Princess Royal delights sailing enthusiasts

Princess Anne was at South Staffordshire Sailing Club to learn about its history and hear tales from its members on Friday.

Juniors demonstrated sailing on the lake in Gailey Lea Lane, near Penkridge, and the royal also looked at the club's many trophies and plaques, including its Royal Yachting Association Club of the Year trophy which it won in 2011.

The club, which was also named Britain's best grassroots sports club a year later, started out at Calf Heath Reservoir, near Gailey, and moved to its current base in 1972.

Commodore Martin Warburton, aged 63, of Brewood, said: "It formed a major place for sailing in the West Midlands. We started off with a basic building but we built a new one when we got £80,000 of lottery funding in 2006. It was built by the members.

"We train both adults and juniors and we develop the youngsters to a level where we have one who is competing in the world youth championships.

"Some members have their own boats but we do have training boats. We sail here every weekend of the year. We do three races every Sunday and a race on Tuesday evenings in the summer. It's a very fun club to be part of."

Rod Jones, aged 78, of Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton, was one of the first members to join the club and signed up on Boxing Day, 1954.

The great grandfather-of-two said: "I was interested in sailing when I joined. My first boat was a cadet and then I bought a firefly.

"You didn't have any training in those days. You learned yourself. The club has changed dramatically. The standard of sailing has gone up dramatically.

"I spoke to Princess Anne about the old days and the opening of the club house. It has been an honour for the club for her to be here."

Wally Horton, aged 88, of Brewood, who was a former commodore and club secretary and has been a member for 50 years, said: "Someone persuaded me that I ought to take up sailing.

"I haven't sailed for years but it has been tremendous to be a part of the club and has meant happiness and comradeship. It's a tremendous occasion for Princess Anne to come.

"We are very fortunate and she is very welcome."

Father-of-two Martin Evans, who became a member in 1972 and was commodore in 2007, said he had spoken to the Princess Royal about club traditions and rebuilding the club house.

The 57-year-old, of Codsall, said: "She was very knowledgeable and has a shared love of sailing."

Cameron Whittaker, of Weston Road, Stafford, is the third generation in his family to become a member of the club after his father Andrew Whittaker, aged 51, and grandfather Eric Whittaker, aged 81, who has been a member for 43 years.

The eight-year-old, who presented the royal with a posy of flowers after she unveiled a commemorative plaque for the club's anniversary, said: "She shook my hand and asked me if sailing was good. I said yes. It was exciting and nerve-racking."

His mother Suzanne Whittaker, aged 43, who is also a member, said: "He comes weekly. He just loves it."

Princess Anne also met teachers and pupils from Westcroft Specialist Sports College in Wolverhampton, Sherbrook Primary School in Cannock and Stafford Sea Scouts, which all use the club's facilities.

Acting assistant headteacher of Sherbrook Primary, Sue Dutton, was at the club with around 10 pupils yesterday.

The 52-year-old, of Penkridge, who has also been a club member for more than 20 years, said: "The school uses the club once a week. They sail and canoe. It builds their confidence and teamwork skills and gets them active.

"This visit has been brilliant and for us to be included shows how inclusive the club is."

The club, which has around 400 adult and junior members, was due to host a celebratory anniversary dinner for around 170 people tonight.