Tag: Prince Philip
Lyme Regis boat builder Gail McGarva receives Royal award
Here’s something you don’t see every day: a boat builder recognised by Royalty!
Lyme Regis boat builder Gail McGarva went to Buckingham Palace this week to collect an award from Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, on Tuesday this week.
Gail received a ‘highly commended’ certificate for the Prince Philip Medal, an international award honouring those who have ‘travelled the City & Guilds path’ and achieved outstanding accomplishments in their chosen field.
Following a successful career as a sign language interpreter, Gail enrolled on the Boat Building Academy’s 38-week course in 2004 wanting to change career. Funded by a City & Guilds bursary, she achieved City & Guilds levels 2 and 3 in boat building, maintenance and support, and began a long relationship with the Academy and Lyme Regis.
After working as an instructor at the BBA she moved on to become an independent boat builder, but has not moved too far – as she now works in a workshop on the academy’s site at Lyme Regis.
Gail is currently building a third racing gig for Lyme Regis Gig Club.