Welsh Harp Sailing Association celebrates grants success

Sailing at Welsh Harp during an RYA Push the Boat Out event © Agata Bartoszcze

Welsh Harp Sailing Association (WHSA) will offer better sailing facilities as a result of a £37,000 grant from Sport England, which provides National Lottery funding through Inspired Facilities, part of its Olympic and Paralympic legacy programme.

The association, comprising BTYC Sailsports, Seahorse, Wembley and North Circular Sailing Clubs, Phoenix Outdoor Centre and London Area Sea Cadets, sails on Welsh Harp Reservoir near Brent Cross, and the grant will be use to replace the clubs' main jetty.

The new jetty will be longer and wider to enable more people and more boats to use it. A modern surface with better grip will make it easier for members with mobility problems to extend their sailing years, and improve access for sailors with disabilities.

Helen Allen, who speaks for RYA Sailability and WHSA sailors with restricted mobility, says: "We will make access safer with fewer trip hazards, more level surface for wheelchairs and more space for the extra volunteers needed to help sailors.

"The new jetty will enable a hoist to be fitted so that members can, if necessary, transfer from a wheelchair into the specially designed keel boats that need to remain afloat in deeper water. Therefore we expect the Sailability section of the clubs to expand."

Julia Touloumbadjian, Chairman of WHSA adds: "All our members are delighted at the news that Welsh Harp is to receive a Sport England grant to help us improve our facilities.

"The grant will help not just to improve the infrastructure, but will boost the morale of the membership to keep working for a busy and brighter future".

Steve Mitchell, RYA Sailing Development Officer for Thames Valley and London, says: "Clubs on the Welsh Harp have worked closely with the RYA for a number of years with many of the clubs benefiting from RYA coaching support, and in recent years the majority of clubs, including Sea Cadets, have been successful with Sport England Small Grant funds of up to £10,000. The jetty issue was identified during a meeting with Brian Jeffries, Commodore at BTYC in 2012, who then took ownership of the grant application.

"Most clubs in WHSA are RYA recognised training centres and offer regular programmes to suit all abilities. All the clubs welcome new members and offer open days and beginner taster sessions throughout the year.

"London University and Imperial College Sailing Clubs also use the WHSA facilities. In the past 12 months the RYA has worked with both of these universities to support participation. The new jetty will help to expand their programme of winter team racing training and learn to sail activities.

"The success of this funding and the addition of the much needed jetty will benefit the many user groups of the Welsh Harp and leave a lasting legacy to support the growth of sailing on the Welsh Harp."

Sean Lindsall, Commodore of Imperial College Sailing Club, says: "We are looking forward to growth of team racing at the lake, especially being able to launch and recover the fleet of Firefly class boats without hindering other groups of sailors on Saturdays."

Jon Russell, Manager/ Principal Sea Cadets Welsh Harp Boat Station adds: "The Sea Cadet Welsh Harp Boat Station is thrilled by the news of the successful Sport England Inspired Facilities Grant for a new jetty. The new jetty will be an invaluable addition to the site and it will enable easy and safe access to the water.

"The Sea Cadets offer a wide range of water sport activities including sailing, windsurfing, rowing, powerboat training and paddlesport just to mention a few. The new jetty will enhance the on water experience that we offer to our cadets".

Mathew Offord, MP for Hendon, says of the award: "I am delighted that Sport England has made this investment to WHSA and the Welsh Harp. The installation of a wider jetty will enable people with disabilities to experience the excitement and freedom of sailing by allowing increased access to the sport. The award is a huge legacy that will be much valued and used."

Sport England provides National Lottery funding through Inspired Facilities, part of its Olympic and Paralympic legacy programme, which to date has supported some 1300 local sports projects; a further £40m is set to be distributed over the next three years.

For more information on how the RYA can help with sailing and boating club development, including finding funding, visit www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/clubsclass/development/Pages/default.aspx

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