors. It is very much the heart of operations at the Centre. It is however reaching a stage where maintenance is becoming more difficult and the standard of accommodation no longer meets the requirements of some groups. We also consider it to be important to the harbour environment to move the ship while it is in a fit condition to do so. Future Plans: We are at the early stages of seeking to replace the GD with a new vessel. We have located an excellent barge which can be adapted to meet the accommodation requirements. Compared with the GD it is 0.5 m shorter in length and 2.5 m greater in its beam. It has a rounded bow, a flat stern and a draft of about 0.5 m. Accommodation would be on two decks but due the shallow draft the height would be similar to the GD. Work on the vessel would be completed at a shipyard and then it could be brought to the moorings. The GD would be removed in the same operation. Those we have consulted include the Harbourmaster, Cobnor Estate Owner, Chidham Parish Council, Bosham Quay Master, local residents and the Chairman of the ‘Friends of Chichester Harbour.' They have all supported the plans with a few provisos that we agree with entirely. We are very keen to preserve the ambiance and environment of the harbour which we value greatly and is very precious to us. We have moved from considering building accommodation on land largely due to the impact it would have on the locality. We are currently seeking planning permission and we hope to be able allay any concerns that our neighbours might have. If you have questions or would like to view plans in greater detail please contact Gavin Jones at the Centre, he will be happy to help. |
| RNLI PRESENT CHRISTIAN YOUTH ENTERPRISE WITH CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE On 17th September 2005 Christian Youth Enterprises Sailing Centre celebrated 20 years of operation at Chidham. One of the Visitors was the White Watch crew of Hayling Island Lifeboat. Senior Helmsman Ian Harris presented Norman Doney, Executive Director with a certificate congratulating them on 20 years of saving lives through education.  During the day 300 people joined in boat trips, tours, raft racing and enjoyed exhibitions and presentations about the history and work of the centre. There were many people there who had attended as teenagers, and now returned as volunteers and leaders and testified to the great benefit they had derived from being involved. From 5-6pm a service of thanksgiving was held followed by a black tie dinner and party for 150 revellers, including live band. Norman Doney shared some amusing incidents from the history, many of which involved those attending in their earlier years!! The centre was established by Christian Youth Enterprise in 1985, having taken over the site and the ex navy minesweeper, The Gerald Daniel, from the Sussex Police .  Now it offers a full programme of sailing, canoeing, rafting and land activities including assault course, climbing wall and archery. The centre caters for school groups who come from all over the South of England during term time and youth groups at weekends. There are also opportunities for individuals to learn to sail and canoe from the age of 8 through to adult and a range of fun weekend and week long activity breaks for all ages and families. The minesweeper is converted to an accommodation ship providing beds and facilities for 40 people. The organisation is Christian based, linking activities with Christian principles and education. There is a staff team of 14 throughout the year, providing instruction and a fully catered residential facility. Contact the centre for details: Christian Youth Enterprisers Sailing Centre The Gerald Daniel Chidham Chichester PO18 8TE Tel 01243 573375 |
| link to the CYE website | Poster about RYA dinghy training |
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