Please Help Us to Recover
Early in the morning of Monday 11th December 2023 our club was hit with a devasting blow when arsonists burnt our starter's hut and sailing equipment store to the ground. The new decking which had been in place for less than two years and was enjoyed by walkers, bird watchers, fishermen as well as club members was completely destroyed.
In addition to the loss of the building and decking, we also lost all of our sailing, racing and safety equipment including first aid boxes, flags, buoys, anchors, oars, safety bags and the solar powered lighting system. Items of great sentimental value, including the plaque dedicated to Dorothy & Mike Willetts two of our founder members who left a legacy to the club that funded the decking and a bench in memory of Mary & David Harris who ran our training team for many years were also destroyed.
This is just the latest setback to hit our club since it started to return to normal from the lengthy shutdowns that meant that we could not sail for several months. In the last two years we have suffered a vandalism attack that damaged 14 dinghies in our boat park, this was followed by the theft of our safety boat and then the steel doors to our engine store were cut to pieces and both of our engines for our safety boats were stolen.
While the hut and some of the equipment are insured, the decking is not and the insurances excesses mean that we are facing a costly rebuilding bill.
Any help that you can give would be very much appreciated. Please us the button below.
In addition to the loss of the building and decking, we also lost all of our sailing, racing and safety equipment including first aid boxes, flags, buoys, anchors, oars, safety bags and the solar powered lighting system. Items of great sentimental value, including the plaque dedicated to Dorothy & Mike Willetts two of our founder members who left a legacy to the club that funded the decking and a bench in memory of Mary & David Harris who ran our training team for many years were also destroyed.
This is just the latest setback to hit our club since it started to return to normal from the lengthy shutdowns that meant that we could not sail for several months. In the last two years we have suffered a vandalism attack that damaged 14 dinghies in our boat park, this was followed by the theft of our safety boat and then the steel doors to our engine store were cut to pieces and both of our engines for our safety boats were stolen.
While the hut and some of the equipment are insured, the decking is not and the insurances excesses mean that we are facing a costly rebuilding bill.
Any help that you can give would be very much appreciated. Please us the button below.
The fire service damping down what remains of the hut
The hut in use on a busy race day
The final touches being added to the new decking in February 2022
The commemorative Plaque which was destroyed in the fire
14 dinghies (some belonging to the club and some belonging to our members) were vandalised in July 2022