Sailing at Bosham secured for future generations
by Bob Murray 11 Feb 2020 15:18 GMT
Dinghy sailing at Bosham © BSC
Sailing at the oldest club on Chichester Harbour in West Sussex is guaranteed for future generations after Bosham Sailing Club members raised more than £1 million to buy their iconic Old Mill clubhouse on Bosham Quay.
The purchase comes eight months after Bosham made national headlines when the historic Manor of Bosham - comprising not just the Old Mill but also the Quay, the dinghy park, moorings and miles of Chichester Harbour foreshore - were put up for sale for the first time since 1924. There were fears that an overseas investor might snap up Bosham as a "trophy" purchase.
Bosham Sailing Club Commodore Frank McCormack called the response from club members an "incredible outcome" that has resulted in the club owning its clubhouse for the first time in its 113-year history.
"We have been able to take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy our clubhouse thanks to the incredible generosity of members and the huge support of the new Lord of the Manor," said Frank McCormack.
The purchase was part of a larger transaction by local resident and sailing club member Franck Petitgas, whose stated intention was to assure the sailing club's future in keeping with the nature and heritage of Bosham.
Bosham Sailing Club is an RYA Training Centre and British Youth Sailing Recognised Club and well known among dinghy racers for its classic dayboat fleet, celebrated each year with the Classic Boat Revival.