THE county’s top talent was honoured at the Active Essex Sports Awards 2014.

At a glittering ceremony at Colchester United’s Weston Homes Community Stadium, in front of an audience of over 250 people, some of Essex’s best and brightest received awards.

And Stone Sailing Club’s Wendy Robinson was a finalist in the Unsung Hero category.

Robinson has been a member of the club for over 40 years.

She has been membership secretary for ten years, is the principal race officer, edits the club’s newsletter and runs the 200 Club.

Robinson said: “It was quite a shock to have been nominated and then selected as a finalist.

“I have been going to the club since 1965 and joined in 1969, it has become a big part of my life.”

The 71-year-old, from St Lawrence, missed out on the main prize to martial arts’ Dot Naylor, from Chelmsford, who is still teaching karate at the age of 81.

However, Robinson was pleased to have been recognised for the work she does for Stone Sailing Club and to have been nominated by its members.

She said: “It is one of the biggest passions in my life, however, I have never sailed.

“I go out on the committee boat under motor.

“My husband sailed and my children learnt to sail there.

“My eldest was even made commodore of the club a couple of years ago.

“It is nice to have been nominated by the club for the work that I have done.”