In part one of this two-part episode of Folk Tales we catch-up with boatfolk berth holders at Portland Marina, Liz & Mark, about life on the water and their adventures afloat. Mark & Liz join Portland Marina's Bee Woodland to share the story of their ARC adventure, having taken part in the cross-Atlantic event on board a friend's Wauquiez 48 over the Winter of 2022. Now back in Portland Marina and loving life with their Fontaine Pajot Astrea 42 catamaran, the pair share the hig...

In this episode of Folk Tales, Portland Marina's Bee Woodland chats with Ella Hibbert, an inspiring young sailor working towards a non-stop solo sail around the Arctic Circle. Ella speaks about the process of preparing for the journey, as well as her reason for taking on such a big challenge. Sharing the motivation behind her plans, we hear about Ella's desire to raise awareness of climate change and its impact on the often forgotten Arctic, and why, now more than ever, it's important ...

In this episode of Folk Tales, we meet boating YouTubers and boatfolk members Gavin & James Sailing. Hailing originally from Scarborough, Gavin & James made the decision in the Summer of 2022 to quit their jobs and follow their dreams to live aboard their 28ft Etap 28i. They have been documenting their journey around the UK coastline ever since, sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly of living abord on their YouTube channel. Gavin & James have been part of the boatfol...

In part 1 of this two part special mini-series of Folk Tales, we join Portland Marina's Bee Woodland and Liz Sandeman from ocean conversation charity, Marine Connection as we celebrate National Dolphin Day. Bee and Liz talk all things Cetacean, from the joy that they bring to water-lovers around the World to the risks and dangers they can pose to us and we pose to them. They remember Portland Marina's beloved resident dolphin, Danny, who's memorial was installed at the Marina in 2021, as well...

In this episode of Folk Tales, we meet James Tyler who sat down with David Hirst at Royal Quays Marina to tell us about the former lifeboat, The Charles Henry, that his family own and now keep at our marina. The Charles Henry is an ex-RNLI Oakley 48 Class lifeboat. There were only five such lifeboats built, and she is now the only Oakley Class 48 lifeboat afloat having been lovingly restored by the father and son team of Mark and James Tyler. The Tylers acquired the vessel in unusual ci...

In this episode of Folk Tales we join Haslar Marina's Bex Florence who has been catching up with aspirational young sailor and team principal of the Gentoo Sailing Team, James Harayda. With his sights set on competing in the 2024 Vendée Globe, James speaks about his journey into sailing. Sharing his how his upbringing in Singapore fuelled his love of the sea, through to his first experience with yacht racing. We hear about the plans of the Gentoo Sailing Team, and how the Gentoo Youth...

In this episode of Folk Tales we catch-up with adventurer and boating author, Peter Bell. We first met Peter in 2020 following the launch of his book, The Adventures of Dofesaba II 2019 & 2020. And now he's back with the team from Haslar Marina to tell us all about his latest adventures and newest volume, The Adventures of Dofesaba III - 2021. With a foreword from pro sailor, Ian Hunter MBE, Peter's latest book charts his course from Lagos, up the western coast of Portugal to A Cor...

In this episode of Folk Tales we join Haslar Marina's Bex Florence who has been catching up with Craig Coupe, Operations Director at The Boleh Trust. The Boleh Trust, run entirely by volunteers, works to get disadvantaged people of all ages to sea in restored yacht, Boleh, so that they can be inspired by her ‘can do’ story. Established in 2008, 2023 marks the Trust's 15th year and was heralded by a Royal visitor in November 2022. HRH The Princess Royal visited Haslar Marina to re-commi...

In this episode of Folk Tales we join Portland Marina's Bee Woodland who has been speaking to 14 year old boating enthusiast Jack Keedy. Jack has spent most of his life on and around the water, from starting out in a Cornish Shrimper to taking the helm of his family's 40ft Dufour. For Jack, being on the water provides an essential escape from the stresses of teenage life in 2022. Jack is an inspiration to other young people like him and a great example of how important initiatives like boatg...

In this episode of Folk Tales we join Haslar Marina's Colin McLean and Captain of the 80 year old war vessel HMS Medusa, Alan Watson OBE. Alan shares a potted history of Medusa's illustrious career, from her first commissioning in 1943 to mine field marking on the eve of D-Day, right up to present day. She is an outstanding vessel and a much-loved member of the boatfolk community at Haslar Marina. We hope you enjoy listening!

In this episode of Folk Tales we join Marisa Bell and Tim Norris from the boat sales arm of the boatfolk family, boatpoint. Tim gives us glimpse of what life as a boat broker is really like and shares the story of how he came to be a Senior Broker at boatpoint Hamble, one of boatpoint's eight national offices based out of Deacons Marina. Originally from Birmingham, Tim has spent most of his life on the South Coast, learning to sail The Hamble waters at a young age. After studying for a BSc ...

In this special episode of Folk Tales we're celebrating International Women's Day. Bee Woodland, Assistant Manager for Portland Marina is joined by a group of wonderful women who share a passion for being on the water and experience working in the marine industry. Our guests for this special episode are: Clare Elliott, Principal of Quality Time Training sea school as well as a commercially endorsed skipper and instructor. Becky Walford, Port Safety Officer and a freelance sailing...

In this episode of Folk Tales we speak with 99 year old berth holder and local legend, Maurice Owens. Maurice takes us back to his roots in 1920's London, and from there shares his story, from doing his bit for war-torn Britain to living life on the water, and everything in between. He also shares his top tips for enjoying life up to 99 years old and beyond. We loved hearing Maurice's story and we hope you do too. Happy listening!

In this episode of Folk Tales we speak Harry Dennis, marine biologist and Founder of ultra sustainable consumer brand, Waterhaul. Harry explains how growing up by the Coast, studying marine biology and working for ocean activism brand, Surfers Against Sewerage, all led to his decision to tackle the ocean plastic crisis head on by founding Waterhaul, a consumer brand creating beautiful products from recovered and recycled ocean plastics. Harry's mission is big and bold and his passion fo...

In this episode of Folk Tales Haslar Marina's Assistant Manager Colin McLean speaks with Kate Fortnam of The Green Blue. Kate speaks about Natural England's ReMEDIES project and the work being done to protect the seabed. She shares how seabed habitats are impacted by recreational activities and what boaters need to consider when it comes to anchoring, mooring and boat maintenance in order to minimise their impact. We found Kate to be very insightful and we hope you do too! Happy listeni...

In this episode of Folk Tales we speak Piers Covill, long-standing boater, Haslar Marina berth holder and the Managing Director of Beyonder, a new boating subscription service. Piers shares with us the experiences he's had on the water and the importance of welcoming new people into the boating community. We hear about his passion for sailing and his thoughts on why it might be time to re-think the traditional approach to boat ownership. Happy listening!

In this episode of Folk Tales we speak with Haslar Marina Manager and Senior Berthing Master, Ben Lippiett and Jordan Paulet about Jordan's time with and before life at boatfolk. From a semi-professional swimming career, to lifeguarding in one of the South Coast's busiest beaches, Jordan has always had a love of the water. We hear what brought him to Haslar Marina and what the future might hold as he continues to forge his career as one of our boatfolk heroes. Happy listening!