Eastern Region RYA Volunteer Awards

		Terry Angles received an RYA Community Award for Lifetime Achievement, in recognition of his long service and the delivery of quality training in the region. Terry, who has retired to Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk was one of the senior instructors who tested the out the early RYA sailing courses prior to their introduction. He introduced thousands of people of all ages to the sport through the hundreds of instructors he trained as a highly respected coach. He was instrumental in the development and adoption by clubs and training centres of RYA training schemes. He was an instructor with the National Schools Sailing Association and also Suffolk Watersports Association.
	Terry Angles with HRH The Princess Royal

Robert Hancock

Thanks to Robert Hancock, of Great Yarmouth, Horning Sailing Club (HSC) on the Broads has a thriving youth training centre as well as an RYA accredited training centre for adults. In recognition of his outstanding achievement he received an RYA Community Award for Outstanding Contribution. Robert first conceived the idea of attempting to develop an RYA approved training centre at HSC several years ago. Despite daunting obstacles of time, resources, practical help and lack of qualified training skills, he successfully overcome each obstacle and turned the plans into action. He has put together a formidable team, recruited instructors and senior instructors, used the help of parents, purchased dinghies and achieved formal training status. Now in its third year, the youth training centre has attracted a host of new children and parents as club members, thereby turning a rather static keelboat club into a thriving family club.

A third Norfolk recipient, who was unable to attend the ceremony was Mrs Peggy Batchelor, who was also awarded an RYA Community Award for Lifetime Achievement. She has been a lifelong member of Norfolk Broads Yacht Club (NBYC), and has contributed to the management of racing for almost fifty years, rarely missing a weekend throughout the season. Peggy, who lives in Hoveton, near Wroxham has been Senior Timekeeper at NBYC for more than 30 years, working to a remarkable accuracy to 1/100 of minute. Peggy also regularly acts as a flag puller or recorder. Together with her late husband she played a major role in the improvements to and maintenance of the standards of race management at the club.

Robert Hancock

		A third Norfolk recipient, who was unable to attend the ceremony was Mrs Peggy Batchelor, who was also awarded an RYA Community Award for Lifetime Achievement. She has been a lifelong member of Norfolk Broads Yacht Club (NBYC), and has contributed to the management of racing for almost fifty years, rarely missing a weekend throughout the season. Peggy, who lives in Hoveton, near Wroxham has been Senior Timekeeper at NBYC for more than 30 years, working to a remarkable accuracy to 1/100 of minute. Peggy also regularly acts as a flag puller or recorder. Together with her late husband she played a major role in the improvements to and maintenance of the standards of race management at the club.

		Alison and William Sudell live in Felixstowe, and were jointly nominated for an RYA Community Award for Lifetime Achievement by the United Kingdom Cadet Class Association (UKNCCA), of which they are senior members. William is chairman of the International Cadet Committee. Ali and William have been involved with the Cadet Class for the last fourteen years. They joined the International Cadet Committee, which runs the International Cadet Class in 2001. As a couple they have taken holidays to check World Championship venues and pass on information to British and International sailors attending the Championships. They have also helped to organise, open and run the event, often volunteering to do the jobs others wouldn’t.
	Alison & William Suddell

		Waldringfield Sailing Club’s (WSC) chief race officer Michael Oldroyd received an RYA Community Award for Lifetime Achievement for his work in setting up a professional race management organisation at the club. While Mike’s major focus in the past ten years has been on race management he has also been involved throughout his sailing career with sail training of beginners and improvers. His knowledge of the rules and considerable experience of racing dinghies and yachts has allowed him to build up a wealth of knowledge second to none. Mike lives in Ipswich.
	Mike Oldroyd

		West Mersea yachtsman Jim McNaughton (76) was awarded an RYA Community Award for Lifetime Achievement for putting well over 1000 successful candidates through the sailing courses at West Mersea YC. The longevity of Jim’s absolute commitment to sail training is staggering, stretching back over 50 years. Now 76, Jim continues to manage and deliver shore-based courses with an extraordinary energy, knowledge and enthusiasm for all aspects of sailing. He has been made a Life Member of the club in recognition of his services. Jim lives in West Mersea.
	Jim McNaughton

		Bedford dinghy sailor, John Howard is the technical advisor of the Heron Dinghy Class Association, and has been the single major factor in the development and continued success of the organisation. Since his appointment as Technical Advisor twelve years ago he has overseen and helped create design improvements for the Heron dinghy and one of his main accomplishments was a complete rewrite of the Rules and Measurement information. His advice to members has substantially assisted newcomers to the sport by removing the mystery of how to set up and use their boat. More advanced sailors have also lifted their performance by following his advice. John, who lives in Bedford received a Life Achievement Award.
	John Howard

		Robin Gumbrell (70) was awarded an RYA Community Award for Lifetime Achievement for his work with disabled sailors at Grafham Water. A founder of Grafham Water Sailability, the citation said: “without him the club would not be able to offer sailing to nearly forty disabled members and up to seven visiting groups from care homes, schools and day centres. He gives his time without hesitation, spending many hours each week ensuring that the club flourishes in a safe environment.” A much-respected figure throughout the disabled sailing community Robin is also a member of the Challenger Association. Robin lives in Hartford, near Huntingdon.
	Robin Gumbrell

Peter Waghorn

Another Grafham Water sailor, Peter Waghorn (74), was also awarded an RYA Community Award for Lifetime Achievement. Although nominated for the Award by his club, Grafham Water SC, he has a formidable reputation on the national and international front as both competitor and organiser.

Within the club Peter has held all flag officer posts since he joined in 1973, and has steered and presided over huge changes at the club during his time and has been unique in his continued involvement. Even now at the age of 74 he remains a Club Race Officer, an active sailor, a mentor and commentator. During this time he has sailed continuously, initially in the Enterprise fleet and more recently in the Flying Fifteen fleet.

He’s also secretary of the Beds and Cambs Area Association (of sailing clubs) and is a member of the RYA Regional Committee. Peter lives in Welwyn Garden City.

Peter Waghorn

			Two yachtsmen from the same club, Fisher’s Green SC, received honours; Stephen Profitt, from Bishop’s Stortford and Richard Turner, from Enfield, Middlesex, both received RYA Community Awards for Lifetime Achievement. Stephen combines being club captain with being chairman of the UK Cadet Class Association. Although he has only been a member of Fishers Green Sailing Club (FGSC) since 2000, his contribution to the provision of youth sailing at the club has been considerable. He is himself a dinghy sailor of no little merit, but works to ensure that children receive the finest possible grounding in the sport. As Cadet Squadron Captain, he oversaw a considerable increase in the size of the Cadet Squadron and gained the club the elite Volvo Champion Club status. By his efforts, the club now has a Cadet Squadron that sees anything up to 50 children afloat each weekend, either learning the finer points of dinghy sailing on the lake or representing FGSC at open meetings, championships and other events throughout the UK and elsewhere.
	Stephen Profitt	Richard Turner
	Richard Turner has built the FGSC rescue team into a respected and highly regarded unit. He has ensured that all sailors on the water, whether novice or expert, dinghy sailor or windsurfer, cadet or veteran can be confident that, should they get into difficulties while afloat, calm and expert assistance will be at hand. Richard is a powerboat instructor, and he and his team of instructors now train all the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority wardens. FGSC is a member of the Civil Service Sailing Association (CSSA) and Richard’s rescue team is called to assist at many other club and championship events.

		One of this year’s six national Youth Award winners was Douglas Conway (18) of Paxton Lakes SC. Douglas joined the club at the age of six and learnt to sail through the club’s own courses. He was the youngest ever member of the club committee and for the past two years has been sailing secretary. He also organises and runs the club’s 24-hour sailing marathon in aid of RNLI funds. A qualified RYA sailing instructor he helps run the club’s accredited sailing school. When not racing his Phantom at Paxton he sails two-handed boats such as Laser 2000, Laser 4000 and Dart 15 cats. Douglas, who lives in Little Paxton is going to University next year.
	Douglas Conway