Chelmarsh still making waves 50 years on

But the future looks equally bright for Chelmarsh Sailing Club, which is enjoying a surge in interest and membership.

The South Shropshire-based club, which was formed in 1965, will mark its first half-decade with a commemorative dinner at Wharton Park Golf Club in nearby Bewdley in November.

A photographic collection of historic moments from the club's fine past will be displayed on the night.

There have been some tougher times as well during those five decades, but Commodore Mike Whitehouse revealed that the club is firmly on the up.

He said: "We have 175 memberships, including single, family and juniors. We have probably got 250 people within that membership system as a membership can cover more than one person.

"We have had more than 200 memberships at one point, but like most sporting things during the financial recession peoples' minds were concentrated on earning a living rather than 'playing'.

"But we have noticed recently that people are returning to sailing.

"During the last five years, the numbers travelling to and from other clubs for open races has probably halved but they are starting to come back and I think interest in sailing is increasing.

"We are seeing more members and more visitors to our opens and other people's opens. We are three quarters of the way back up to where we were five years ago which is great."

Chelmarsh remains as busy as ever on the water, with sailing taking place four days a week on the club's idyllic 110-acre reservoir.

Tuesdays and Saturdays are known as cruising days, where members can practice or sail at their leisure.

Sunday is race day, with three separate races taking place from 11.45am while in the summer months, the Nightcap Pursuit is held on Wednesday evenings.

Rear Commodore David Thursfield said: "We sail all the year round. As the weather gets colder the clothing gets thicker, but we are still out on the water."

The club has a large fleet of boats, some of which can be hired out to beginners wishing to sample the thrills of one of Britain's most successful sports.

There are five main classes of boat on site including 12 RS Aeros, six fireballs, 30 laser, six GP14s and 16 solos.. The club also has a menagerie fleet featuring several other classes.

And the club has recently bought two new Aeros with a £10,000 Sport England grant, which they hope will help encourage more people to take up the sport.

The Aeros are ultra-lightweight, very fast, and as club founder-member Robert Fisk-Moore said at the time, they have the 'wow' factor that is likely to appeal to younger sailors.

Chelmarsh currently has a youth section which meets once a month. Thursfield said:"The benefits of sailing to juniors are tremendous.

"They have to cope with what comes along, the weather can be unpredictable, so it is extremely character-building and it is one of the few sports that you can do at almost any age.

"My son was racing at eight years of age but then you look at another of our members, Keith Wilkins, who is still competing at a high level into his 70s. There are not many sports that you can do that in."

Wilkins, one of the club's leading lights of competitive racing, is a 13-time laser world champion and Asian Pacific Champion.

Those titles have been won over a near 40-year period and include both masters and grand masters crowns, while he is still competing for world honours today.

The club has also helped to produce two Olympians in Penny Clark, who represented Team GB at the Beijing Olympics, and Andy Beadsworth, who competed at both Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000.

Hopes are high that 13-year-old Drew Wright could also one day compete at such exclusive levels.

Wright, from Much Wenlock, won the Optimist National Inland Championships this year, and is top of the rankings in Great Britain.

He also represented Great Britain at the Optimist European Championships at Pwllhelli in July and has his eyes set on one day gracing the Olympic Games.

Thursfield added that perceptions of sailing being an exclusive pastime for the rich are wide of the mark.

A one-off joining fee for families and ordinary members is available at £50 while annual family membership is £248, ordinary membership £195, and junior and student membership £52.50.

Thursfield added: "We have club boats that are available for hire, primarily for people to find out whether they like it.

"It is encouraged that people buy their own boats to do races, and you can pay anything for a boat but less than £1000 will get you something reasonably competitive and to build up sailing skills."

Chelmarsh's club-house has grown with the club over the years.

Having operated from a number of caravans and portable buildings until 1970, the first clubhouse was then built on raised ground, with commanding views over the entire sailing area.

This building was then renovated with the new extension officially opened by HRH Princess Anne in April 2004.

The current clubhouse comprises a large galley with separate bar and function room, changing roomsand a training room as well as facilities for the disabled.

For further information about Chelmarsh Sailing Club or to enquire about joining log onto www.chelmarshsailing.org.uk.

Members and past members are invited to attend the club's 50th anniversary dinner at Wharton Park Golf Club in Bewdley on November 21 from 7.30pm.

The evening will include a three-course meal and tickets cost £35 per person. To book, or for further information about the event, e-mail dralisontaylor18@gmail.com.