Firm launches play galleon
Connor, nine, and Martha, seven, from Colchester, test out the new Tudor galleon pirate ship from Ipswich social enterprise Eco Furniture. - Credit: Archant
A social enterprise has embarked on a new adventure with the launch of a Tudor galleon play boat made out of recycled plastic.
Connor, nine, and Martha, seven, from Colchester, test out the new Tudor galleon pirate ship from Ipswich social enterprise Eco Furniture. - Credit: Archant
The 30ft long vessel, created by Ipswich-based Eco Furniture, is made solely from recycled plastics, including thousands of plastic bottles, plastic bags, and other plastics such as CD cases which would have otherwise been destined for a landfill site.
The firm, part of award-winning social enterprise Realise Futures, makes outdoor furniture for parks and public spaces, and customers include Colchester Zoo and Jimmy’s Farm.
The square-rigged gallon, built at its factory in The Drift, Ipswich, comes complete with separate decks which will take up to 30 children. It can be built in two sizes, with flags and an access ramp for wheelchairs or buggies.
Eco Furniture business development manager Kieron Lingard said: “We have made boats as play equipment for schools before - including the Saxon long boat at Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, for the National Trust visitors’ centre playground.
“As our long boat has been so successful, we thought we’d embark on something more adventurous and a Tudor galleon is perfect for children to play in and learn all about the explorers. It’s a way of bringing history to life.”
All of Eco Furniture’s products are weather-proof and never need maintenance.
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Realise Futures specialises in helping people who are disabled and disadvantaged. It is a specialist provider of employment support services, learning and development and the largest provider of careers advice services in the East of England.
