On Thursday 18th August 2011, RIBI President Ray Burman and wife Rotarian Victoria Burman, District 1070 Governor Linda May and her husband Past District Governor, Roger May, together with Rotarians from twenty Rotary Clubs and six other Sailability Clubs, more that sixty guests in total, visited Rutland Sailability to see Disabled sailors in action at Rutland Sailing Club. The Rotary/Sailability Collaboration project was truly visible that day.
Despite the wet weather, guests toured the clubs facilities and fleet of boats and some even took to the water.
The presentation of a cheque for new two boat Challenger Trimaran Road Trailer for the Rutland Sailability racing Team from The Rotary Club of Stamford supported by a District 1070 Grant was made and The Rotary Club of Lutterworth Wycliffe presented a cheque for the annual maintenance of its sponsored Access Boat, Penny. Past President of the Rotary Club of Holbeach, Fred Yarwood was thanked for all his hard work for the Club and presented with a momento of his time as a volunteer at Rutland Sailability. Fred is leaving to move to Yorkshire.
The photograph shows the Rotary Club of Lutterworth Wycliffe boat, 'Penny', shadowed by a much larger rescue boat. (Click to Enlarge)
"Welcome Boost to Rutland Sailability Funds from The Rotary Club of Grantham Kesteven
David and Maureen Walker from Rutland Sailability were delighted to receive a cheque for £1,100 pounds from The Rotary Club of Grantham Kesteven's President Elect Marion Strange at their Cheque presentation evening held on the 17th November 2010; from some of the proceeds of their successful Golf Day.
The money is a very welcome boost to Rutland Sailability funds as the Club embarks on itsprogram of winter maintenance to prepare the boats for next years Disabled Sailing Program. Rotary in District 1070 is a strong supporter of Sailability with several boats at Rutland Water and others at Grafham near Huntingdon.
Phil Ashton, Rutland Sailability - Service Club contact
Rutland Sailability is awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service
Rutland Sailability sets out to allow people with disabilities to expand their horizons and to enjoy the freedom which sailing offers in a life where many freedoms have been removed. We often celebrate the achievements of our disabled members, but very rarely do the people who make all this happen receive proper recognition for all that they do. Without them Rutland Sailability would not be able to operate.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises the unsung and unstinting work that is done by our volunteers including Rotarians from District 1070 and beyond, we congratulate them and thank them for everything they do. This Award is duly deserved.
President of Rotary In Britain & Ireland visits Peterborough Sailability.
On what was obviously a cold and snowy day, David Fowler, President of Rotary in Britain and Ireland recently visited the Sailability Centre at Peterborough thanks to the kind hospitality of the Rotary Club of Peterborough Ortons. The visit gave him a good opportunity to try out his sailing skills and to appreciate both the difficulties and delights that sailing brings to those in our society who are less able-bodied.
Photograph by Iain Vernon.
Tortola, Virgin Islands. Rotarian Geoff Holt becomes the first quadriplegic to sail the North Atlantic Ocean single handed.
Rotary 1070 District Governor, 2009/10, Dick Parsley, Visits Rutland Sailability Supporters Day
The District Governor Dick Parsley, along with Rotarians from other clubs, visited Rutland Sailability Supporters Day and reviewed the equipment and activities provided for disabled sailors with the generous help and support of Rotary Clubs and their members in District 1070 and beyond.
Picture 1:
Seen here with Brian McCandless, the Sailability member in charge of the Supporters Day. the DG looks over the Drascombe Long Boat, “Wally Goldsmith” sponsored by The Rotary Club of Oundle.
Picture 2:
With the Challenger “Celebration” sponsored the Rotary Club of Stamford St Martins.
The DG learned that next Year Rutland Sailability will host the Access World Championships for disabled sailors 6 -11 June and the Sailability Multiclass Regatta 13-15 August at Rutland Water, where there will be opportunities for not just local but overseas Rotary Clubs and their members to get involved.
Phil Ashton
Rutland Sailability – Rotary Contact
Web address:- www.rutland-sailability.org For more pictures of the day’s events
rotary and sailability partnerships go international
A recent series of events with Rotary and “Rutland Sailabiity” culminating in Sailability Boats with disabled sailors presenting their skills at the Rotary International Convention at the NEC Birmingham demonstrates the growing strength of the Rotary & Sailability Partnership.
Alan Gray, Rotary Club of Stamford Burghley, with his Club’s sponsored boat and members of ‘Rutland Sailability’.
“Rutland Sailability” boats sponsored by the Rotary and Round Table Clubs of Stamford were demonstrated in the beautiful surroundings of Burghley House, by kind permission of Mrs. Miranda Rock. One summers evening over 100 invited guests attended and enjoyed a tour of the house. The event was staged to promote the “Friends of Rutland Sailability” programme. To encourage our guests to become Friends of Rutland Sailability and participate in our endeavors to give the freedom of sailing to our disabled members.
At another recent event the second Safety Boat “Geoff Holmes” was launched by the members of the Rotary Club of Sleaford. With the growing numbers of boats in the “Rutland Sailability” Fleets a second safety boat was required and Sleaford members stepped up to the mark and donated a new boat in memory of a former member.
President of Sleaford Rotary Club Stephen Bath with club members and the Chairman of Rutland Sailability Tricia McNair launching the boat.
Immediate past President of Stamford Rotary Club Mike Warrington, new President Peter Day with club members and the Chairman of ‘Rutland Sailability’ Tricia McNair handing over the trailer.
A further event saw the hand-over of a new 3 Boat trailer donated by the Rotary Club of Stamford in memory of Mr N.A. Pledger. This enables the ”Rutland Sailability” Access Racing Team to take three boats with one vehicle to away race meetings.
“Rutland Sailability” boats and members demonstrated their skills on the Pendigo Lake at the NEC Birmingham during the 100th Rotary International Convention held there in June. Thousands of International Rotary visitors were able to see the benefits, disabled people, young and old obtain from Sailability Clubs. Of which there are many both in the UK and Internationally.
Boats sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Blaby and Lutterworth Wycliffe in action on the lake at the NEC. Birmingham during the International Convention.
“Rutland Sailability”boats from the Stamford Rotary Clubs at the International Hosting event. Part of the 100th Rotary International Convention.
Finally ”Rutland Sailability” Boats were also on display at an event organized by the Rotary Club of Melton Mowbray and nine other Rotary Clubs as part of the Rotary International Convention International Hosting event at Whitwell on Rutland Water. Over 300 local Rotarians and 100 international Rotarian visitors enjoyed an evening of international fellowship in the beautiful setting of Rutand Water.
Where again the Rotary & Sailability Partnership was extended both locally and internationally with enquiries and much swapping of contact details from as far a field as USA, Canada, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Loughborough UK.
“Rutland Sailability” is pleased to partner with Rotary Clubs and thank them for all their support.
A Total of 17 Rotary Clubs from District 1070 sponsor and maintain the Boat Fleet (both sailing boats and safety boats) at “Rutland Sailability”. Rotary members are invited to come to see “Rutland Sailability” in action at Rutland Water at any time.
