Westbury welcomed a royal visitor this month as HRH The Princess Royal visited the West Wilts Youth Sailing Association to celebrate the club’s 58th anniversary and mark the transfer of ownership of the lake to the group.
The visit took place on Friday 17th January, with Princess Anne meeting the association’s leaders, volunteers and patrons. She toured the sailing club, watched a demonstration by youth instructors and took a close look at the club’s motorboat.
One of the highlights of the visit was Matravers pupil Rebekah Slarke, WO1 RSM from Matravers Combined Cadet Force, giving a salute to the Princess upon her arrival. Rebekah said, “It was an absolute honour to meet Her Royal Highness, especially coming from Westbury – it’s a place where things like this don’t usually happen. It was a real privilege to represent my school and my contingent at an event like this.”
Rebekah also spoke with Princess Anne, who enquired about her role in the cadets. “She asked me about my school and my time in the cadets, and it was a real honour to have that conversation,” Rebekah added.
The event was attended by local dignitaries, including Westbury’s Mayor Jane Russ, local MP Andrew Murrison, the High Sheriff of Wiltshire Dr Olivia Chapple and pupils from Dilton Marsh Primary School.
The West Wilts Youth Sailing Association, a charitable trust based at the lake near Station Approach, aims to introduce young people aged 8 to 18 to the sport of sailing.
In her address, the Princess Royal praised the club, saying, “Thank you for your efforts, for rising to the challenge and with determination to maintain the sailing that has been here over the years and to make sure that it has a firm future and for all of those who have been part of that.”
She added, “My congratulations and my thanks to all the volunteers. It’s an unusual piece of water in an unusual part of the country, so to do what you have been doing so long, so well, and to be able to look forward with such certainty must be a real bonus for everybody.”
Commodore Juley Simmons highlighted the significance of the lake’s transfer to the sailing association from Linden Waites (Westbury) Ltd, saying, “It’s important because we have a beautiful, self-funded clubhouse, and we maintain the lake for our sailing boats. Without this, we wouldn’t have a lake to sail on. It’s vital for the community and for young people growing up.”
Juley also spoke of the club’s achievements, including fostering talent that has competed in prestigious sailing events such as the America’s Cup and worked with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). “They start on this little lake at 8 years old and finish about 18, but they still come back as adults,” she said.
“Having Her Royal Highness here is the pinnacle of the club’s 58-year history – it’s truly a high point for everyone involved,” Juley added.
Below: HRH The Princess Royal being welcomed by students from Bratton Primary School
Below: HRH The Princess Royal being welcomed by local dignitaries including Mayor Jane Russ and local MP Andrew Murrison
Below: HRH The Princess Royal with Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire Dame Sarah Troughton and Rebekah Slarke who is a Lord Lieutenant Cadet and a Cadet Company Sergeant Major from Matravers School Combined Cadet Force
Below: HRH The Princess Royal unveiling a plaque which marks her visit.
Below: Members of the WWYSA providing a demonstration to HRH The Princess Royal
Below: Commodore of WWYSA Juley Simmons escorting HRH The Princess Royal
