Thanks to all who helped out at yesterday’s Sail Day! We managed to get 47 people with learning disabilities on the water! That took 12 club members’ boats and the generous support of Al Duffin’s cousin, Steve Clare, with his pontoon boat loaded to the gunnels with 11 participants! Thanks to all the skippers: Al Borg, Gary Williamson, Mike Stratton, John Crowe, Al Duffin, Patricia Skerlan, David Craig, Herb Hilderley, Tom Willison and two generous souls just docking from a cruise, Brad Chapman and Tom Nelson. And to all the helpers, Allan Hallworth, Tim Duffin, Bob Hallworth and Valerie Wheaton, and others I’m sorry to miss. And to the meal preparers; Gabrielle Borg, Mandy Duffin, Lorraine Stratton, Lynda Burke, and others I’ve sorely missed. But we can’t forget Phil Allison with the guidance of Ed Stevenson, on the hot grills!!
I didn’t get an accurate count, but this was a breakthrough event with at least 80 people maneuvering in the clubhouse and on the deck! In discussion with the Inclusion Northumberland staff, ably led by Melissa Cowey, we agreed to set a limit on the numbers for next year’s event and to switch the timing, with some input from club members, to the third Thursday in July (to be approved) expecting that more boats would be available. Each boat yesterday was loaded to the limit.
Inclusion Northumberland staff contacted the media and were promised space in the two local papers. They will be submitting articles and photos. Look for them.
Well done all. If you missed out this year, be sure to add it to your calendar for ’24 once the date is confirmed. Great fun was had by all and we provided a highlight of the year for many of our guests!
Frederick D. Wardle
