Newsletter 23 07 26
Published 13:00 on 24 Jul 2026
Welcome to WKSC Newsletter
A View from the Bridge
Well, that was a fabulous weekend of sailing!
The Round Hilbre race was wonderful to watch - unfortunately for me, from the Lifeboat (don't worry, false alarm, nothing to see here!).
Mrs Commodore and 1st Child were Mirror sailing around the Island. They had a fabulous day out coastal sailing with the seals.
Back to the Club for fine food, drink and good company!
The Junior Regatta on Friday evening was a barrel of laughs! Thanks to Matt and Ali for organising that. Many thanks Helen for the food, it certainly was busy!
The Dee Regatta was well attended and well run, many thanks to out friends at DSC for the brilliant event, as always!
Welcome home all the sailors from the 420 Fleet who did so well in the Worlds in France! Can't wait to hear all about it in the bar!!!
As most of the stuff that's happened has been sailing based (never a bad thing), so I'll hand over to Tony, who can discuss it in greater detail below! Have a good week y'all!
Best Regards,
Chris Gatenby
Volunteer Opportunity - Marketing Manager
West Kirby Sailing Club is looking for a volunteer Marketing Manager to help grow and promote our club.
The role is to develop the West Kirby Sailing Club brand, raise awareness of the fantastic sailing and social activities we offer, and, most importantly, help attract and retain new members.
Working with the Flag Officers and General Committee, you will:
- Promote the club and its activities.
- Develop ideas and campaigns to increase membership.
- Enhance the club's profile through the website, social media and local publicity.
- Help ensure the club presents a welcoming and consistent image.
This is an opportunity to make a real difference to the long-term future of West Kirby Sailing Club. Enthusiasm, creativity and good communication skills are more important than professional marketing experience.
Please contact me on 07714 206567 or jdatkinson9599@gmail.com
Thank you
Jonathan Atkinson
Summer Galley Dates
The Galley will be taking a break on a Friday night during the summer. The days it will be serving are shown below.
Friday 24th July - Seafood Shack
Friday 31st July - Seafood Shack (200 Club)
Friday 7th, 14th, 21st August - Galley CLOSED - Members are welcome to get takeaway delivered.
Friday 28th August - Helen Catering (200 Club)
Youth Dinner Returns! - Saturday 26th September
For those who remember the Youth Dinner they will tell you what a fantastic event it was. Some of us still attended into our 30s as it was always a great night! This year we are bringing it back for our Juniors. Any Junior member who is at secondary school or up to 25 years can attend and can bring up to five friends. It is Black Tie (or as smart as you can!), there will be a three course sit down dinner served by the House Team and music after for the party to continue. We really hope the Junior members of the Club enjoy the evening as much as we used to, and it can become an annual event again.
Menu
Starter: Prosciutto-wrapped melon. Sweet, ripe melon wrapped in delicate Parma ham, finished with a light garnish of seasonal leaves.
Main Course: Supreme of Chicken. Pan-roasted chicken supreme served with a velvety white wine sauce, dauphinoise potatoes and tenderstem broccoli.
Dessert:Chocolate Mousse Cake. Rich, indulgent chocolate mousse cake served with freshly whipped cream.
7 pm - 11 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the bar. £20pp.
Sailing Matters
If you are gifted a gift of good weather, grab it. And we did. What a wonderful three days of racing. I can't resist attempting to get a newsletter out despite the fact that the newsletter is meant to be on holiday till September, to report on these three days. I meantioned last week that we could not have wished for a better weather forecast. Sailors in to-day's world watch numerous weather forecasting websites. A decision whether to sail or not is frequently determined by the forecasts which have become a lot more reliable. Well all the various factors were aligned and to kick off the three days of racing the Round Hilbre Race attracted 46 boats.
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Weekly Roundup
Weekend 11&12/7/26 Wallasey YC Regatta
The WKSC Falcons and Steve Ferrington (Solo) competed on the Mersey in Wallasey YC Regatta. No report but Alan Jenkins captured some pictures - here's one of them.
Tuesday 14/7/26 SOLO, ILCA and ILLUSION
High pressure and into the heatwave with temperature up around 30 degrees C. Wind NE 7 knots
SOLO
Martin Harley two wins, John Dixon two 2nds, Steve Ferrington 2 x 3rds. Same again for race 2.Seven x boats racing.
ILCA7
James Douglas had two wins. Simon Johnson had a 2nd and a 4th. Lee Matthews had a 3rd and a 2nd. 15 boats competing
ILCA6
Glyn Purnell won the first race but was OCS in the second. Richard Neale was second and retired in the second race. Only the two boats racing.
ILLUSION
Two Illusions racing sailed by Peter Williams and David Pontin. That was the order of finishing in both races.
Wednesday 15/7/26 HANDICAP RACING
5 to 8 Kts NE. This was the evening when England was playing Argentina in Football's World Cup. It wasn't just the result that was depressing; the same could be said of the NE wind. Just two boats racing. Steve Ferrington (Solo) win the first race from Liz Potter (D-Zero). The results reversed in the second race. In the High PY division Sheena Davies had no completion in either of the two races.
Thursday 16/7/26 GP14, LIGHTNING and FIREFLY Thursday
GP14
Wind N 6-12 kts.
Three boats competing. The results for both races were the same: Robert Thompson & Alan Jenkins 1st, John Elliott & Nigel Currie 2nd, SimonHarding & Paul Daniels 3rd
LIGHTNING
Amy Watkins won the first race and came 2nd in the second race. Judith Carter won the second race. Just the two boats racing.
FIREFLY
With the regattas approaching those who would write up a report were busy elsewhere so the detail is bereft. However the results show there were four Fireflies competing and one of them was our old friend Chris Kameen, who had made the trip over from the other side of the estuary to take part and win the first race.
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REGATTAS
The Regattas were made up this year of a number of events:
The Illusion Regatta - Friday 10/7/26
The DF95 (Radio) Regatta - Thursday 16/7/26
Round Hilbre Race - Friday 17/7/26
Junior Regatta - Friday 17/7/26
Dee SC Regatta - Saturday 18/7/26
West Kirby SC Regatta - Sunday 19/7/26
The Illusion Regatta - Friday 10/7/26
Martin Hartley won overall once he got his act together and sorted the course out in his head ! In the first race he didn't and that let Peter Williams in and he won the first race. There was a battle for second place overall between Peter and David Pontin resolved in favour of Peter. David Pontin 3rd and David Pilling 4th. Ian Clarke 5th.
The DF95 (Radio) Regatta - Thursday 16/7/26
The DF95 class must hold its head in shame. Only one competitor turned up to sail last Thursday which was to be our regatta day … various excuses, grandparent duties or mowing the lawn et cetera.
Nevertheless that sole competitor took the situation as a challenge.
He and his DF95 proceeded to circumnavigate the lake. The wind was force 4 NW. They had to short tack all around the outer wall, stop for ice cream at Giffs, followed by a run ( literally ) along the promenade, back to the clubhouse end. DF95s,are pretty nippy downwind).
You may say "so what" ----- well the tide was over the wall and he was wearing his swimming gear. He remarked that there were no pedestrians dogs or wheelchairs on the outer wall and had the wall to himself,. But of course the return along the prom on a busy afternoon must have felt different.
Two hours and 10k steps sets us all a challenge. Thank You Andrew Peers.
The Round Hilbre Race - Friday 17/7/26
Epic ! 45 Boats. Great conditions. Challenging ? Oh yes ! Up at the north end of Hilbre it was lumpy. The wind had increased into a force 4 N or NNW. Surfing conditions on the way back if you chose the inshore route. And that's the beauty of the race - you have choices. There's only a limited time available for me to write this stuff and publish it this week which is sad because I could write a book about it. Just some quick facts as they alone prompt questions and comments: Competitors by class: 3 x Hilbres, 3 x Stars, 5 x Falcons, 28 x Fast Handicap, 6 x High PY (consisting of 4 x Mirrors and a Macgregor 26(!). The range of elapsed times for the boats that sailed the longer course ranged from 1 hr 36 mins to 2 hrs 18mins. On the shorter course (without the leg to Sally's Cottage and back the range was 1 hr 52 mins to 2 hrs 25 mins. There were three boats that didn't finish and one that was out there but didn't start.
Results:9
Fast Handicap Dinghies : 1st Glyn Purnell (ILCA6), 2nd Eve Bromilow & Tom Underwood (420), 3rd Dan Skinner (IC), 4th Ioannis Koutsokeras (ILCA6), 5th Liz Potter (Contender), 6th Martin Hartley (Solo) 7th Jean-Louis Simons (Finn), 8th Jon Hayley (ILCA7), 9th Andrew Bell (ILCA7), 10th Simon Johnson (ILCA7). 28 boats competing. (Note
Falcons: 1st Mike Hartley and team, 2nd Lee Matthews and team, 3rd Clare Wright, Tim Martin & Mike Jones. 5 boats competing.
Hilbres: 1st Bob Jarvis & Phil Oliver, 2nd David Pontin and team, 3rd Tim Booth, David Stothart and Anne Denny
Stars: 1st John Dowler and crew, 2nd Bernie Hailwood & Sarah Rees 3rd David Fitzhenry & crew
High PY: 1st Jamie Marston & Harry Goodwin-Marston (Mirror), 2nd Tony Marston (Mirror), 3rd Sophie & Lindsay Gatenby (Mirror), 4th Steve Rooney (Mirror), 5th Gavin Roberts and crew (Macgregor26), 6th Richard Manley & Sars Haxelhurst (Mirror). 6 boats competing
Junior Regatta - Friday 17/7/26
The breeze was up. There was a joy in juniors decision making ...
'Do I sail because I'm not happy sailing in this wind?' Answer Yes !
'I want to sail but I'll capsize in a Feva - but can I sail in a Pico?' Answer Yes !
The enthusiasm to sail was there. There's quite a range of age and experience too
Results:
Optimists: Close racing : Theo Geddes and Mollie Elliot had a win and a 2nd. Last race decider in favour of Theo and this despite a wallop on the head from the boom. Daisy Mullan 3rd, Seb Lord 4th.
Junior Handicap: Sophie Gatenby and Alice Parkey-Pharaoh (Feva) won overall. Amber Price (Pico) 2nd, Amber Price (Pico) 3rd, Harry Aberg (Pico) 4th.
Mirror: Harry Goodwin-Marston (Early days for Junior Mirror racing - Harry was crewing for his Dad. They joined in, in the Junior Handicap as there was only one Mirror racing on Friday evening but this was none the less an achievement after competing in the Round Hilbre Race earlier in the day. Harry celebrated his 6th birthday last Saturday. Sophie also raced her Mirror in the Round Hilbre Race, coming 3rd but first Junior Helm in the High PY division.
There was further joy in the swashbuckling pirate theme of the regatta with not so threatening inflatable swords in the club afterwards for the prize giving.
Dee SC Regatta - Saturday 18/7/26
It was mid afternoon before the sun cleared the cloud away. We were getting used to being warm but had to adjust to cooler conditions for Dee SC's Regatta. But still champagne sailing on a windward leeward course. Got a bit fresh towards the end as the sea breeze built up.
James and Alison Douglas had two wins in Dee SC's Dart18 Fleet. Pete & Max Spedding and John Hayley & daughter Ellie both has a 2nd and a third but the last race decider settled it in favour of the Spedding.
The stars of the show were the Falcon fleet: turn out of 14 x boats. Richard Robinson, Angus Armstrong and Tom Price had two wins. Team Marston: Jamie and daughters Hollie and Ella had two 2nds, Lee Matthews, Chantelle Matthews and Ali Pharroah 3rd overall, John Burthem, Linda Burthem and Peter Healey 4th overall, Adie Dodd, Neil Blake and Reece Parkey 5th overall.
Jemima, Chris and Nick Riley won the Hilbre fleet with two wins. Arthur Kemp, Tony Bibington & Jack were second overall with a 3rd and a 2nd. Chris Booth, Dan Booth and John Broome third overall.
John Dowler won both races in the Star Class with Dave Mayhew 2nd and Bernie Hailwood 3rd. Joining on the start line for the Stars was a Seabird Half rater sailed by Chris Pearson and Dylan Hughes from Wallasey Yacht Club. They had sailed round from New Brighton
Ten boats competed in the Fast Handicap Dinghy Class: 3 x double handers and 7 x single handers racing on a triangular course. The racing started out in a pleasant 10 knot breeze but ended in a more challenging 15 knots, gusting more. Juniors Eve Bromilow and Tom Underwood, following a week recently at the 420 Worlds in France, have upped their skills and won both races on corrected time. Glyn Purnell (ILCA6) and Liz Potter (Contender) both ended up on 7 points. But in the second race Glyn had a 2nd and Liz a 3rd whch gave Glyn the second place overall and Liz the 3rd.Jean-Louis Simons (Finn) was 4th overall and Andrew Potter 5th overall. There were no High PY Class boats competing.
The prize giving later was held at Dee Sailing Club's clubhouse with competitors, friends and family all enjoying the BBQ, the sunshine out on the lawn and that wonderful view out across the Dee Estuary. Thanks to all at DSC for a great day.
West Kirby SC Regatta - Sunday 19/7/26
The continuing weather pattern only got better for WKSC Regatta in that the skies were blue from the outset which maybe edged up the wind speed from the sea breeze towards the end of the racing.... just when you were getting tired !!
The Falcons surpassed themselves putting out 16 x boats. What a sight seeing them all lined up on the shore waithing for the tide. And while we waited for the tide we could see the Seabird Half Rater that had sailed round yesterday from New Brighton, sailing up the channel from Thurstaston where it had anchored overnight. Added to that 3 x Opera's had arrived by road from Hoylake Sailing Club during the morning to compete in the regatta. Not everyone can do three days racing on the trot for various reasons (though they need to try harder when the weather is this good !) but WKSC was the benificiary of the last regatta with 23 x dinghies competing. All of this set the scene for a great day's sailing.
Racing was close; Richard Robinson and team had to put up with a second place in the first race to Mike Hartley and team. And then Mal Jones wasn't far away taking a 2nd and 3rd. There was only two points between the first three boats. It was the same further down the fleet with 4th and 5th places on the same points and 6th, 7th and 8th places on the same points. All of course sorted out on last race position.
The final overall results for the top five were: 1st Richard Robinson, Angus Armstrong and Tom Price, 2nd Mike Hartley, Hannah Dufton-Kelly & Jon Behan, 3rd Mal Jones and team, 4th Jonathan Atkinson, Teri Atkinson and Rob Chesters, 5th John Burthem, Linda Burthem and Peter Healey.
Jemima, Chris and Nick Riley won both races in the Hilbre Class. Tim Booth, David Stothart & Emma Blake were second overall with a 3rd and a 2nd and David Pontin, David Moore & Tim Cull third with a 5th and a 3rd. Six Hilbres competing.
Dave Mahew, Alan Barr & Sara Rees had two wins in the Star Class, Ian Eccles and Dave Ftzhenry has a 3rd and a 2nd to take second place overall and just one point behind was Bernie Hailwood, Clare Booth and Nick Healey, third.
Gavin Melling and Robin Stratton had two wins in the very welcome visiting Operas from Hoylake SC, Jonny and Jim Gaskin had two seconds with Steve Stratton and Adam Daniel two thirds.
Still enjoying all the sunshine and fun on the Dee Estuary was the Seabird Half Rater sailed by Chris Pearson and Dylan Hughes from Wallasey YC.
The Operas and the Seabird started with the Stars. The Seabird finshed in the middle of the Hilbres and had a great race. The Operas were just ahead of the Stars.
The Fast Handicap Dinghy class attracted the biggest entry of the regatta with 23 x boats. Eve Bromilow, crewed today by Edie Rogers (420) both fresh back from the 420 Worlds in France, won overall with a 1st and a 2nd. Even though Glyn Purnell won the second race in increasing wind and chop as the ebb got going, he had to count a 3rd in the first race which put him into second place overall. There was just one second between the 420 and the Contender of Liz Potter in the second race on corrected time. Liz was 3rd overall. That one second was vital for Eve and Edie for their overall win. Jean-Louis Simons (Finn) was 4th overall, Tony Clark (ILCA7) 5th and Andrew Potter (6th).
I am pleased to mention Joe and Sam Armstrong-Rowland (sons of Jay & Lucie Rowland) representing Royal Southern, YC Hamble) were competing in their Firefly. There were two 2000's racing. Stan Van Den Berg and Sheila Davies raced their 2000 safely round the course in both races. Kevin Brook and John Mooney sailed in both DSC's and WKSC's Regattas and improved over the two days despite a capsize. They won't mind me saying that they are not yet accomplished sailors but none the less in the brisk breeze in the the second race on Sunday they had the spinnaker up and going well. A capsize followed which took some time to sort out and needed help from a rescue boat. However, they were giving it their best shot and regular sailing is all that's needed !
PRIZE GIVING
A packed club house of competitors and members gathered for the prize giving. Just before that got underway Mike Harley, Rear Commodore Sailing made a presentation to Alan Barr and Steve Bromilow. Alan has restored a 1950's Firefly to pristine orginal condition after many months of hard work in the shed. Steve Bromilow has redecked a 1960's Firefly to the mark 4 layout and again fully restored the boat ready for racing again. Both boats were on display for all to see outside the clubhouse. The Firefly projects have inspired a resurgence in youth firefly sailing at WKSC and very welcome and pleasing this is to all sailors at the club. Those who regularly visit and dwell in the WKSC sheds will know that these two boats are not the only restoration projects reaching completion in the sheds. Jean-Louis Simons has been working hard on Star 'Mars' and Mike Hartley on a 1950's Finn. Both boats are looking beautiful. I look forward to photographing all of these boats mentioned above and the three Mirrors that have been restored, on a lovely sunny day when they are rigged and ready to sail.
Commodore Chris Gatenby thanked all the various parties that had contributed to making the regattas a success. President Peter Bramley presented the prizes and Sailing Secretary Tony Marston read out the prize winners. All good but I had forgotten to mention our Liz Potter who has put a lot of effort into the prizes. (When I was reading out the prize winners for the Fast Handicap Dinghies I missed 3rd place - Liz Potter (Contender)as well !) Liz - I am correcting that omission here and now. Thank you Liz. Years ago small brown envelopes containing prize money were handed out as prizes. Then in another era it was bottles of wine. I can remember glassware beatifully engraved as prizes. Probably the least effort for the club is the small brown envelopes. What is your view on prizes? Personally I like what Liz has been doing. She puts a lot of time and effort into her selection. The novelty value puts smiles on to everone's faces and that's the secret of success. Well done and thank you again Liz.
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470 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Poland)
Arwen Fflur and David Bromilow qualified for the gold fleet at the 470 Youth Worlds. They are now in Lithuania, lying 16th overall in the European Championships. Hopefully more news when they are back.
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MIRROR FLEET NEWS
Two new Mirrors have joined the fleet:
SADLY - GRAND MIRROR DAY4 (Saturday25/7/26) has been cancelled due to a high wind forecast.
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The newsletter is having at least a week off but please keep sending in news and pics.
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Tony Marston
Sailing Secretary
Training
New Activity - Let's Launch
Click here to book your Training Courses
Events
Grand Mirror Days Out
Menai Strait Regattas 27th July - 8th August 2026
WKSC 125th Anniversary Away Ball - Saturday 3rd October 2026 - BOOK NOW!
To book tickets click here or go to the website Book Online
You must be logged in to purchase tickets but you are welcome to book for non-members, the more merrier!
Menu
Starter - Pork Terrine, with Pineapple Salsa, Slaw & Pork Scratching, Cajun Style Dressing.
Main - Slow Cooked Featherblade of Beef, Celeriac Puree, Fondant Potato, Green Beans, Red Wine Jus.
Dessert - Sticky Toffee Pudding, Butterscotch Sauce, Clotted Cream.
Vegetarian and other dietary requirements available.
Other Information
| Boats for Sale |
Boats for sale - Click here to view all Boats for Sale on the website. NEW - Kayak - Knysna Genius CLK Surfski £600 NEW - Wayfarer NEW -Laser for sale: Sail number 72336 Fair condition, comes with Road Trailer Launching Trolley Top cover(poor) Two full sails, 1 fair-good condition, 1 rarely used) Radial sail @ mast section Asking £775 Buyer to collect(Neston) Many thanks for any help you can provide Dion Robotham 0151 639 9700 07703 532231 |
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Last updated 15:24 on 24 July 2026