Please select your home edition
Edition
Vaikobi 2024 December

Welsh Harp Sailing Association celebrates grants success

by Michael Haigh 13 Aug 2013 09:18 BST 13 August 2013
Sailing at Welsh Harp during an RYA Push the Boat Out event © Agata Bartoszcze

Welsh Harp Sailing Association (WHSA) will offer better sailing facilities as a result of a £37,000 grant from Sport England, which provides National Lottery funding through Inspired Facilities, part of its Olympic and Paralympic legacy programme.

The association, comprising BTYC Sailsports, Seahorse, Wembley and North Circular Sailing Clubs, Phoenix Outdoor Centre and London Area Sea Cadets, sails on Welsh Harp Reservoir near Brent Cross, and the grant will be use to replace the clubs' main jetty.

The new jetty will be longer and wider to enable more people and more boats to use it. A modern surface with better grip will make it easier for members with mobility problems to extend their sailing years, and improve access for sailors with disabilities.

Helen Allen, who speaks for RYA Sailability and WHSA sailors with restricted mobility, says: "We will make access safer with fewer trip hazards, more level surface for wheelchairs and more space for the extra volunteers needed to help sailors.

"The new jetty will enable a hoist to be fitted so that members can, if necessary, transfer from a wheelchair into the specially designed keel boats that need to remain afloat in deeper water. Therefore we expect the Sailability section of the clubs to expand."

Julia Touloumbadjian, Chairman of WHSA adds: "All our members are delighted at the news that Welsh Harp is to receive a Sport England grant to help us improve our facilities.

"The grant will help not just to improve the infrastructure, but will boost the morale of the membership to keep working for a busy and brighter future".

Steve Mitchell, RYA Sailing Development Officer for Thames Valley and London, says: "Clubs on the Welsh Harp have worked closely with the RYA for a number of years with many of the clubs benefiting from RYA coaching support, and in recent years the majority of clubs, including Sea Cadets, have been successful with Sport England Small Grant funds of up to £10,000. The jetty issue was identified during a meeting with Brian Jeffries, Commodore at BTYC in 2012, who then took ownership of the grant application.

"Most clubs in WHSA are RYA recognised training centres and offer regular programmes to suit all abilities. All the clubs welcome new members and offer open days and beginner taster sessions throughout the year.

"London University and Imperial College Sailing Clubs also use the WHSA facilities. In the past 12 months the RYA has worked with both of these universities to support participation. The new jetty will help to expand their programme of winter team racing training and learn to sail activities.

"The success of this funding and the addition of the much needed jetty will benefit the many user groups of the Welsh Harp and leave a lasting legacy to support the growth of sailing on the Welsh Harp."

Sean Lindsall, Commodore of Imperial College Sailing Club, says: "We are looking forward to growth of team racing at the lake, especially being able to launch and recover the fleet of Firefly class boats without hindering other groups of sailors on Saturdays."

Jon Russell, Manager/ Principal Sea Cadets Welsh Harp Boat Station adds: "The Sea Cadet Welsh Harp Boat Station is thrilled by the news of the successful Sport England Inspired Facilities Grant for a new jetty. The new jetty will be an invaluable addition to the site and it will enable easy and safe access to the water.

"The Sea Cadets offer a wide range of water sport activities including sailing, windsurfing, rowing, powerboat training and paddlesport just to mention a few. The new jetty will enhance the on water experience that we offer to our cadets".

Mathew Offord, MP for Hendon, says of the award: "I am delighted that Sport England has made this investment to WHSA and the Welsh Harp. The installation of a wider jetty will enable people with disabilities to experience the excitement and freedom of sailing by allowing increased access to the sport. The award is a huge legacy that will be much valued and used."

Sport England provides National Lottery funding through Inspired Facilities, part of its Olympic and Paralympic legacy programme, which to date has supported some 1300 local sports projects; a further £40m is set to be distributed over the next three years.

For more information on how the RYA can help with sailing and boating club development, including finding funding, visit www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/clubsclass/development/Pages/default.aspx

Love Boating? Then why not join the association that promotes and protects, safe, successful and rewarding British boating. Join today and support the RYA in protecting your boating rights and freedoms. Take advantage of free advice and support on all aspects of your boating, as well as enjoying a range of fantastic personal member offers. Find out more by calling 0844 556 9556, email or visit www.rya.org.uk

Related Articles

21st Sandberg PalmaVela Day 1
Magic Carpet E wins two from two on her debut The Maxi class officially opened racing today at the 21st Sandberg PalmaVela, completing two W/L races in which the newest elite 100-footer, Magic Carpet E, dominated with two clear victories in what was its first-ever races. Posted today at 6:36 pm
52 SUPER SERIES Saint-Tropez Cup Day 2
Gladiator back on winning form Disappointed to miss out on winning the 2024 circuit title after coming into the last event of the season with a solid points lead, Tony Langley's world champions Gladiator crew started their assault on the 2025 title on the best possible footing. Posted today at 6:26 pm
Northamptonshire Youth Series preview
It's just over a week to go to the first of this year's events It's just over a week to go to the first of this year's events. We're starting off at the beautiful Middle Nene Sailing Club. It really is a spectacular gem of a sailing club tucked alongside the River Nene. Posted today at 6:25 pm
Salcombe Gin Spring Regatta at Parkstone
The fleet waited patiently for wind to arrive The run up to the weekend of the Salcombe Gin Spring Regatta, organised by Parkstone Yacht Club, was not looking promising, with very light winds forecast. The fleet of 14 yachts across 3 classes were greeted with zero wind in Poole Harbour. Posted today at 4:17 pm
Easter Regatta at Netley Sailing Club
The club was buzzing with energy as campers filled the grounds and the refurbished bar opened Netley Sailing Club was buzzing with energy as campers filled the grounds and the refurbished bar for the opening night of the Easter Regatta. Posted today at 3:28 pm
Transat Paprec Day 12
Charlotte Yven & Hugo Dhallenne: "Now, it's all in the mind too!" He checked in mid-morning, and you could hear the joy in his voice — Hugo Dhallenne is doing what he loves most: racing at sea. He's at the front of the fleet in the Transat Paprec and fully enjoying this adventure alongside Charlotte Yven. Posted today at 2:41 pm
Blackwater SC cadet training weekend
Sunshine, sailing and ice-cream for 70 sailors The Blackwater Sailing Club proudly hosted an inspiring, busy and successful Cadet Training Weekend 26-27 April welcoming more than 70 enthusiastic young sailors from aged 8 to 18 for two days of skill-building, fun and adventure on the water. Posted today at 2:39 pm
Brain injury survivor to return to sailing
In support of Headway, the charity which helped him British sailor Robin Elsey-Webb is making a powerful return to offshore racing this year with the launch of Kernow Ocean Racing/ BlackDog Collaboration. Posted today at 1:23 pm
Final call for a long weekend
Place orders today before 15:30 to get delivery in time to go sailing Your time on the water is precious, and the last thing you want is to be kept away from sailing because you're waiting on new kit. In stock orders placed 1 May, before 15:30 with next day delivery will be shipped in time for the bank holiday weekend. Posted today at 12:15 pm
International 14 Easter Tray at Itchenor
Three days of varied conditions as teams prepare for the Prince of Wales Cup in Weymouth The traditional season opener of the 14 calendar is the Easter Tray. Three days of varied conditions saw a total of 14 boats launch. For some this was the first outing since the worlds in Garda, others had been out training for three weekends already. Posted today at 12:07 pm