A SAILING club formally opened their start hut at the weekend.

On Saturday, August 7, Burnham-on-Crouch town mayor Vanessa Bell and leader of Maldon District Council Wendy Stamp formally opened the new start hut at Creeksea Sailing Club.

The old start hut stood on the bank of the River Crouch for more than 50 years and is a well known landmark for sailors.

The new hut which was self-funded by the club was replaced at the start of the year in difficult working conditions with tough weather and Covid-19.

The replacement was finished in April, but the club had to wait until Covid restrictions allowed the opening to take place.

At 11am on Saturday the formal opening kicked off in the rain,

Members waited for the downpour to finish and the hut was officially opened after a short delay, with a good turn out to celebrate the occasion.

After the opening, Mrs Bell and Mrs Stamp were invited to sail on the river.

Donning wet-suits and safety gear, they were treated to a blast on a Hurricane 5.9 Catamaran up and down the river, helmed by Bruce Eveleigh, and crewed by Alan Shrimplin.

Alan Shrimplin said: "This was not a sedate sail due to the winds and both ladies managed to show off skills out on the trapeze of the CAT.

"This goes to show not all civic duties include tea and cakes."

He added: "Both enjoyed the sail, and said they had never done anything like that in the past, they are good sports and the clubs commodore Eric Howe would like to thank them both for the time and joining in with the celebrations for the day."

Visit creeksea.org.uk for more information on the sailing club.