Our Project with Testwood Lakes Sailability

Thu, Sep 1st 2016 at 12:00 am -

Official Opening of Sailability at Testwood Lakes.


THE GRAND OPENING. See story immediately below, plus Lymington Times article,  and you can also trace the progress and build up by starting at the bottom of the page. 

On 1 September 2016, the opening day, the weather was fine.  The pontoon opening ceremony was performed by Roatarian Geoff Holt MBE.  Geoff is a quadriplegic yachtsman who was paralysed in a swimming accident in 1984.  Since then he has undertaken many adventures which you can read about on his web site  but he was there as Patron of Testwood Lakes Sailability.  After the opening the microphone  was passed to Eric Blyth as Chairman of the charity,  who introduced our own Pat Porter who named the dinghy Maurice Porter in memory of her husband and our Founder President. Current President Philip coaxed the fizzy out of the bottle.  Pat’s granddaughters Megan and Charlotte were on hand as were members of our club, Hythe and Waterside Rotary Club and Richard Maunder representing District 1110.  Both the Echo and Lymington Times sent reporters and for the Echo in particular it was the continuation of the original Founder Presidents Fund story.  Eric then demonstrated how the hoist is used to lower the disabled sailors into the dinghy before going off for a well earned sail.  

But for us it is not the end of the story we still have the new dinghy to order using the joint monies raised last year by our club, Hythe and Waterside Rotary Club and the matching District grant.  Delivery of that vessel will be next Spring.  Testwood Lakes Sailability continues to be one of the Presidents charities for this year with a special emphasis on helping to get local volunteers.

Philip


ARTICLE IN THE LYMINGTON TIMES. 10 SEPTEMBER 2016
with 3 photos similar to those by Ray above.


 Testwood Lakes Update 25 August 2016

On 25th August the long awaited pontoon arrived and was quickly assembled whilst in the background Shirley Rutland was serenely drifting by as a new volunteer recruit.  Elsewhere work was underway to rename a transfer boat from New Forest & District Sailability Ringwood in readiness for the grand opening day of 1st September. 

Testwood Lakes Update 18 August 2016
The base is now laid in place for the pontoon. Big sigh of relief! The project is now on target and will be ready for the official opening on 1 September 2016

Testwood Lakes Sailability update 2 June 2016

The waiting is over!  The project has started.  The pontoon has been ordered and is due to be installed in late July but in the meantime the training of volunteers has started and it is time to order the new boat which is jointly funded by New Forest, Hythe & Waterside Clubs and a District Foundation grant.

In the meantime Rotarians from New Forest and Hythe and Waterside Clubs had a fact finding meeting, during some very unseasonal weather.  The 2 boats from Ringwood Sailability are being used and President Elect Philip went for a test sail.  The photographs show why the deep keeled dinghies need the pontoon and disabled person hoist.  Once afloat the instructor sits beside the learner and either can control the dinghy as much as they want, maximising the enjoyment and learning experience. 

A good practical local example of Rotary International in action.

Watch out for further updates for this summer’s Grand Opening.

Philip


'What We Do' Main Pages:

Clive Rutland handing over eggs.

We assisted the Totton Spiritualist Church in their project to give an Easter Egg to all children being supported through the Churches food bank. Also additional food and clothing for the Food Bank itself.

more  

Gateway Annual Games-press article attached

more  

Supported by New Forest Rotary the Annual Gateway Games at Brockenhurst College attracted over 40 competitors with learning difficulties. Eastleigh won with New Milton 'M Chicks' winning the annual Rotary trophy for team spirit.

more  
Some of the treasure with Viv from Honeypot and our George.

'Treasure gathered by our Rotary Club from Rotarians, schools and scouts for children who are carers for their loved ones.

more  

A splendid day out for children organised by Rotary

more  

Our Christmas Collections at Asda & Morrisons 18-22 December supporting Totton Foodbanks and other Rotary local charities, raised £2,849 (with Gift Aid) up on last year. You can still contribute-scroll to 'DONATE' button.

more  

Presentation by Tina Richardson of Wessex Heartbeat to President Ian Frame of Certificate of Support on completion of pledge to raise £1,500.

more  

We look after the plant 'creche' and raise money too.

more  

Flyer shows some charities supported recently.

more  

What is Rotary? Who are we? What on earth do we do? Do we enjoy ourselves? (definitely yes!!)

more  

Outgoing President Tina hands over the chain of office to new President for 2023/24 Ian Frame of Lyndhurst & Brittany after rip-roaring year as our FIRST Lady President (but not last!)

more  

The following document by Laura Luff, the Senior Development Manager, sets out the LifeLab initiative.

more  

Annual Rotary Kids Out Day

more