Staffordshire sailing club seeks permission to replace hut torched by arsonists

Himley Hall Sailing Club runs activities for youth groups and has also raised more than £100,000 for the RNLI – but members have been left counting the cost of stolen and damaged equipment including boats in recent years.

Last year the club’s starter’s hut, in the grounds of the Grade II listed park at Himley Hall, was torched in an arson attack. 

Decking enjoyed by walkers, bird watchers and anglers as well as club members was also destroyed in the blaze.

Earlier this year South Staffordshire Council gave the green light for the club to install fencing and CCTV to boost security. And now the club is seeking permission to build a replacement starter’s hut.

A statement submitted as part of the application said: “HHSC sails on the Great Lake that was created in the 1770s when Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown redesigned the grounds of Himley Hall on behalf of John Ward, the 2nd Viscount Dudley. The club was formed in 1970, following the closure of the NCB Sailing Club, when the Coal Board closed their offices in the hall.

“HHSC took over the dinghy park that had been erected for the NCBSC and moved into their clubhouse located in the Earl of Dudley’s thatched boathouse which is over 100 years old. Since taking over the clubhouse HHSC has made many improvements including adding water and electricity supplies, drainage, building a kitchen and creating a dedicated classroom for teaching school children and others.

“In 2005 they erected the green starter’s hut and built the decking that is enjoyed by the fishermen and many visitors to the park who like to sit on the bench and watch the wildlife. The club undertook a major refurbishment of the decking early in 2022 at a cost of more than £2,000.

“The club has encountered some severe difficulties in recent years with the lake being closed for sailing for lengthy period during the Covid pandemic, numerous break ins leading to the theft of several outboard engines used for the club’s safety boats and repeated vandalism attacks and thefts from the dinghy park including the theft of a safety boat that cost £4,500 and over £14,000 worth of damage to dinghies owned by both the club and club members. This act of arson is the latest of our difficulties and we are working hard to overcome these adversities.

“The fire in December 2023 destroyed the hut completely and part of the decking which has now been repaired. Cost of replacement of the hut will be in the region of £10,000, which has been raised though the insurance claim and through substantial donations.

“Our planning application to replace the railings around our boat park was approved in April and we are in the process of raising money for this work. This application is entirely separate and is to allow the starters hut to be rebuilt.”