Thames Sailability set to Relaunch 18 Thames Sailability set to Relaunch

By Chris Bound

Thames Sailability has now been operating for five years, providing boat trips on the “Impossible Dream” for people who are disadvantaged by reduced mobility or learning challenges. During this time, we have completed over 400 trips and carried nearly 1,000 disabled passengers. 2020 did not start the way that any of us could have anticipated. With high water levels and strong currents in January and February, immediately followed by the Covid lockdown, we only managed one trip with our disabled passengers before we were confined to our moorings. Nonetheless, these have been exciting times for us and the team has been busy restructuring our organisation. In June we finalised our registration with the Charities Commission and, by July, we had opened our own bank account, allowing us to become an independent charity in our own right. Our team of “retired gentlemen” remains as before so, if you come and see us at Shepperton Marina or moored up at Cowey Sale, you’ll see the same familiar faces. Ownership of “Impossible Dream” has now been gifted to us by its previous owners (Sporting Activities for the Disabled) and we are hugely grateful to the trustees for their generosity.

Thames Sailability has now been operating for five years, providing boat trips on the “Impossible Dream advantaged by reduced mobility or learning challenges. During this time, we have completed over 400 trips and carried nearly 1,000 disabled passengers. 2020 did not start the way that any of us could have anticipated. With high water levels and strong currents in January and February, immediately followed by the Covid lockdown, we only managed one trip with our disabled Impossible Dream out on the water passengers before we were confined to our moorings. Nonetheless, these have been exciting times Now, we are making preparations to recommence our activities at the beginning of September. The boat has been cleaned and for us and the team has been busy restructursanitised and we shall be taking every reasonable precaution to protec ing our organisation. In June we finalised our t our passengers and registration with the Charities Commission and, by July, we had opened our own bank ourselves from infection. We are always on the lookout for additional crew members so, if you know of anyone with account, allowing us to become an independboating experience who might like to join our ent charity in our own right. Our team of team, please get in touch. Having received no income from passenger donations and not been able to carry out fundbefore so, if you come and see us at Shepper- raising events, we would be grateful for any ton Marina or moored up at Cowey Sale, donations towards continuing our work with you Ownership of handicapped people. If you are able to contribute. please use the donation page on our website or get in touch by email been gifted to us by its previous owners To find out more, please visit our new website at (Sporting Activities for the Disabled) and we www.thamessailability.org.uk . We are are hugely grateful to the trustees for their generosity. also on Facebook and can be contacted by email at info@thamessailability.co.uk.

Visitors and volunteers

Staines Preparatory School is a happy, welcoming and non-selective school that prides itself on creating a genuine family atmosphere alongside a first rate education. We’re delighted to have just been shortlisted for ‘Prep School of the Year’ in the Independent School awards 2020. This accolade comes hot on the heels of our December 2019 ISI inspection where we achieve the highest rating possible in all categories -‘excellent’ in in all areas. Here at SPS we adopt a ‘Growth Mindset’ culture which empowers pupils with the core belief that abilities, rather than being fixed, can be developed over time leading to an increased focus on learning, greater resilience, and superior achievement. Our supportive and nurturing environment enables pupils to fulfil their potential and become more confident, independent lifelong learners across all areas of the curriculum. During this unprecedented time we moved online with our Staines Prep @ Home virtual learning including a full timetable of classes with a balanced programme of live virtual lessons, prerecorded lessons and independent learning, all differentiated to each pupil’s stage of development. Following considerable planning and preparation by our staff we welcomed back our Nursery, Reception, Year 1 & 6 classes in June, maintaining social distancing and enriching our pupils learning with that all important social interaction. Further relaxation of restrictions enabled us to bring back our Year 5s part-time and give all year groups time in school before the end of the school year. As we get ready for the safe return of all pupils in September, following the new government guidance, we are fully prepared for an ever changing situation to ensure the consistent provision of an excellent education for our pupils no matter the challenges of the future.

To discover more about Staines Prep, contact our admission team on admissions@stainesprep.co.uk.

There was much disappointment that the Red Arrows did not make their flight over Shepperton to mark the 75th anniversary since VJ Day. But the celebrations continued at The Bell Inn in Old Charlton Lane with a themed afternoon and evening. Several visitors had made the effort to dress in 40s era outfits and there was a display of WW2 paraphernalia, including siren, outside the pub. There was a prize for best dressed and later in the evening the crowd enjoyed a WW2 themed quiz with a bottle of prosecco to the winning team. With 20/20, the ‘Mums and Dads Army’ proved worthy winners! (But I guess when the head of the team was Nick Pollard, it was a bit of shoe in!) Money was being raised for Combat Stress.