Diamond Jubilee celebrations at Bolton SC

by Keith Roberts on 29 Jun 2012 Bolton SC celebrated '60 years on the water' over the weekend of 23rd and 24th June 2012. The weekend commenced with handicap invitation sailing racing on the Saturday afternoon. The racing was held in blustery overcast conditions. The event was won by ex-members Neil Platt crewed by 'Chips' Howarth in a GP14 with current members Mark Platt and Stuart Catterall taking second and third places in Supernovas.

On Saturday evening the club hosted a Jubilee Ball in the club house with 110 people attending including Charles Howarth our remaining Founding member. We were treated to a fantastic meal followed by the presentation of the Invitation Trophy to Neil and Chips after which the Commodore said a few words and gave the toast to the club and the next 60 years. Students from Runshaw College than provided the musical entertainment which covered music from the last 60 years and the members danced the night away.

Sunday morning broke grey and damp with shifty F4-5 westerly winds making sailing challenging especially for some members who had really enjoyed themselves the night before! The Regatta day is an annual event which supports the RNLI. The racing commenced at 10am with three races and this year the RNLI trophy was sailed for by the newly formed Supernova fleet.

Senior and retired members of the club were invited to afternoon tea with music being provided by Charnock Brass. As this is the Regatta day the Mayors of Bolton and Blackburn were in attendance to present the prizes and draw the RNLI raffle.

This year the RNLI trophy was won by Stuart Catterall who won by taking first place in the first two races with Junior Peter Makin receiving the RNLI shield.

The event was rounded off with a Fancy dress pursuit race and after one hour on the water in deteriorating conditions the participants were happy to hear the finishing gun.