On Saturday July 24, Rye Harbour Sailability volunteers awoke early to the predicted forecast of heavy showers with thunder. However, as usual volunteers turned up at Rye Harbour Sailing Club, on the off chance that there would be some sunny intervals in which to sail. As luck would have it at around 10am, when all participants started to arrive, although there were still ominous grey clouds in the distance, the sun showed signs of bursting through. With a variable breeze, it was agreed by the Officer of the Day, the Coxswain of the safety boat and the dinghy helms that the sail would go ahead.
At the same time, Rye Harbour Sailability was delighted to welcome the Chairman of Rother District Council, Cllr Brian Drayson who was eager to see exactly what was involved when running a Sailability event at Rye Harbour. Cllr Brian Drayson was escorted by the Chairman of Rye Harbour Sailability and he showed a keen interest in the running of the event, from seeing the boats being rigged and prepared to sail, to watching the dinghies being launched and chatting with participants. Of course, he couldn’t leave without tasting the delicious bacon baps put on by the galley team led by Jen Tomkinson!
Cllr Brian Drayson said “It was wonderful to see, at first hand, the efforts made by so many kind and caring volunteers to enable people with varying abilities and disabilities experience the exhilaration of setting sail on the Rother. Being a total landlubber myself I was sorely tempted to jump aboard but was most definitely not dressed for the occasion.
“Caroline Wylson gave me a very warm welcome and all of the people I met were so friendly … special mention to the bacon chef. I know that Rye Harbour Sailability will offer the same warm welcome to any new volunteers and any new would-be sailors”.
Rye Harbour Sailability is very grateful for the support from Rother District Council and hopes that other Councillors might like to visit on other occasions, when Rye Harbour Sailability takes people with disabilities out on the water. It was a successful day giving four thirty-minute sails over the tide with regular and new sailors on board. Once again, a huge thank you to all the volunteers who gave their time and expertise to help on the day.
Our next sail is on Friday August 13 from 1pm. If you are interested in volunteering or sailing, for more information please visit our website www.ryeharboursailability.org or call 01797 223112. You will need to book in advance.
Image Credits: Sailability .