Vigilance, one of the few remaining Brixham sailing trawlers, has received a grant of £2000 from the Royal Warrant Holders Charity Fund. Martin Purnell, co-founder of Channel Fisheries Limited and holder of a Royal Warrant, says “I co-founded Channel Fisheries with my brother-in-law in Brixham in 1981 and I have a great affection for the town and its fishing industry. It is important to preserve these wonderful boats which helped establish Brixham as the world famous port it is today. This is a very important part of Brixham’s story and I am delighted to be able to support Vigilance by sponsoring this award.”
Channel Fisheries was awarded the Royal Warrant in 2006 for the supply of fresh fish to Her Majesty The Queen and so it is fitting that one of the few remaining historic trawlers should receive this grant. The RWHCF is making 70 grants in Her Majesty’s Platinum Year and Vigilance is honoured to be chosen as one of the recipients. As well as supplying fresh fish to Her Majesty the company also supplies the finest quality fish to high end restaurants, boutique hotels, food halls and clubs.
Neil Murray is one of Vigilance’s skippers and also a board member of the charity which owns and runs the boat, he says “We are really grateful to the Royal Warrant Holders Charity Fund for this generous grant and to Martin Purnell for sponsoring the application. We are passionate about preserving Vigilance but she needs lots of work to keep her sailing and this grant will help fund the restoration.”
Vigilance is desperately in need of funds. She’s 96 years old and requires continuous maintenance to keep her afloat. She has an ongoing programme of repairs and this generous award is greatly appreciated. Vigilance is part of the National Historic Ships fleet and is run and crewed entirely by local volunteers.
Vigilance is holding a series of free Open Days during the summer and can be visited on her berth at the Heritage Pontoon in Brixham Harbour.