TWO years ago to the day, sea adventurer Simon Chalk announced an exciting new era for Teignmouth's maritime history with the launch of The Spirit of Teignmouth project. This week, the dream lies in ruins. The building of the 68ft world-class trimaran was to be a unique community project to inspire adventure in all that came into contact with it. It would be no mean feat. Following in the footsteps of Sir Chay Blyth and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston was going to take courage and determination. And Mr Chalk, the first Briton and youngest person ever to row solo across the Indian Ocean, has shown that in the face of adversity even before the boat hit the water. Last September amid heated debate, Teignbridge planners agreed to allow the visitor centre to be built on The Den, with a security bond of £50,000. It was a controversial decision and one that has dogged the project ever since. Mayor Cllr Geoff Bladon joined Mr Chalk as the first turf was cut and the opening ceremony announced for November 12. But bad weather pushed the date back to December and again to March this year, though the public was treated to a preview over Christmas. Initially, the boat build was to be moved off the Den by August, but a lack of supplies and an overrun in the visitor centre construction forced a re-think. And the mud-slinging resumed. Desperate to get the boat seaworthy, Mr Chalk applied for an extension to the planning permission until June 2007 and later revised until February next year. The SOS campaign was launched and hundreds of visitors signed to save the project. No one wanted to see the boat being taken from Teignmouth by road. It was supposed to be a project that would put Teignmouth on the map. A public meeting held by Mr Chalk to allay fears attracted rallying cries of sail on, but also accusations of financial instability and poor management. But this time Cllr Bladon shouted that enough was enough. He withdrew his support while town councillors Mary Strudwick and Sylvia Russell publicly pledged theirs by volunteering at the centre. Then the next stage was planned, a two-year stint in Torquay, an idea of a floating pontoon in the harbour and a launch of the trimaran in style. This new turn of events was not part of the plan. He was determined to the end, but only time will tell if Simon Chalk ever gets the wind back in his sails.
