Andy Wilson of Brixham has come up with a novel way of using dead car batteries to power Vigilance, the heritage sailing trawler based in Brixham. He is appealing to anyone in the Torbay area with redundant car, van, lorry, boat or tractor batteries to get in touch. “On its own a single battery is not worth a lot but in bulk we can sell them to a commercial recycling plant with all the money going to the sailing trawler Vigilance.” Andy says he’s always been interested in the classic trawlers of Brixham and now he can do something positive to help ensure Vigilance sail into the future. “I came up with this fund-raising scheme and I am so pleased to be able to help raise funds for this important classic boat that is part of the Brixham Heritage Fleet. I’ve now joined the volunteer crew because it’s really important that she’s preserved for generations to come. If anyone in the Torbay area has an old battery, give me a call and I’ll collect it free of charge. I will arrange for your batteries to be recycled so it’s good for the environment and it also helps Vigilance.”
Ray Longhurst, the chair of the charity which owns and operates Vigilance, says“Andy’s scheme is brilliant. It costs a fortune to keep a classic boat like Vigilance sailing and every penny helps us to preserve her so that the people of Brixham, and visitors, can sail on board and experience what life on a classic Brixham trawler was like.”
Vigilance is run entirely by volunteers and takes passengers for trips around Tor Bay and the English Riviera coast from April until September. To contact Andy Wilson and donate your old battery email kimnandywilson@gmail.com or call 07901 626508. Vigilance is currently running tours of Tor Bay four days a week from the Heritage Pontoon in Brixham Harbour. Tours start and end in Brixham. Full details of the boat’s history and sailing schedule can be found on www.vigilanceofbrixham.co.uk