Team Helen Mary R welcome home party

Published 13:08 on 10 Nov 2025

"Venturers, parents and sponsors gathered at St Mawes Sailing Club at 6pm on Saturday 8th November for the official Team Helen Mary R welcome home party" To see more of the event CLICK HERE

Proceedings started early to welcome Gaye Slater and David Mitchell of Flushing Sailing Club, who had to leave for an event at their own club, but who were keen to meet their venturer Orson and his family.  Orson showed us his beautiful painting of the Helen Mary R and told us about his plans to use his creative skills to train for a career in boat building. He later presented his painting to skipper Matt and his team at Morvargh Sailing Project as a mark of his appreciation and gratitude.

We were delighted to welcome Rubys parents (Ruby was unable to make it due to a university visit) who had even decided to make a weekend of it and stay in St Mawes.  They had a wonderful evening chatting with her sponsors Daniel and Karen Hore of Frost Builders.

There was a real buzz amongst the seven venturers present. They looked genuinely pleased to see one other again.  They and their families mingled with the sponsors and other families who were full of praise for the voyage and how it has had such a positive impact.

Once everyone had arrived, been introduced and been to the bar (in no particular order!), they were ushered upstairs where Mark Osborn made his introductions and then displayed photos of the voyage which the voyagers and skipper Matt Barraud were able to comment on to much hilarity -  Matt and Vickys list of silly games  is certainly extensive.  It clearly showed how Matt and Vicky are so brilliant with the youngsters, ensuring that they had the best experience, with one venturer commenting that he had never laughed so much for such an extended period of time.

Then we saw a video produced by venturer Alfie J, with highlights of the voyage and what they had got up to in Roscoff and Tréguier.  Again this created much laughter and comment as they reminisced. 

We were given the voyage report White Light Across the Water, compiled with the input of venturers photographs, a daily log by skipper Matt and a beautifully written account of the experience by venturer Isabelle, who sadly couldnt join us owing to school commitments. A great reminder of the good time aboard and ashore.

Pasties were served and it was back downstairs to continue the evening, where the voyagers in true style got stuck into several rounds of their favourite card game UNO.

Thank you so much on behalf of RYST, venturers and parents for your generous sponsorship of our fifth offshore expedition.

Last updated 13:08 on 10 November 2025