History
The Cirdan Trust was founded in 1983 to serve young people in the southeast of England and the Faramir Trust in 1991 to do the same for those of the northeast. In 2002, the two trusts were conjoined under the title The Cirdan Sailing Trust.
‘Lord of the Rings’
Both Trusts were named after characters in Tolkien’s ‘Lord of The Rings’ – Cirdan the lesser known character is the shipwright in the trilogy. The Tolkien theme continues today with Queen ‘Galadriel’ and Faramir still part of the fleet and the present day Cirdan logo includes a design which represents the seven stars and the white tree of Gondor.
Our founder, the Rev Bill Broad
Both Trusts were founded by and endowed by the Rev Bill Broad who inherited a small fortune from his father, R L Broad, an outstandingly successful insurance tycoon at Lloyds of London.
Bill was convinced that sailing in groups was a sure way of encouraging the development and motivation of young people. Partly for his services to this cause, Bill was made a Canon of Durham Cathedral in 1994 and was awarded the Beacon Fellowship Prize for Family Philanthropy in 2006.
Bill says, “It is easy for the well-off and reasonably educated to choose their occupation and gain the good things in life. But for the unfortunate and disadvantaged this is often impossible. Sailing on well equipped and well managed historic vessels gives them a new vision in life.”
Aims
Provide disadvantaged young people with the opportunity for self-development from the experience of living and working on large sailing boats.
However, we do not confine its activities to the provision of sail training voyages. An integral and most important part of the work of the Trust is to provide the environment in which Youth Leaders can work with groups in their care.
Provide a well-structured environment in which group leaders can build up fruitful working relationships with the young people in their care as an extension to work done in their home environment.
Work primarily with groups of young people from youth organisations across the spectrum.
We are especially concerned to support leaders who work with the socially, physically and mentally disadvantaged.
Develop the awareness of the young people to both the thrill of sailing and the need to integrate with each other to remain in control of the potentially harsh environment in which they find themselves.
It’s our intention to make every voyage a rewarding life experience in a safe, positive and challenging environment.