Four Hampshire sailors to receive RYA Awards from HRH The Princess Royal

The Awards are in recognition of their commitment to their sailing clubs. 

Robert (Rob)Lamb from Romsey receives an RYA National Award, while Peter Etheridge ofBassett, David Howden of Lymington and Eldred Thomas Philip (Phil) Pascoe ofHythe will each receive an RYA Lifetime Commitment Award.  

The fourwere selected as winners by the RYA Honours and Awards Panel and will receivetheir awards at the organisation’s annual awards ceremony in London on 22November. The RYA is boating’s national governing body andthe Volunteer Awards are considered the ‘MBEs' of the sport, honouringpeople throughout the UK for their outstanding contributionsacross all the disciplines the RYA represents, including sailing, windsurfing,motor cruising, inland waterways and personal watercraft. 

Rob was determined toraise the standards of race management at the Royal Southampton YachtClub - and elsewhere - for the 2012 Olympics. He devised rigorous training courses and seminars, effectively startingthe RYA qualification system that remains in use today. As a result, RSYC wasable to provide an outstanding group of race officials to contribute to Great Britain’ssuccessful Olympic Regatta in Weymouth. Rob has developed further courses andis now Chief Instructor for International Race Officer seminars for WorldSailing.  

Of his Award, Rob says “I feel privileged to have receivedthis award.  I sincerely did not expect to be honoured for simply pursuingmy hobby! Thank you.” 

Peter is afounder member of Marchwood Yacht Club which was established in 1963. Sincethose early years he has given his support in all sections of the club and isthe longest-serving Treasurer. Serving as Boat Park Chairman for a number of years,he oversaw the management of lifting and launching 175 yachts at the club. Hecontinues to epitomise the club motto ‘if it needs doing, do it’, playing anactive part in the day-to-day running of this busy club.   

David hasbeen a member of Keyhaven Yacht Club (KYC) since 1988, serving on the Committeeand as a Trustee. He supported one of the largest Cadet fleets in the Solent,developing the skills of both sailors and parents with a calm and patientapproach. He also offered his professional skills as a quantity surveyor to clubhousedevelopment projects including a significant refurbishment and extensionproject. Whether on a committee boat or raising funds at a boat jumble day,younger generations of members and parents respect him as a ‘Father of theclub’, inspired by his total commitment and constant devotion to the bettermentof KYC.

Davidcomments “I feel very honoured to have been nominated for the award and itgives me great pleasure to represent the Keyhaven Yacht Club, a thrivingfriendly club in a special corner of the western Solent.”

It is through Andy’sdrive and commitment that Netley Sailing Club (NSC) has a new clubhouse. Aftermany failed planning applications Andy finally stepped in and completed adesign within a limited budget and project managed the build.  His affable style and leadership inspiredothers to contribute to the project, and the new clubhouse opened in August2018.  Thanks to Andy’s efforts, the clubis now able to hold more events and host class national championships. Hislegacy is a fabulous clubhouse for members and visitors at NSC to enjoy formany years to come.   

Phil has been a memberof Hythe Sailing Club (HSC) since the early 70s and has for many yearsorganised and planned the dinghy and cruiser racing calendar, as well as allthe sailing events, including social events such as cruiser rallies. Phil hasalso served as Rear Commodore Sailing and maintained the club launch anddinghies.He will also often beseen laying marks for race courses, and is currently the HSCrepresentative on theSouthampton Water Sailing Association. Still an active sailor, with a host of racewin achievements Phil has made a significant contribution and is highly valuedby the club.                

More information about the RYA VolunteerAwards.