MIK Chappell normally seeks publicity for Bassenthwaite Sailing Club, but found himself in the spotlight when he was presented with one of the RYA�s most prestigious honours.

He received the RYA Lifetime Award from Princess Anne, president of the RYA, at the organisation�s annual volunteer awards ceremony held in London. �I was very honoured,� said Mik.

A total of 43 voluntary awards were presented to winners from across the UK. Mik was nominated for the award by members of Bassenthwaite Sailing Club and was selected as a winner for being an ambassador for sailing over 25 years.

He started sailing with the club in 1979 and represented it in numerous regional and national sailing events. He served as rear, vice and commodore between 2003 and 2008.

Mainly, though, his work with the club has focused on obtaining publicity through local media. That is something he has extended to another club of which he is a member, Whitehaven Sailing and Boating Association. At Bassenthwaite he has also edited the club magazine.

Mik has also been Mirror fleet captain since 2003 and the continued success of the Mirror fleet at Bassenthwaite is testament to his commitment and hard work.

Mik�s vision for the future of the club and the sport of sailing has focused on training � he was a crucial part of the team that achieved RYA training centre and champion club status. In the club�s recommendation for the award Mik is described as a �willing horse�, leading by example, and a �doer� � always the first to offer help and advice and invariably the first to arrive and the last to leave the club.

He has influenced on-water safety by encouraging members and staff to enhance their powerboat and safety boat skills.

Sarah Treseder, RYA chief executive, said: �The RYA is delighted to make this award in recognition of Mike�s enthusiasm, promotion of our sport and many years� contribution to the north west region�s boating scene.

�The 43 RYA winners are an inspiration to us all and it is my pleasure to recognise and celebrate their hard work and dedication.�

Mik and the other RYA award winners enjoyed a celebratory lunch in the presence of Princess Anne, and were presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate.

Any guesses as to why there wasn’t any sailing today?

Would have been a shame to disturb such a stunning view!

Bassenthwaite Sailing Club has been awarded a �500 grant from Skipton Building Society who run an annual grant scheme for sports clubs called the Skipton Big160.

Clubs wishing to apply for grants have to prepare a grant submission which is used to select a shortlist. Shortlisted Clubs have the details of the grant application put on the Skiptonbig160 website and members of the public are invited to vote for their favourite club. If you were one of those voting for us, thank you!

Our grant application for �500 to buy waterproof tops to lend to anyone doing sailing training was one of those selected.

The waterproofs will be available to lend out when the season starts again next Easter.

I see the lake levels are rising again and the boat has moved. Thank you and anyone else involved for looking after us while we swan around in foreign parts.

Weather here is just about perfect � not too hot and a bit of a breeze although we are walking not sailing. Can’t say I’m looking forward to getting back to more ‘interesting’ Cumbrian weather.

See you next weekend � hope it’s sailable.

Cheers

Jack

With British Summer Time ending tonight, the clocks will go back one hour. Plan something useful to do with that extra hour – As the lake is already very high, the forecast for heavy and significant rainfall over the next week is almost certain to cause flooding on the foreshore, so please consider protecting your boat by moving it to higher ground. Don’t just leave it for others to sort once the inevitable happens.

Thank you