A replica longboat made by military veterans will be showcased at the JORVIK Viking Festival in York, highlighting their craftsmanship and mental health support.
York: The “Stormbird” is a 30-foot long replica longboat. It will be displayed in Parliament Street during the JORVIK Viking Festival.
A Viking encampment will also be set up, showcasing traditional woodworking and leatherwork skills.
Over 100 military veterans worked on this project. They built the boat from an oak tree felled on D-Day in 2018.
These veterans learned wood-turning, metalwork, and other skills while crafting the boat. The project is based in Darlington.
Bob Marshall, from The Viking Boat Company, noted that the project helps veterans with their mental health. It requires focus and dedication.
Many volunteer hours went into creating this replica, inspired by a preserved Viking craft found in Denmark in the 1970s.
Marshall, a former Royal Signal Corps member, emphasized that the project is about more than just building a boat. It helps veterans cope with stress and trauma.
The team is finishing the boat, which Vikings used to explore rivers. It will be launched when the weather improves later this year.
Festival-goers can meet the Viking Boat Company team and learn more about this supportive project for veterans.
