Getting schooled
I am afraid that I am writing to take strong exception to your article ‘From inner city to offshore’ in the February issue of YM. You say that the Greig City Academy is the first state school team to compete in the Fastnet Race. This is not true. In 2009, a team of 20 5th and 6th-formers from Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury completed the race in a Farr 65 called Spirit of Minerva. Funding was raised entirely by the pupils via their own efforts. The students, and their inspirational teacher Terry Gilmour, are badly served by being thus forgotten, and I would be grateful if you would correct the error. Kevin Mcbride, race doctor
Jon Holt, Greig City Acadaemy sailing, replies:
I know Terry from Bishop Wordsworth, he is a very good bloke. As pointed out, the first school was actually Dauntsey school on Jolie Brise. Bishop Wordsworth the first selective state school and Greig City therefore the first comprehensive. The big difference is that Dauntsey and Greig City have their own boat.