On 30th May 2021, after Sunday racing, over 50 Maidenhead Sailing Club members gathered for the presentation of the Covid-belated RYA 2020 Community Volunteer Awards for 3 of the club’s long-serving members.
These were presented by Steve Smith, RYA London & South-East Area Representative, on behalf of Sarah Treseder, RYA Chief Executive Officer.
The worthy recipients were introduced by MSC Commodore James Gladwyn.
Maidenhead Sailing Club nominated three members for Volunteer Awards in 2020.
Julie and Jeff Maidment have been highly involved in all aspects of Maidenhead Sailing Club for 25 years with the attitude that to get something out of the club you need to put something in. Both have been Commodores as well as holding various committee positions.
Whilst Commodore, Julie made huge success of the very difficult task of bringing two clubs together, when Taplow Lake Sailing Club had been given notice of their existing premises. She made the transition of combining the clubs very easy. As club secretary, she has dealt quietly and efficiently with many aspects of club operations and lent her organisational skills to the running of events.
Jeff has run some extremely successful working parties, after which Julie organises lunch for the volunteers. Very practical, he has helped with sorting out the club car park, launching area, new pontoons, new changing rooms, and many other jobs including laying in a new sewer and building and fitting out the new disabled changing room.
Nothing is ever too much for Julie and Jeff who always put the club first.
Steve had much pleasure on behalf of the RYA in handing over to Julie and Jeff the RYA 2020 Lifetime Commitment Award in the form of a certificate and engraved silver-placed frame.
Malcolm Brown has been an active member of Maidenhead Sailing Club since 2010 and before that of Taplow Lake Sailing Club. He maintains the club’s powerboats, working tirelessly to ensure engines are serviced regularly, issues are resolved quickly and that there is always fuel available for the boats. He never lets a technical problem defeat him.
When not working on boat engines, Malcolm also ensures that the club mowers and trimmers are in good working order. He accurately measures the lake level and maps the contours of the lake to help identify shallow areas.
Along with his passion for sailing and engines, Malcolm is very sociable and welcoming and gladly helps new members with boat ringing and answering any questions.
Malcolm’s work is done quietly in the background with meticulous attention. The hours and effort that he commits to the club are vital and invaluable to enable training, keeping club members sailing and racing and allowing everyone to safely enjoy the lake.
Steve had much pleasure on behalf of the RYA in handing over to Malcolm the RYA 2020 Outstanding Contribution Award in the form of a certificate and engraved silver-placed frame.