I HAVE read many letters on the subject of Maldon Yacht Club and its potential eviction from the area by Maldon District Council.

Many have commented on the club’s location, such as Mervyn Perriman (Letters, November 21) judging it on its aesthetic appearance to visitors.

No-one has yet written in to comment about the heart of the club which is its members.

My dad has been a member since I was a child. I can remember much of my childhood being spent at the club and the members who have since come and gone.

All have been friendly and many became good friends with my dad over the years.

When my dad was hospitalised in London with leukaemia a few years ago, some members of the club decided to help put my dad’s boat away for the winter to protect it from the elements.

No-one asked them to do this.

Sailing in the Blackwater was something that kept my dad going while he was fighting his illness.

My dad, now in better health is back sailing and it is a big part of his life.

Members have helped my dad pull his boat out of the river and recently one member lent his launching trolley when my dad’s broke.

He couldn’t afford a new one and as a result couldn’t sail for a number of weeks.

Acts like this are what makes a club a club, and not its location or what it looks like.

Maldon District Council has made no effort to relocate the members of the club which I feel could have been a compromise to the situation at least.

I also would like to take this opportunity to thank those members for helping my dad to continue to enjoy his hobby throughout the years.

Grace Boulton

Heywood Way, Heybridge