Sailing club to close after 66 years

A local sailing club which has been part of the community for 66 years is set to close, following years of declining membership and rising costs.

Members of Shearwater Sailing Club say it has become unviable to continue. The club, based at the Shearwater lake near Crockerton, was founded in 1960 and has provided members with sailing facilities, a launch and jetty, dinghy parking and a clubhouse.

Treasurer Mike Dickins, who has been a club member for 14 years, said, “In its heyday we had over 200 members, sometimes 250 and a waiting list. Nowadays our membership hasn’t reached 30. Sailing in this part of the world of this sort doesn’t seem to attract families any more. We have one or two family members but mostly, it is adults. The age profile has gone up as well. They were talking about problems of declining membership in 2000, so it is not a recent thing.”

The club has also faced increased costs, with Mike saying its building insurance is often higher than its income from membership.

Over the years, members have taken part in races, children’s activities, family days and social events, as well as visiting and hosting clubs from Bristol and Holland.

“Lots of things have disappeared over the time,” said Mike. “When I first joined there was an annual event with trophies and dinner. We haven’t done anything like that for 12/13 years. It is a regret having to leave because Shearwater is such a beautiful spot and very local.”

The club has also faced disruption from outbreaks of blue/green algae in the lake and dam works, which have made it difficult for members to use the water consistently over the past six years.

“Covid was minor compared with those years,” Mike said.

The closure will mean members who want to continue sailing will have to travel further afield, with Bradford on Avon, the Cotswolds and Somerset among the alternatives.

“A lot of the members that are here would like to carry on,” said Mike. “Although we have a small membership, a lot of them are very active. They are looking at other clubs. Some have already joined more than one, so they will go elsewhere.”