Author Archives: Hilary Talbot
50th Anniversary 9-hour race
There were some epic performances in the 50th anniversary nine hour race yesterday. The wind varied from mainly around 20 knots, gusting to 30 and dropping to 6-8 for s short while, but it stayed mainly dry, apart from one vicious squall. Thirteen teams took part, and overall winners were the Flying 15 team of […]
A Right Royal Visit
On Wednesday, May 25th, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh visited Grafham Water to open the new reservoir, designed to provide increased capacity for treated water from the main reservoir. The ceremony also marked the 50th anniversary of the opening of the main reservoir and Grafham Water Sailing Club was represented at both events (in one or […]
Formal Club Opening
Arrival of the Duke of Edinburgh: note the brass hat and the obligatory hands clasped behind posteriors! Opening of the Sailing Club. Left foreground: Freddie Baker (Commodore); Uffa Fox next to the Duke of Edinburgh. Keep smiling past the queues of dignitaries! Is that really our external staircase? I guess the Fifteens will just have to wait […]
Grafham Water Sailing Club: 50-Years Young
This summer, on July 2nd, we’re celebrating the club’s golden anniversary. Planned events include a 9-hour race, details of which (and other likely festivities) will be announced shortly. Meanwhile, we’re compiling a photo album to reflect some of the more memorable happenings over the past 50 years. To kick-start this process, we’ve tracked down a promotional […]
40th Anniversary – 2006
Anglian Water marked the occasion with a photo-opportunity in Marlow Park, to which representatives of the various lake users (including the sailing club) were invited. Hilary Talbot (Vice Commodore – 4th from left), Heather Dance (Club Manager – 7th from left) and Simon Dabson (Commodore – 9th from left). Ken Saxton (father of the present Commodore) […]
1990 – 2000
1990 marked my arrival from the tidal waters of the Menai Straits. Nice to be deluged with fresh water – but I had to learn all about wind shifts (more or less irrelevant in North Wales!) I joined a very active Enterprise fleet – we had our own Sunday start: other numerous one-design classes included […]
Prelude to ’66 – Birth of a Sailing Club
Grafham Water Sailing Club came about partly as a result of unprecedented interest amongst the sailing community in exploiting this new expanse of water and partly because the Water Authority was itself committed to realizing the reservoir’s recreational potential. The Water Authority planned to construct a purpose-built club house with all the sailing facilities and equipment […]