'All change please!' for York Sailing Club
by Hugh Brazier 12 May 2022 06:44 BST
Sailing at York Sailing Club © Mike Craggs
The city of York is famous for its Minster, it medieval streets, its city walls, its two universities... and as a railway city. It played a big part in the railway revolution of the nineteenth century, and today it is a major hub on the East Coast main line and the location of the National Railway Museum.
But what about sailing? York is far from the sea, and there are no large lakes within easy reach, so it's fair to say that York is not the most obvious place in Britain to sail.
Surprisingly, however, there is a lively sailing club on the River Ouse just outside the city with a connection to the railways. And now it has a new identity, and a new name - York Sailing Club.
The club was founded in 1957 as British Transport Yacht Club (York Division), and later became York Railway Institute Sailing Club. The club has been active ever since, with a full programme of dinghy racing and cruising on the river.
But now, in spring 2022, the association with the railway has terminated, and it's a case of 'all change please!' After many decades of happy association with York Railway Institute (or York RI, as it became a few years ago), the club has disembarked from the train and has sailed off on its own as a newly established independent organisation called simply York Sailing Club.
This change of tack will mean some differences in the way the club is managed, but there will be few changes on the ground, or on the water, apart from a new sign above the door. York Sailing Club will continue to be a family-friendly club, offering sailing and other water-based activities to anyone in the York area, or indeed from further afield. The club remains an RYA training centre, and will continue to introduce people to the sport of sailing by means of its regular RYA training courses.
Steve Parry, Commodore of York SC, comments: "Anyone who fancies the challenges of river sailing is welcome to come and visit us, or indeed to join the club. We welcome experienced sailors and beginners alike."
York Sailing Club is registered with the Charity Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), registration number 1196943.
For further information, visit yorksailingclub.org.uk