Thieves steal boy’s new boat

Optimist boat stolen From Dovestones Sailing Club.

SAILING-MAD Ewan Nichols has been left heartbroken after thieves stole the dinghy his grandfather helped to build for him.

The 10-year-old’s distinctive red, white and blue Optimist-class boat was taken from Dovestone Sailing Club just a week after it was launched.

His grandfather, George Powell, is an instructor there and worked with fellow members Gordon Pritchard and Lucy Clough to build three boats for their families.

He said: “Ewan is heartbroken. He started with the On Board scheme to get young people into sailing and was so interested that I decided to make him a boat.

“He was really delighted about that because he was using the club boats. It was for my other grandsons as well — I thought when Ewan finished with it, they could use it.”

The 8ft by 4ft dingy sports four Union Jacks and was locked in the club’s boat park when it was stolen between July 31 and August 5, along with its trailer

It is insured for £1,500 but Mr Powell, of Queensway, Greenfield, said: “It’s the time that went into it. To me it is worth more than that.

“He will definitely get another boat, but I don’t know if I will make it myself because of the time it takes”

l Insurance firm Newton Crum is offering a £200 reward for information leading to the return of the dinghy. Contact 01424 718811 and quote ref 10783.