Bosham Sailing Club facts for kids
Club Burgee (Bosham Bell)
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| Formation | 1907 |
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| Location |
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Commodore
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Richard Lewis |
| Affiliations | Royal Yachting Association |
Bosham Sailing Club is the oldest sailing club in Chichester Harbour. It was started in 1907 in the old village of Bosham, West Sussex. The club's main building is called the Old Mill, right on Bosham Quay.
Contents
The Club's Story
The Bosham Sailing Club was founded by Captain E.K. Collis-Chapman. He started it in a stable that was changed into a club building by the water. The first people to join were mostly local fishermen and people who enjoyed sailing for fun.
After World War I, the club was briefly called "Bosham and Itchenor Sailing Club." But in 1922, it went back to its original name. Later, in 1927, the Itchenor Sailing Club was formed as a separate club.
In 1927, the club moved to the top floor of the Raptackle building on the Quay. They still start many of their races from this spot today. In 1947, the club bought a special boat, a Motor Gun Boat (MGB No. 614). This boat was used as their clubhouse and even had beds for members.
The club used the MGB until 1954. That's when they moved into a newly rebuilt Mill House. In December 2019, the club bought the building they use as their clubhouse. This means they now own it completely.
The Bosham Bell Legend
The club's flag, called a burgee, shows a red bell on a white background. This design comes from an old story called the "Bosham Bell." The legend says that Viking raiders tried to steal a large bell from the monastery. But the bell fell into the water, taking the Vikings and their ship down to the bottom of the Bosham Channel. People in the area say that sometimes you can still hear the bell ringing from under the water.
The club also has a long-standing friendship with the Société des Régates du Havre yacht club from France, which started in 1838. In October 2016, the club had 1,442 members. The clubhouse has a bar, a restaurant, and changing rooms. Its outdoor area looks out over the beautiful Bosham Channel.
Sailing Activities
Club Races
The club has many dinghy sailing events. These races happen every weekend from early March until the end of October. There's also a Winter series of races leading up to Christmas. On most Sundays, the club offers "handicap racing." This means different types of dinghies can race together fairly.
The main types of dinghies sailed at the club include the Laser, Finn, Wayfarer, International 420, RS Feva, Topper, and Optimist. The club also hosts special "Open events" for many of these boat types throughout the year.
Races can start from different places depending on the water level. Sometimes they start from a platform at the end of Bosham Quay. Other times, they start from a line near Cobnor, which is close to the entrance of the Bosham Channel. Or, they might start from the club's special boat, "Glad Emma," which anchors in Chichester Harbour.
RYA Training Courses
Bosham Sailing Club is approved by the RYA. This means it's a recognized training center. The club offers many courses for sailing dinghies, driving powerboats, and learning sailing theory. These courses are for both members and non-members. The club can also test people for the ICC, which is a boating license.
Classic Day Boats
The club has a busy racing and social schedule for its fleet of over 100 Classic Day Boats. These boats look like the yachts that raced in Chichester Harbour before the 1950s. They don't have enclosed cabins for sleeping. They are built stronger than dinghies and can be left tied up in the water.
Each September, the club hosts its yearly Classic Boat Revival. This event is for classic racing dinghies and dayboats. Yachts & Yachting magazine has called it the "best classic small boat event in the UK."
Bosham Junior Week
Bosham Junior Week is a special week-long sailing event every August. It's for young sailors aged 8 to 18, who are called Cadets. Young people have been racing at the club since the 1920s. Junior Week, as it is now, started in the 1980s.
A trophy is given out each year for racing on the windiest day of the week. This trophy remembers Glyn Charles, an Olympic sailor and club member. He sadly passed away during the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. In 2017, 149 young sailors took part in the event, using 107 boats.
Annual Regatta
Sailing competitions, called Regattas, began in Chichester Harbour in the 1800s. They were races between the fishing boats from each village in the harbour. Local customs officers used to organize them. The first recorded Bosham Regatta happened in 1903.
From 1908 onwards, the club's Commodore (who was then Col. A.T.Simpson) took over organizing the event. An annual regatta has taken place almost every year since then. There have only been a few breaks for World Wars or bad weather. The oldest trophy still given out at the regatta is the Eadie Cup, which was first awarded in 1923.
Notable Members
- The 2nd Earl of Iveagh (1874–1967)
- Charles Currey (1916–2010) – Won a Silver Medal in the Olympics (Finn class, 1952)
- Admiral Sir Anthony Griffin (1920–1996)
- Air Vice-Marshal John Downey (1920–2010)
- Admiral Sir John (Sandy) Woodward (1932–2013)
- Bowen Wells – Was a Member of Parliament from 1979 to 2001
- The 3rd Earl of Iveagh (1937–1992)
- John Nelson – Was the Chairman of Lloyds
- The 4th Earl of Iveagh
- Sarah Ayton – Won Gold Medals in the Olympics (Yngling class, 2004 and 2008)
