Brian Heron passes away

Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club regrets to announce the death of Brian Heron, after a short illness. Recently passing his 83rd birthday, Brian had been one of the founding members of the Club 70 years ago (though as a youngster this was not officially recognised). Taken up as a crew, he quickly became skilled and able to tell others how to race better, as the Club adopted Fireflys as a racing fleet. He soon took to the helm. On going up to Cambridge (St Catherine's), to read mathematics as an exhibitioner, he showed how good he was by winning the Gosnell Cup of the Cambridge University Cruising Club in 1952. He went on to become Rear Commodore of the Club for 1953/54, succeeded by Jack Knights. On return to Rochdale, he was taken on as a management trainee at the local Turner Bros. subsidiary of the Turner & Newall Group. He rose to become Chief Executive there in due course.

Meanwhile, Brian competed at a high level in the Firefly Class, becoming Class Chairman and winning the National Championship 4 times and the Sir Ralph Gore Cup 3 times, in the days when 200 boats competed. Perhaps his studies in mathematics meant that he was good at team racing too. He was captain of Hollingworth Lake's winning team at the Wilson Trophy in 1967 and 1968 (they were also runners up in 1969). Also he was a triallist for the 1960 Olympic Games in a Flying Dutchman.

As an active club member, Brian was an early Sailing Secretary, later Commodore and Treasurer, subsequently becoming a Vice President and Club Trustee. When the Club's Firefly fleet diminished, Brian turned firstly to Merlin Rockets where, on home waters, he was a strong contender winning the Felucca Trophy. Later he tried his hand in a GP14 where he was a tough competitor and not easily beaten. When on the water activity was no longer feasible, he continued to play a part as a race recorder and one who would keep duty teams in order. In retirement from Turners, he had a distinguished career which included Chairmanship of the local NHS Hospital Trust and later Pro-Chancellorship of University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology from 1990 to 1996 and then Lancaster University 1997 to 2003.