2016 is here – enjoy! It won’t be long till the new season starts, better start stretching that wet/dry suit….

We have just learned that member John Shackleton sadly died on Christmas Eve.

He had known he had cancer for six years and went through and benefitted from many different treatments during those years, all the while knowing it was not curable.

He was a very determined man who believed strongly that “you can not afford a bad day” whatever life was throwing at you and he tried hard to live up to that.

Wherever he lived and worked around the world, sailing was his main love and John was thrilled to have his lugger(s) on Bassenthwaite. Despite his many physical challenges John determined that he was fit enough to sail his beloved Lugger even as late as this last summer.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to his wife Gwen at this sad time.

John’s funeral is being held at 11am Monday 4th January in Accrington Crematorium, Lancs

BB5 6HA

followed by nosh at John’s favourite Carvery –

The Game Cock, Great Harwood, Lancashire, BB6 7UH

Please let me know if you will come for nosh?

Family flowers only – donations if wished to East Lancashire Hospice 

Wishing one and all a very merry Christmas, and a happy and prosperous New Year for 2016.

May the winds be fair, the sun shine, and the rain not be as persistent!