Sailing club has wind behind them on golden anniversary

Sep 8 2008 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

JUST PLAIN SAILING

SAILORS took to the water to celebrate the golden anniversary of the Huddersfield Sailing Club.

The club marked its 50th year on Saturday with a weekend of events for members, and their families and friends.

Longest serving member Roger Molyneux, 78, was joined by his son Andrew who he introduced to the water in 1961 aged three.

The father and son duo took part in the racing over the weekend and were joined by current and former members.

Roger Molyneux, from Denby Dale, said: “I joined in 1961 because I built a boat and needed somewhere to sail it.

“I lived in Meltham at the time this was the ideal place to come.

“It was something that I could do with the whole family. I brought Andrew along and he has enjoyed it since.

“The thing about sailing is it’s something people of any age can do.”

Committee member Andrew Molyneux added: “I was only three at the time so have been brought up sailing.

“We have more than 70 members now and many of those have been involved with the club for a long time.”

The Huddersfield Sailing Club was founded by a small number of sailing enthusiasts with just 17 boats and changing facilities behind a wall.

The first race took place on Saturday, September 6, 1958, at Boshaw Whams Reservoir in Hade Edge, where they are still based.

In the 50 years since, it has developed into a thriving club of loyal members and 57 boats.

Thankfully for members, the changing wall was replaced with a timber clubhouse which has been extended over the years and now provides modern facilities.

Commodore Simon Tunstall added: “I think everyone is very proud the club is marking its 50th anniversary, especially the founding members.

“We have 12 boats that members can use as we want to encourage sailing as much as we can.

“It is something people of all ages can take part in with their families too.”

The self-sufficient club runs dinghy sailing and races at the Hade Edge club on weekday evenings and at weekends.

During the summer they run family sessions and also compete against other sailing clubs.

The club has a well-respected racing pedigree with past members becoming national and world champions.

To mark the golden anniversary, the club held a fete with games such as welly throwing and apple bobbing.

A commodore’s cocktail reception took place on Saturday night with the members taking to the water on Sunday for the anniversary race and a barbecue.