Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club celebrates 70 years
by Graham Knox 23 Jun 2016 19:24 BST
23 June 2016
HLSC Clubhouse © Graham Knox
Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club prepares to celebrate its 70th Anniversary. Set next to the Pennines, in Littleborough near Rochdale, the Club looks out over its water to the hills which visitors always find a delight.
Prior to the Second World War in 1939, the waters of the Rochdale Canal reservoir known as Hollingworth Lake were considered too dangerous for any sailing craft, though rowing was very popular.
During the war, a local businessman rented a piece of land in the harbour and brought his 12 foot dinghy to sail at weekends. He was later joined by four others. However, by 1946 wider interest arose with the arrival of Lieutenant Commander Berkeley Moir, who wanted to enjoy his recreational time on the water. This was not to be without difficulty as the Rochdale Canal Company had let the water rights in 1939 to a Mr & Mrs Kaye who now lived in South Manchester, but asked local cafe owners to look after any boating. Permission for the widening group of interested sailors to get on the water was not easily obtained as sailing was thought not to be safe. During the summer, increasing rights were gradually obtained so that by August there were 7 boats of various types enjoying time on the Lake, including a couple of Snipes, two 12 foot dinghies and an 18 foot National Dinghy owned by the Moir family.
The summer of 1946 was a wet and windy one (a familiar story!) but this little fleet pottered about on the Lake on Sundays and ended with tea and a chat afterwards. The sight of these people enjoying themselves on the Lake attracted others and so a meeting was called in December to a Hot Pot supper and the suggestion was made that a Sailing Club should be formed and thus the first minuted meeting was held. The meeting also decided to join the Yacht Racing Association (now RYA).
With the Olympic Games of 1948 and sailing at Torbay, the Firefly became available to potential competitors and so the Class was adopted at the Club. Among the earliest sailors was a young Brian Heron (who sadly died earlier this year). As he was considered too young to be a member in his own right, he was never accorded the distinction of Founder Membership. His impact on the Club, due to his quick observation of the best way to sail and race boats, was enormous.
While the Firefly fleet faded over the next 30 years, early adoption of the Merlin Rocket class was, and remains, successful. The Club Open Meeting for the Felucca Trophy in October will celebrate that Class and the Club anniversary. With a record of racing success over many years, the Club is particularly proud of its 2012 Olympic Silver Medallist, Stuart Bithell. The Club has indeed bred many World and National Champions.
The Club is celebrating this anniversary on the first weekend in July with a Kids Pirates Day and Match Racing on the Saturday afternoon followed, in the evening, by a party with music from a trio in the style of a 1940's swing band. Then on the Sunday club racing for the Founders Plate will be held in its traditional format.