Pilates at the Club

Died peacefully 12.12.2017 AGED 70 YEARS

We are very sad to report that Allen Benney, who was a long-standing Member of the HRSC and served on the Committee for many years, has passed away peacefully at Fairholme Nursing Home.

Allen loved the Helford River and sailing was his passion, with a boat and mooring on the river for over 53 years. He was an active member of the Club from 1972; racing his various yachts throughout the years, both on the Helford and in Falmouth, especially enjoying the Falmouth Week Regatta and the Sunday Pursuit Series, and into the Autumn as a Member of Flushing Sailing Club. He was fiercely competitive and had a regular crew of friends who put up with his yelling and determination to ‘stand on!’ for over 30 years.

Allen served as Hon Treasurer for many years when the Club was experiencing financial difficulties and through his determination and fortitude, being very sound and honest he guided the Club out of its problems and into a safe financial footing. He was also Rear Commodore Admin. and Vice Commodore. It was thanks to Allen that our deep-water moorings were all updated with larger sinker blocks that he had made up and brought out in his tractor and trailer from his farm in Helston at his own expense.

Allen was generous to a fault and incredibly kind. He never liked to see anyone alone and was always the first person to welcome visitors to the Cub. When Jane was Commodore he introduced himself as the ‘Commodores Wife’ and enjoyed entertaining at the bar! He was an enormous support during Jane’s time as Commodore.

Allen served on the WCORA (West Coast Offshore Racing Association) Committee with Wally Royal who remembers their trips to Plymouth in his Land Rover with great fondness.

Allen took enormous pleasure and pride in taking Privateer 20 years ago across the Atlantic, via The Canaries and Cape Verde Islands to the Caribbean and back, via Bermuda and the Azores. He had wonderful friends who accompanied him both ways and they had a lot of fun.

The funeral will be held at Helston Methodist Chapel, Coinagehall Street on Friday 22 December at 1.00pm and afterwards at the Clubhouse from 3.00pm

COMMODORE’S REPORT

What a fantastic season we have had at the sailing club, I would like to thank all the staff, committee members and people behind the scenes for all their hard work and commitment.

The Club slipway will be closed to all vehicles from 17.30 to 20.30 on Friday evenings from May to September. This is for the safety of our junior sailors.

Thank you for your co-operation.

It is with sadness that we report the passing of past Commodore Adrian Miller on 1st February. Although suffering from a long term illness he was ultimately a victim of the Covid 19 pandemic. 

Adrian served as Commodore from 1998 until 2001, having previously served as Secretary and Vice Commodore.

During his first year he oversaw the club’s 50th Anniversary celebrations. The highlight was the Jubilee Regatta on the 6th June with races for allcomers. To compliment the celebrations Adrian produced the booklet “Helford River Sailing Club The first fifty years”, a general history of the club and clubhouse.

His second year saw the 40th anniversary of the annual race to L’Aber Wrac’h with over sixty boats taking part.

During his third year Adrian was instrumental in setting up the Charter of Friendship with L’Aber Wrac’h and Landeda. Copies of this Charter hang on the wall of the club and the wall of the Hotel de Ville in Landeda.

Adrian’s lasting legacy was at the time less noticeable, but has stood the test of time. He was keen to see the sailing facilities at the club improved and Adrian did a substantial amount of the groundwork and behind the scenes negotiations that resulted in the planning application for the dinghy park extension and the pontoons that we all enjoy today.

The club extends its sincerest condolences to his wife Pam and the rest of his family.

Rob Hewett – Trustee