Clive Gray – Heritage

Retired Royal Marine Clive Gray is using the past to build better futures for the people of Blyth in Northumberland.

As the CEO and founder of the Blyth Tall Ship project, Clive teaches maritime skills like engineering and shipbuilding to help transform the lives of local people in a town facing high unemployment.

A key part of the organisation’s mission since its launch in 2009 was to restore a 100-year-old tall ship – a project supported by National Lottery funding.

It was a tribute to Blyth’s proud history as a shipbuilding town, and local sailor Captain William Smith’s historic 1819 voyage to the Antarctic on a vessel built locally. “The apprentices are building relationships with male and female volunteers with a lifetime of experience in engineering,” says Clive, 58. “It helps them to mature.” Over 80 per cent go into employment and many go on to further learning. Success stories include a 20-year-old single mum who secured an apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce.

“Winning the National Lottery Heritage Award is a huge boost for the team,” says Clive. “We know we’re changing lives.”