Three Nottinghamshire sailors will receive one of the Royal Yachting Association's most prestigious awards from HRH the Princess Royal, President of the RYA, later this month in recognition of their huge contribution to the sport.
At the RYA's annual awards ceremony in London on Friday 21 November, Ian Pilkington from Calverton and Long Bennington's John Marshall, both Notts County Sailing Club members, will be honoured with RYA Lifetime Commitment and RYA Outstanding Contribution awards respectively, while there is an RYA Outstanding Contribution Award for Girton SC's Richard Woodhurst, from Collingham, too.
Ian joined Notts County SC to windsurf in 1986. Within two years he was appointed Bosun and he has looked after the safety and committee boats, putting his practical engineering knowledge to good use keeping on top of repairs, for over 24 years. He has contributed greatly to the club's success enabling Notts County to hold regional and national events confident that the safety boats will work and be reliable.
John has been Notts County SC's membership secretary for 14 years, a job involving a mountain of paperwork, judgment skills and a friendly, welcoming attitude. The fact NCSC's average membership has remained stable at over 400 for more than a decade is testament to his hard work and success. A fearsome competitor in his Scorpion dinghy, John also took a lead role in clubhouse and grounds maintenance.
Richard, meanwhile, is one of Girton SC's unsung heroes. Since joining the club in 2001, he has put in countless hours of voluntary work, including as a dinghy instructor, and can be found at Girton several days a week, maintaining the clubhouse and its facilities. This year, aged 78, he decided the clubhouse, built from old wartime prefabs, looked a little drab so personally gave the exterior a makeover.
Ian first learned to sail with the 2nd Beeston Sea Scouts at the age of 13. He admits to being "humbled" to receive such recognition.
"All the time spent was just doing my bit for our club," he said. "Sailing has given me such enjoyment and freedom and the thrill of sailing a raceboard windsurfer at 28 knots! It's a sport everyone can enjoy at their own level. At NCSC we have people who just want to sail recreationally up to national squad level sailors and world champions. There are people from all walks of life enjoying time on the water."
John got into sailing after doing a course at Holme Pierrepoint in the '70s. He and wife, Karen, have since sailed together for almost 40 years.
He said: "We have a combined age of 133 years so I think that would take some beating! Our two sons have been sailing since they could walk and are both very talented, natural sailors. Our first grandson is eight months old so I'm already looking out for a Mirror dinghy for him! I get the most pleasure out of encouraging new people to sail. I love taking out complete beginners and teaching them the 'ropes'."
Richard, who first took to the ropes aged 15 on the River Blackwater in Essex, said: "Sailing has given me self-confidence and I have loved being available to help others to get started in the sport. The sport is all about learning to work along with a wide variety of people and with the elements. It is very pleasant to feel that my contributions over many years have been recognised. It was totally unexpected."
All were nominated for their awards by their clubs and selected as winners by the RYA Awards panel. They will enjoy a celebratory lunch in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, and be presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate.
Notts County SC's David Eberlin said: "Without people like Ian and John our club simply wouldn't run. Ian has beavered away behind the scenes for almost a quarter of a century, always responding as soon as he can with a smile and cheery comment.
"We all appreciate what John does, but few know how many days and nights it takes. His good humour, skill and experience have meant we can function effectively as a strong, popular sailing club."
Martin Appleby, Girton SC Commodore, added: "Richard is undoubtedly a volunteer of special quality, no job waits long before he is on to it. Richard is one of the people who keeps our smaller sailing clubs going and he thoroughly deserves this award."
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
At the RYA's annual awards ceremony in London on Friday 21 November, Ian Pilkington from Calverton and Long Bennington's John Marshall, both Notts County Sailing Club members, will be honoured with RYA Lifetime Commitment and RYA Outstanding Contribution awards respectively, while there is an RYA Outstanding Contribution Award for Girton SC's Richard Woodhurst, from Collingham, too.
Ian joined Notts County SC to windsurf in 1986. Within two years he was appointed Bosun and he has looked after the safety and committee boats, putting his practical engineering knowledge to good use keeping on top of repairs, for over 24 years. He has contributed greatly to the club's success enabling Notts County to hold regional and national events confident that the safety boats will work and be reliable.
John has been Notts County SC's membership secretary for 14 years, a job involving a mountain of paperwork, judgment skills and a friendly, welcoming attitude. The fact NCSC's average membership has remained stable at over 400 for more than a decade is testament to his hard work and success. A fearsome competitor in his Scorpion dinghy, John also took a lead role in clubhouse and grounds maintenance.
Richard, meanwhile, is one of Girton SC's unsung heroes. Since joining the club in 2001, he has put in countless hours of voluntary work, including as a dinghy instructor, and can be found at Girton several days a week, maintaining the clubhouse and its facilities. This year, aged 78, he decided the clubhouse, built from old wartime prefabs, looked a little drab so personally gave the exterior a makeover.
Ian first learned to sail with the 2nd Beeston Sea Scouts at the age of 13. He admits to being "humbled" to receive such recognition.
"All the time spent was just doing my bit for our club," he said. "Sailing has given me such enjoyment and freedom and the thrill of sailing a raceboard windsurfer at 28 knots! It's a sport everyone can enjoy at their own level. At NCSC we have people who just want to sail recreationally up to national squad level sailors and world champions. There are people from all walks of life enjoying time on the water."
John got into sailing after doing a course at Holme Pierrepoint in the '70s. He and wife, Karen, have since sailed together for almost 40 years.
He said: "We have a combined age of 133 years so I think that would take some beating! Our two sons have been sailing since they could walk and are both very talented, natural sailors. Our first grandson is eight months old so I'm already looking out for a Mirror dinghy for him! I get the most pleasure out of encouraging new people to sail. I love taking out complete beginners and teaching them the 'ropes'."
Richard, who first took to the ropes aged 15 on the River Blackwater in Essex, said: "Sailing has given me self-confidence and I have loved being available to help others to get started in the sport. The sport is all about learning to work along with a wide variety of people and with the elements. It is very pleasant to feel that my contributions over many years have been recognised. It was totally unexpected."
All were nominated for their awards by their clubs and selected as winners by the RYA Awards panel. They will enjoy a celebratory lunch in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, and be presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate.
Notts County SC's David Eberlin said: "Without people like Ian and John our club simply wouldn't run. Ian has beavered away behind the scenes for almost a quarter of a century, always responding as soon as he can with a smile and cheery comment.
"We all appreciate what John does, but few know how many days and nights it takes. His good humour, skill and experience have meant we can function effectively as a strong, popular sailing club."
Martin Appleby, Girton SC Commodore, added: "Richard is undoubtedly a volunteer of special quality, no job waits long before he is on to it. Richard is one of the people who keeps our smaller sailing clubs going and he thoroughly deserves this award."
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
