Skylark IX Recovery Trust announces Bright Future for Dunkirk Little Ship
The Skylark IX Recovery Trust has announced ambitious plans to secure a bright future for the much-loved Skylark IX 'Dunkirk Little Ship' at the heart of a new immersive heritage experience!
Article Source: Skylark IX Recovery Trust
Last Updated: 1 June 2021 11:39
Image Credit: Martin Shields
The proposed £3m Spirit of Skylark Centre will ensure a permanent home for Skylark IX, which is listed on the National Historic Ships Register and believed to be one of only two ‘Dunkirk Little Ships’ from the World War 2 Operation Dynamo surviving in Scotland.
The Little Ship was rescued and is currently being restored by a specialist boatbuilding team working with people recovering from drug addiction and social isolation thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The new Centre will enable the Trust to help a far greater number across West Dunbartonshire through boatbuilding, heritage and arts programmes inspired by Skylark and her story.
The Spirit of Skylark Centre, which will sit in the grounds of the Scottish Maritime Museum (Denny Tank) on Castle Street, will also add a dynamic new dimension to Dumbarton’s rich heritage and, it is hoped, link into the regeneration of Dumbarton waterfront and town centre.
The Skylark IX Recovery Trust, a collaboration between West Dunbartonshire’s Alternatives Drug Recovery Service, The Vale of Leven Remembrance Association and Leven Cruising Club, with support from the Scottish Maritime Museum, revealed plans for the Spirit of Skylark Centre during the 81st Anniversary of Dunkirk.
Skylark IX, which was built as a pleasure boat in 1934 as Britain’s new seaside resorts grew in popularity, will sit at the heart of the new Spirit of Skylark Centre. An immersive sound and vision experience will bring visitors right into the heart of the story of Operation Dynamo and take them ‘doon the watter’, celebrating the enduring appeal of pleasure boating as epitomised by the famous call ‘All Aboard the Skylark!’.
At the Spirit of Skylark Centre Boatbuilding Shed, which will have access to Dumbarton’s waterfront, Alternatives clients and community members will learn traditional wooden boatbuilding skills as they construct 22 foot St Ayles skiffs.
Working with boatbuilding experts at Archipelago Folkschool, the Trust hopes to develop apprenticeships so trainees can gain qualifications to aid employability.
The Trust also hopes to build on the skiff building to revitalise Dumbarton’s strong coastal rowing tradition which faded in the late 1920s.
As well as a café, community space and courtyard, the new Spirit of Skylark Centre will include a space for Remembrance and reflection. A second Remembrance spot will be located at Sweeney’s Cruise Company in Balloch, where veterans boarded Skylark for Remembrance trips on Loch Lomond for thirty years.
The new Spirit of Skylark Centre will also reflect Dumbarton’s wider maritime, industrial and social history also on show at the neighbouring Scottish Maritime Museum, which stands on the site of the former famous and innovative William Denny Shipyard.
Volunteering, leisure and life-long learning opportunities will also include research for higher education; teaching resources, projects and visits for primary and secondary schools; oral history, film and performance projects.
Unveiling the plans, Mary Burch BEM, Chair of the Skylark IX Recovery Trust, says: “In her lifetime, Skylark has been battered by wartime service, storms and at least two sinkings. Although, following an in-depth condition survey and advice from marine surveyors and maritime heritage experts, we have had to sadly accept that she will never sail again, we have taken some of her indomitable spirit to go well beyond our original vision.
“With our proposed Spirit of Skylark Centre, we will preserve Skylark IX in the most historically authentic and dignified way and help more people make positive and even transformative change to their lives and community. We willensure that Skylark remains in our community as a significant reminder of the history of Dunkirk and the Little Ships, as a tool for education, employment and inclusivity and as a landmark that will merge with the future plans of Dumbarton and bring visitors to see what hope and resilience can achieve.
“We are so grateful to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and all the veterans, local community groups and passionate individuals who have steadfastly supported Skylark IX over the past decade and enabled us to embark on this hugely exciting new chapter in her life.”
The Spirit of Skylark Centre has been developed in collaboration with the Scottish Maritime Museum, which is home to Scotland’s national maritime heritage collection with sites at Dumbarton and Irvine, Ayrshire.
David Mann, Director of the Scottish Maritime Museum adds: “We are delighted to collaborate with the Skylark IX Recovery Trust on the proposed Spirit of Skylark Centre. The William Denny Shipyard, which stood on this spot, was possibly the most prolific shipbuilder in its day, building a staggering 1,500 vessels before closing in 1963. The new Spirit of Skylark Centre will play an important role in helping us tell the rich story of Dumbarton’s maritime heritage. It will also play a part in keeping our wooden boatbuilding skills alive, providing positive opportunities for people across West Dunbartonshire and attracting new visitors to the area.”
The Skylark IX Recovery Trust plans to begin fundraising in early 2022 and hopes to start construction of the Spirit of Skylark Centre in 2025.
In 2018, the National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded the Skylark IX Recovery Trust a grant of £404,000 for activity up to the end of 2021, specifically preserving Skylark and delivering skills training for Alternatives clients recovering from addiction and members of the local communities of Dumbarton and West Dunbartonshire.
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust has also given support.
Skylark IX Recovery Trust projects to date include skiff training workshops in a temporary workshop at the Scottish Maritime Museum in Dumbarton and skiff model making programmes led by Zoom during Lockdown; a community Lockdown Patchwork Quilt created by 47 volunteers; and online events during the 80th Anniversary of Dunkirk.
LDN Architects produced the initial concept designs for the Spirit of Skylark Centre, taking inspiration from traditional Scottish boat sheds and responding to the long low roofs and architecture of the Scottish Maritime Museum’s Denny Tank, the world’s oldest surviving hull experiment tank.
Skylark IX is currently under the care of the Scottish Maritime Museum’s Scottish Boat Building School in Irvine, Ayrshire.
For more information, visit www.skylarkix.co.uk
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Primary schools in Scotland given chance to win specifically curated Burns Supper from Aldi
Aldi Scotland is giving primary school pupils across Scotland the chance to enjoy a truly traditional Burns Supper, complete with all the trimmings, including a bagpiper.
READ MORE
Glasgow International Comedy Festival launches 2026 programme with over 100,000 tickets on sale
Glasgow International Comedy Festival has announced the full programme for 2026's event with 560 shows in 40 venues across the city from 11th - 29th March, and over 100,000 tickets now on sale!
READ MORE
Glasgow Film Festival 2026 to open with UK Premiere of Everybody To Kenmure Street
A documentary about one of Scotland's most spontaneous and successful acts of civil resistance in recent memory will open Glasgow Film Festival's 22nd edition on 25th February!
READ MORE
Celebrate Burns Night 2026 at Flight Club
If you're looking for a fun way to celebrate Burns Night this year, head to Flight Club!
READ MORE
Calling all Gingers!
The IRN-BRU Carnival is showing appreciation to any fellow fiery headed pals by offering a bonus ride voucher to anyone visiting with ginger hair on Sunday 11th January!
READ MORE
Everything you need to know about Celtic Connections 2026
The renowned festival which every year transforms Glasgow in January into a must-visit destination for music lovers is now just over a week away.
READ MORE
Zizzi launches their January Birthday Jackpot
Zizzi's January Birthday Jackpot guarantees a special gift for adults born in January, with some lucky birthday guests receiving the jackpot prize - £100 towards their bill!
READ MORE
Litter picking dog charity aims to remove 44 million pieces of rubbish in 2026
Dog owners making an environmental New Year Resolution are hoped to boost the ranks of the Paws On Plastic charity to over 30,000 in 2026!
READ MORE
Full casting announced for Legally Blonde: The Musical
Full casting has been announced for Legally Blonde: The Musical which will have its Scottish premiere at The King's Theatre Glasgow in April!
READ MORE
Brand new craft event encourages mindfulness, creativity and relaxation
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting customers along to an afternoon of creativity, connection, and cake this January, with a brand-new Crafternoon Tea Club.
READ MORE
Famous faces share their DofE Award memories in celebration of their 70th anniversary
Anyone with a connection to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is being invited to celebrate the charity's 70th anniversary by sharing their fondest DofE memories.
READ MORE
Silverburn expands leisure offering with new Pilates studio
Silverburn guests can kick-start their 2026 wellness journey with the arrival of the first Haus of Pilates studio.
READ MORE
Dry or Try January: Flight Club is your go to January social spot
Whether you're ditching the booze and going dry for a month or embracing Try January with the goal of experiencing new things, Flight Club, ticks all the boxes!
READ MORE
Christmas has come early! Glasgow youngster wins the entire DreamToys list in national competition
One very lucky youngster from Glasgow has been crowned the winner of an incredible festive giveaway – taking home all 15 toys featured on this year's coveted DreamToys list.
READ MORE
Christmas has arrived in Glasgow, The IRN BRU Carnival returns for its 106th year
Europe's largest indoor fun fair, The IRN-BRU Carnival, has opened to the public at Glasgow's SEC with its greatest show to date!
READ MORE
The River Inn launches dream wedding reception giveaway worth thousands
One lucky couple to win a luxury wedding reception for up to 100 guests... completely free!
READ MORE
Christmas Carol Goes Wrong crashes into the Kings Theatre Glasgow
Multi-award winning company Mischief return to the King's Theatre Glasgow with their new stage show – Christmas Carol Goes Wrong!
READ MORE
Christmas drawing by 11 year old Glasgow schoolgirl lights up the city
An 11-year-old Glasgow schoolgirl has seen her Christmas drawing light up the city after it was transformed into a glowing display as part of this year’s festive light trail.
READ MORE
Scottish Doctor Who actor to lead The Woman in Black at the Theatre Royal Glasgow
PW Productions is delighted to announce casting for Susan Hill's The Woman in Black, as it returns to the Theatre Royal Glasgow.
READ MORE
Scottish dancer to appear in The Red Shoes in first tour stop in Glasgow
The King's Theatre, Glasgow is delighted to reveal the full cast and tour dates for Matthew Bourne's double Olivier award-winning, smash hit production of The Red Shoes.
READ MORE
Braehead Shopping Centre is your place for festive fashion, food and fun this Christmas
Christmas is in full swing at Braehead Shopping Centre, and Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination is once again the place to celebrate the magic of the festive season!
READ MORE
Solasta Residence supports Beatson Cancer Charity through festive giving tree initiative
Solasta Residence in Glasgow has launched its first Giving Tree in support of Beatson Cancer Charity.
READ MORE
The Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow unveils exciting new programme for 2026
The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow is set to light up 2026 with a thrilling year of music, theatre and comedy.
READ MORE
Wingstop UKI opens its doors at Silverburn
Leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, has turned up the heat on its dining line-up with the official opening of Wingstop UKI, bringing even more flavour and choice to guests.
READ MORE
90s pop icon joins the cast of Mean Girls
Faye Tozer to star alongside Kiara Dario as Gretchen Wieners in the award-winning musical Mean Girls, coming to the King's Theatre in Glasgow from Monday 29th June!
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events launches The DF Academy
DF Concerts launches the DF Academy to strengthen pathways between education and Scotland's live music & events industry.
READ MORE
Dr Gillian Shirreffs launches the 12 Days of Christmas with new book Elephant
Dr Gillian Shirreffs launches the 12 Days of Christmas with Beatson Cancer Charity this month.
READ MORE
Popular lifestyle brand Oliver Bonas opens at Silverburn
Silverburn, Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, has welcomed much-loved independent fashion, jewellery and homewares retailer Oliver Bonas.
READ MORE
Win your way to the IRN BRU Carnival
The Duck Hunt is back bigger and better with over 150 ducks hidden across Glasgow and beyond!
READ MORE
New film on resistance to Home Office raid on Kenmure Street to be released next year
Scottish distributor Conic has acquired all UK and Ireland rights for Everybody to Kenmure Street, a new documentary about Glasgow's community resistance to a Home Office raid in 2021.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links