Earlier this year, Blesma received generous support from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust with funding from the Covenant Fund. This year-long funding will support photography trips throughout the South West.

Some Members told us how they found some of the photography outings which have takne place this year.

MV Freedom Trip by Neil Owen

The photography group in the South West Region of Blesma have been awarded funding, by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund, enabling us to take trips to various places within our Region, with many thanks to Sarah Payne our hard-working Outreach Officer, and Support Officer Steve Fraser. Member Darren Thompson organises this online photography group, usually meeting via Zoom under current circumstances, and he too was in attendance.

Our second organised trip was to Weymouth Harbour, for an outing on MV Freedom. This is a brand-new catamaran motorboat specifically designed to cater for disabled passengers and their careers. It is capable of carrying 12 passengers, six of whom can be in wheelchairs or mobility scooters. It is captained and crewed by volunteers (one of the crew, Bill, is also a member of Blesma and gave us a special welcome). The charity that runs this boat has been in existence for 36 years, having previously run an older boat.

When we were gathering in the adjacent car park there was considerable worry that the low cloud and sea fog would be too thick for us to even leave the berth, but gradually the fog lifted and we were able to leave the harbour. It was not clear enough for us to journey down to Durdle Door/Lulworth Cove as originally planned, but we sailed into Weymouth Bay to circle round three Cruise ships which were anchored there. Some of the crews were seen relaxing in balcony cabins, as part of the skeleton crew that has to be onboard.

The ships were of the very large type, laid up at the start of the Lockdown over 15 months ago, two being from P & O and one Norwegian line. We also saw a couple of sailing boats and the local lifeboat moored up.

There was a much smaller cruise ship berthed in Portland Harbour, being Viking Venus, which was understood to be cruising round the UK.

Finally, at the end of a superb morning out as we were returning to the dock we saw the Weymouth Harbour ferry. A small rowing boat with fare paying passengers – not quite as luxurious as the cruise ships!

The morning was rounded off by a delightful lunch, a short drive away, at The Lobster Pot on Portland Bill

It was wonderful to mix (within official government guidelines), and chat and laugh with old and new friends. It felt as if the world was beginning to turn again, albeit slowly

It appears that for one Blesma member, who served in the Royal Navy, it was the first time he had been on a boat in 25+ years – he was heard calling out ‘Avast me hearties’ and ‘Repel boarders’!

A stupendous day to start the Summer – Thanks everyone!

 – Participant Neil Owen

Darran Thompson

MV Freedom was my first time at sea since 6^th November 1992,  when I was flown off HMS Bulldog, and what a great experience it was, thankfully my sea legs were transferred to my wheelchair, and I never threw up 😊, I would certainly go again aboard the Freedom, and I would highly recommend it to anyone with mobility needs.

Michael Preater

Another great trip organised Sarah and Darran. A cracking venue! Weather could have been a bit more helpful but it cleared enough for some good Cruise Liner Photos. 

The boat crew were fantastic and could not have been more helpful with safety, virus protection and enjoyment. I think a brilliant end all meeting up in the Lobster Pot for some food and refreshments.

So nice to see people in the flesh and not via social media, it is so much nicer to talk to people face to face and take the Mickey out of Neil. Even the staff at the Lobster Pot joined in with friendliness.   

Both places took virus protection seriously taking everyone’s temperature before entry and making sure we took hand gel and wore masks when needed.

Well done Sarah, Darren and Blesma - great stuff.

Steve Walters
I thoroughly enjoyable day. Just getting out to do what we did was worth it. Captain Steve and the crew were brilliant. The trip to the Lobster Pot was good, too as I didn’t realise that there was much to Portland other than the Naval Base!