THE West Wilts Youth Sailing Association has celebrated another successful and busy year with the presentation of trophies at its AGM.
The association reports, “Our four sailing nights have been well attended both by junior members and instructors and helpers and there is a growing waiting list.
“In order to encourage our young members to widen their sailing abilities various activities were organised, starting with the Commodore’s sailing and camping weekend at Roadford which again proved popular and most enjoyable. The trip to the Mount Batten water sports activity centre in October gave our young sailors the opportunity to sail on the sea and improve their skills and to race for Association trophies.
“At the end of the season 10 members spent a weekend sailing on the John Laing, a 70’ sail training ketch in Yarmouth.
“Once again this year we hosted a ’Bring your Parent Sailing’ day and we combined this with a Sail4Cancer – Cake by the Lake event, which was well supported and raised £180 for the charity.
“Our links with the community remain strong and Paxcroft School and Dilton Marsh Juniors had taster sessions on the lake. Dauntsey’s School also used the lake.
“The main focus this year has been on the Olympics. We organised sessions to find out about the classes of boats and the teams that would be competing. In April we arranged a trip to Weymouth and Portland for 77 sailors to have a look round the Olympic venue and have a day’s sailing – it was an exciting day out.
“As part of the Olympic celebrations we welcomed a replica of the 1948 Olympic torch to our lake. The torch was passed from member to member in a relay to the lake and the mayor of Westbury, cllr Sue Ezra also took part.
“In June we held our own Olympic Regatta which was well supported, good weather, good food and good racing making it a great occasion.
“Our thanks go to all our volunteers who give freely of their time and support the Association throughout the year.”
Association trophies were presented to: Leah Fielder, Samuel Plested, Jordan Lee, Claire Thomas, William Abbott, Jacob Case, James Ellis, William Ellis, Emma Mortimer, Madeline Sinclair, Lorna and Thea Mudie, and Robert Bunce.
Racing trophies were presented to William Ellis, William Abbott, Sophie Ellis, James Ellis, Louis McBride, Lorna Mudie, Madeline Sinclair, Ross Windell, Sophie Ellis, Edward Abbott, Jack Osborne, and Ross Windell.
