Bolton Sailing Club Regatta Day 2018
by Leanne Pilkington 20 Jun 2018 15:23 BST
17 June 2018
Jeff Hartley, President of Bolton Lions, Mrs Pam Laithwaite and other members of the Laithwaite family launched the new Sailability access boat during the Bolton Sailing Club Regatta Day 2018 © Andrew Craig
Sunday 17th June saw a change in the racing format to help raise money for the RNLI at our annual Regatta Day.
Whilst racing got underway, the Madam Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen, along with members of Bolton Lions and members of the Laithwaite family were entertained in the lounge by the Commodore and many of the clubs senior and life members.
Before the final race of the day Jeff Hartley, President of Bolton Lions, Mrs Pam Laithwaite and other members of the Laithwaite family launched the new Sailability Hansa boat they had kindly donated to the Bolton Sailing Club Sailability group with a cheque for £2,500 from the proceeds of "The Bill Laithwaite Memorial Fund". Bill Laithwaite, a lifelong member of Bolton Lions, sadly passed away last year and his family and Bolton Lions wished to continue his legacy by helping those with disabilities to enjoy sailing at our club. The family also donated a trophy for the first placed Sailability boat, which will be presented annually on Regatta day.
Prizes for the Regatta were presented by the Madam Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen to the following:
1st Supernova - Mike Critchley, winning the RNLI Trophy
1st GP14 - Gary Deighan & Dale Knowles
1st Handicap - Andy & Sue Flitcroft in the Graduate
1st Junior - Matthew Knowles sailing his Tera
Jeff Hartley from Bolton Lions and Pam Laithwaite presented prizes for the Sailabilty race to the following:
1st Sailability - Matthew Daly, winning The Bill Laithwaite Memorial Trophy
2nd Sailability - Hannah Shelmerdine, winning the BSC Sailability Trophy
After the prize giving Tom Ridyard MBE from the RNLI announced that the raffle had raised £100 and £130 from the Regatta entries. This totalled a fantastic £230 for the RNLI.
Hopefully a thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all. With thanks to the OOD, Elizabeth Craig for the delicious catering and all other volunteers.