Scottish sailor receives Individual Environmental Excellence Trophy 

Carol Gilles from the Toward Sailing Club, Argyll was presented with The Green Blue’s trophy for Individual Environmental Excellence by Dee Caffari, an ambassador for The Green Blue, at a special ceremony held on the RYA stand at the PSP Southampton Boat Show on Thursday 22 September.    

On receiving her trophy for Environmental Excellence Carol said “Thank you so much for this trophy – it means a lot to my club and all the members to have our efforts recognised in this way.”  

Speaking at the presentation Alan Morgan, President of the British Marine Federation said: “Carol reflects the very essence of this award – an unsung hero, passionate and committed to sustainable boating”  

Carol has always been environmentally aware and has implemented a number of environmental actions at the Toward Club. Environmental awareness updates are a regular feature of the club’s newsletters – 90% of which are now electronic, thanks to Carol.

She introduced recycling to the clubhouse which she monitors on a regular basis and is active in encouraging members to dispose of rubbish in an environmentally friendly way.  

The club has encouraged members to fill their outboards as far away from the shoreline as possible in order to prevent spills into the water. Throwing cans or bottles, far less any plastic rubbish, overboard is now unthinkable at the club.  

The Environmental Excellence Trophy will be an annual award and was established to honour the memory of Sally Banham who spent many years working to improve environmental awareness across the recreational marine sector and was instrumental in creating The Green Blue.  Sally very sadly died in 2008. Sally’s sister, Carol and her mother Angela were present at the ceremony.  

For more information on how you can ‘green’ your club go towww.thegreenblue.org.uk or contact jane.swan@thegreenblue.org.uk.