Fire at Wiltshire Sailing Club

[boatsRus]

Just seen the news item about arsonists starting a fire at the West Wiltshire Youth Sailing Association clubhouse. I started my sailing there in 1968, and what I learnt then helped to set me up for the rest of my career. I don't think I am allowed to write what I would like to do to the s*****s who started the fire.

 

[yoda]

Just seen the news item about arsonists starting a fire at the West Wiltshire Youth Sailing Association clubhouse. I started my sailing there in 1968, and what I learnt then helped to set me up for the rest of my career. I don't think I am allowed to write what I would like to do to the s*****s who started the fire.

which one? Is it in Westbury? If so I started there back in about 1976.

Yoda

 

[clyst]

Or Bradford on Avon ?

 

[boatsRus]

It was the one on the old gravel pit near the station in Westbury - not exactly the biggest sailing lake in the country, but good enough to get kids started. I have been in touch with them. It seems they have lost almost everything - rescue boats, outboard motors (stolen before the fire was started), sails etc, not to mention the building itself.

 

[dancrane]

Appalling business. Brief newspaper story here: http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/new...se___100_000_damage_at_Westbury_sailing_club/

It's a pity we must all think this way, but any and every defence against thieves (and maniacs like these who attempted to cover their crimes) must be considered by clubs where boats and expensive items regularly stand unattended. Kidding ourselves that our stuff isn't likely to be raided, is very foolish.

Perhaps worth repeating that any means of indelibly marking boats (and costly fittings like sails & rudders), outboards, etc is a good step towards discouraging thieves...

...as is never buying secondhand stuff whose provenance is dubious.

I hope Westbury SC was insured, and can bounce back.

 

[yoda]

Appalling business. Brief newspaper story here: http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/new...se___100_000_damage_at_Westbury_sailing_club/

It's a pity we must all think this way, but any and every defence against thieves (and maniacs like these who attempted to cover their crimes) must be considered by clubs where boats and expensive items regularly stand unattended. Kidding ourselves that our stuff isn't likely to be raided, is very foolish.

Perhaps worth repeating that any means of indelibly marking boats (and costly fittings like sails & rudders), outboards, etc is a good step towards discouraging thieves...

...as is never buying secondhand stuff whose provenance is dubious.

I hope Westbury SC was insured, and can bounce back.

I hope so to, it may be small but many people like myself had our early learning years on that small piece of water guided by some by dedicated adults. Right at the start of the season too, not good news.

Yoda