WESTBURY’s sailing centre is set to reopen after arson and burglary back in April resulted in over £100,000 worth of damage.
The West Wilts Youth Sailing Association (WWYSA) in Station Road, Westbury, will open again to the public on Monday 4th August with a special open day on Saturday 6th September.
Children and young people who use the centre, which is run entirely by volunteers, were shocked and saddened by the devastation caused by the arson attack. However, there has since been a determined effort to raise funds and re-build the centre.
Earlier this month the year 6 children at Dilton Marsh Primary School raised £490 for the West Wilts Youth Sailing Association by taking part in a sponsored walk/run/jog/skip or dance. Nick Cross and the sailing club have been taking the year 6 children sailing for over 25 years, but was unable to take place this year following the centre’s closure. The children at Dilton Marsh School wanted to return this support and so organised a sponsored event to help contribute towards the rebuilding of the sailing club.
Nick Cross, who is senior instructor and principal of the West Wilts Youth Sailing Association, said, “The children have very kindly raised this money for us and it’s absolutely brilliant that the sailing centre is now set to reopen.”
West Wilts Youth Sailing Association is a charitable trust whose primary aim is to introduce young people between the ages of 8 and 18 to the sport of sailing.
The association started in 1967 and is self financing and run completely by volunteers. They are a Royal Yachting Association recognised teaching centre with a team of RYA qualified instructors.
