2018 marks the 100-year anniversary of sailing at Upper Bittell Reservoir and the establishment of the Barnt Green Sailing Club (BGSC) and it’s certainly been a year with a difference! Since September 2017 BGSC have been a sailing club without any water!
It’s a long story but in brief: Upper Bittell Reservoir is leased from the Canal & Rivers Trust and feeds the canal network; because a main valve on the waterbed needed replacing, all the fish were removed, as reported on the national news, and the water drained to enable the necessary extensive works to take place. The job was completed in early June, since when our fabulous early summer and lack of rain have meant a more delayed return to sailing than previously expected.
“We may be temporarily without water”, says Richard Chisnall, Vice Commodore and Chair of the Centenary Events Committee, “but the heart of this family friendly Club will never dry up and we are confident that sailing will recommence early autumn.”
BGSC members have been celebrating their centenary year with a series of social events including: a 100 themed quiz, a games tournament, presentations from members on club history and treasure hunting and talks from guest speakers including Paul Wilkinson, Senior Ecologist from the Canal & River Trust (C&RT) discussing the ecology of our waterways, and Alison Young, British Olympic sailor, who actually sailed at Barnt Green as a child. Alison, who finished in silver position at the London 2012 Games, competed in Rio in 2016 and is now working hard towards 2020 in Tokyo, inspired Club members and other guests with her story of endurance and determination.
The highlight of the year will be the ‘BGSC Centenary Dinner’ on Saturday 22 September at the Chateau Impney Hotel, Droitwich Spa, and to help make this a night to remember we are very grateful to our sponsor partners, Maypole Ltd, LizzieEverard.co.uk, Opening Doors & Venues and The Chateau Impney Hotel & Exhibition Centre.
Ollie Ridgway, Commodore, says; “We would also like to thank Bartley Green Sailing Club who have shared their facilities with us during our ‘dry season’ enabling members to continue sailing. We are also very much indebted to all the club members who have worked so hard in organising our centenary celebrations. The upcoming centenary dinner will be an ideal opportunity to both recognise our clubs’ history and get people together as we look forward to getting back out on the water!”
BGSC are inviting other local interested businesses and organisations to get involved by supporting their Centenary Dinner via bespoke sponsorship packages and, if interested, should contact, Sponsorship Coordinator, Rose Padmore by email: rpadmore@opening-doors.org.uk or phone 01562 731788.
