Two Nottinghamshire sailors were presented with one of the RYA's (Royal Yachting Association) most prestigious awards – an RYA Outstanding Contribution Award - by HRH the Princess Royal, President of the RYA, on Thursday (21 November).
Sutton-in-Ashfield's Martin Payne and Girton SC's Brian Rennie were two of 43 award winners, hailing from as far afield as Cornwall to Argyll, honoured at the annual RYA Volunteer Awards ceremony at London's One Great George Street.
Brian has been instrumental in Girton SC nearing its long-standing ambition to purchase the beautiful 100 acre lake upon which it is located in North Nottinghamshire, while the club's Sailabiliy group, providing opportunities for disabled people to learn to sail and sail regularly, is one of his passions.
Martin, meanwhile, has been the driving force behind his club's rejuvenated membership. He kick-started a junior section 'kids' club', and, working closely with the RYA, the club was awarded OnBoard status in recognition of its kids' grassroots activities in 2012. Now even parents are taking up sailing at the buoyant club.
Both men admit they were humbled to discover they had won awards.
Brian said: "The sport gives me the excitement of challenging myself, physically and mentally, and competing with others. Although now over retirement age, I still enjoy competing at my own level. Dinghy racing presents a different set of challenges every time and, best of all, it is not possible to worry about anything else while doing it.
"My most pleasing contribution to sailing has been to play a part in my club's management, as Commodore and now as Secretary, using the opportunity to get Sailability up and running. Playing a part in seeing the club into what are now the final stages of buying its lake and premises has also been particularly satisfying."
Martin said: "Winning this award makes me very proud, and all the work I've done for the club seems worthwhile. None of the things the club has achieved would have been possible, without the help from many other committed and dedicated members we have at our sailing club so I'd like to thank all the members that have helped me to achieve this award.
"Sailing for me takes me away from the stresses of everyday life; while racing that is all I think about. It's also given me the opportunity to travel to some great places both in the UK and abroad, and meet some fantastic people."
Brian and Martin were nominated for their awards by their respective clubs and selected as a winner by the Awards panel. They and their fellow RYA Award winners enjoyed a celebratory lunch in the presence of HRH the Princess Royal, and were presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate.
Sarah Treseder, RYA Chief Executive says "The RYA is delighted to make these awards in recognition of Brian and Martin's enthusiasm, promotion of our sport and many years' contribution to the region's boating scene. The winners are an inspiration to us all and it is my pleasure to recognise and celebrate their hard work and dedication."
For more information about the RYA Volunteer Awards visit www.rya.org.uk or to find out more about boating in Nottinghamshire visit www.rya.org.uk/regions/eastmidlands
Sutton-in-Ashfield's Martin Payne and Girton SC's Brian Rennie were two of 43 award winners, hailing from as far afield as Cornwall to Argyll, honoured at the annual RYA Volunteer Awards ceremony at London's One Great George Street.
Brian has been instrumental in Girton SC nearing its long-standing ambition to purchase the beautiful 100 acre lake upon which it is located in North Nottinghamshire, while the club's Sailabiliy group, providing opportunities for disabled people to learn to sail and sail regularly, is one of his passions.
Martin, meanwhile, has been the driving force behind his club's rejuvenated membership. He kick-started a junior section 'kids' club', and, working closely with the RYA, the club was awarded OnBoard status in recognition of its kids' grassroots activities in 2012. Now even parents are taking up sailing at the buoyant club.
Both men admit they were humbled to discover they had won awards.
Brian said: "The sport gives me the excitement of challenging myself, physically and mentally, and competing with others. Although now over retirement age, I still enjoy competing at my own level. Dinghy racing presents a different set of challenges every time and, best of all, it is not possible to worry about anything else while doing it.
"My most pleasing contribution to sailing has been to play a part in my club's management, as Commodore and now as Secretary, using the opportunity to get Sailability up and running. Playing a part in seeing the club into what are now the final stages of buying its lake and premises has also been particularly satisfying."
Martin said: "Winning this award makes me very proud, and all the work I've done for the club seems worthwhile. None of the things the club has achieved would have been possible, without the help from many other committed and dedicated members we have at our sailing club so I'd like to thank all the members that have helped me to achieve this award.
"Sailing for me takes me away from the stresses of everyday life; while racing that is all I think about. It's also given me the opportunity to travel to some great places both in the UK and abroad, and meet some fantastic people."
Brian and Martin were nominated for their awards by their respective clubs and selected as a winner by the Awards panel. They and their fellow RYA Award winners enjoyed a celebratory lunch in the presence of HRH the Princess Royal, and were presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate.
Sarah Treseder, RYA Chief Executive says "The RYA is delighted to make these awards in recognition of Brian and Martin's enthusiasm, promotion of our sport and many years' contribution to the region's boating scene. The winners are an inspiration to us all and it is my pleasure to recognise and celebrate their hard work and dedication."
For more information about the RYA Volunteer Awards visit www.rya.org.uk or to find out more about boating in Nottinghamshire visit www.rya.org.uk/regions/eastmidlands
