Tim Saunders takes the helm at Henley Sailing Club

Outgoing Henley Sailing Club Commodore Helene Hook receiving a gift of flowers and an original painting of the club from new Commodore Tim Saunders © Duncan Mackay

Tim Saunders is the new Commodore of Henley Sailing Club, one of the oldest recreational sailing clubs in the world founded in 1896. Tim took over the helm from Helene Hook, the club’s first ever female Commodore, at the club’s annual general meeting on Saturday 30 January 2010 at Castle Royal Golf Club.

Tim only started sailing when he joined the club 9 years ago and now regularly sails with his son Gus in a vintage National 12 sailing dinghy. He is a professional civil engineer and works in the Reading office of California-based Jacobs. His wife Judy is also involved in the club and organises the busy social events programme throughout the year.

Tim outlined his plans to the members of the club in a speech that looked forwards to the greater use of technology in better communicating the competitive scores of the many sailing cups taking place and in encouraging new participation. In particular there would be discussions with the Royal Yachting Association to provide assistance in training for juniors and improving the skills of current sailors. He looked forward to the enhancement of the club’s facilities during his three year tenure as Commodore but recognised that the club’s fabulous location by the river at Wargrave could hardly be bettered.

In congratulating Helene Hook as outgoing Commodore, Tim thanked her for her handling of a difficult period of wet summers and major refurbishment of the club’s facilities. He was also grateful for the bonus of not only a happy and successful club but one in which a surge of new members had arrived adding to a financial boost that contradicted the recessionary trend.

Helene Hook delivered the final report of her time in office and paid tribute to the support of her hard working Committee, the Club’s ever cheerful membership, the fighting quality of the club’s competitive sailors, and the individual contribution of Theresa May MP in assisting the club in a dispute with Thames Water. Tim Saunders, on behalf of the club, presented Helene with a painting of the club by Richard Conway-Jones, one of its more artistic members.

The AGM also voted for the appointment of the following officers and Committee members to serve during 2010:

Vice Commodore, Stephen Rothery
Rear Commodore, Chris Gent
Rear Commodore, Duncan Mackay
Hon. Treasurer, Alan Cadwallader
Hon. Secretary, Jeff Manning

Committee members:
Charles Bennett
Peta Bowyer
Stephen Gent
Derek Gorman
Helene Hook
Dr Viv Roberts
Judy Saunders
Carol Stitson

See the club website www.henleysailingclub.org for details of how to join in with sailing on the Thames, all club activities and the history of the sailing at Henley and Wargrave from 1896 to present.