Veterans build Viking boat to boost mental health

Veterans have built a 30ft (9m) replica Viking longboat in a long-running project to boost their mental health.

More than 100 former servicemen and women have helped to construct Stormbird at a workshop in Darlington.

It was made from an oak tree which was felled in 2018 on the anniversary of D-Day.

Bob Marshall, chief executive of The Viking Boat Company, said: "It's about helping people to cope with the stress and trauma they have been through and putting it into a perspective that they can manage."

Hundreds of volunteer hours have been spent since 2021 crafting the wood to make the replica, which is based on a real, preserved Viking longboat which was recovered in Denmark in the 1970s.

Those taking part have learnt the traditional skills of woodturning, as well as metalwork and creating other decorations

Mr Marshall, who formerly served in the Royal Signal Corps, said the time and concentration required from veterans helped to develop coping strategies to counter the effects of PTSD, anxiety and stress.

"The boat is a wonderful thing and it's a beautiful piece of woodwork," he added.

The team is putting the finishing touches on the boat - which would have been used by Vikings to explore rivers - and it will be put on the water when weather conditions improve later this year.

Before that, it will be on display at the Jorvik Viking Festival in York between February 17 and 22, where it can be seen in Parliament Street.

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