Frensham Pond Sailing Club Prize Giving
by Jim Morley 28 Dec 2010 22:50 PST
Ian Johnson(right), former club treasurer and Enterprise sailor, with his family receiving the cheque for Leukaemia Research during the Frensham Pond Sailing Club prize giving © Jim Morley
Members of Frensham Pond Sailing Club have had to adjust to their water becoming an ice rink, so no sailing for over a month and prospects still doubtful.
Members’ depression did not survive the annual summer prize giving in the completely refurbished club house. New décor, new lighting and comfortable seating and above all a new heating system. Seasonal mulled wine and minced pies banished all thoughts of the icy outside world.
High point of the prize giving was the presentation of a cheque to Leukaemia Research. The £7,500 was the total proceeds of the June Ten Hour Race the club’s annual charity event. There was an added poignancy to this presentation as the cheque was received on behalf of the charity by Frensham sailor Ian Johnson and his family. Ian, Frensham’s former treasurer, lost a son to cancer and members have been very mindful of this.
This has been a special year for Frensham - members have taken twelve national dinghy titles. Outstanding helms have been Nick Craig and Roger Gilbert as well as Cadet champions Andrew Smith and Rory Burdock. The Sailability Access sailors also retained the Ben Ainslie Traveller’s Trophy for the fourth time and Frensham provided the winning crew in the Round the Island Race.
Club Commodore Judith Young thanked everyone concerned for a wonderful year and wished all well for a great season in 2011.