Come and join our yacht club... 60 miles from sea (From The Oxford Times)

Come and join our yacht club... 60 miles from sea

9:40am Thursday 3rd January 2013 in News

THE man planning Chipping Norton’s first yacht club – 60 miles from the sea – says he is amazed by the number of people hoping to join.

Retired TV producer Trevor Taylor, 66, decided living at one of the highest points in a completely land-locked county was no barrier to starting a group for sailing enthusiasts.

He said more than 100 people had expressed an interest in joining the Chipping Norton Yacht Club, which will organise a range of talks and social events, when it opens later this year.

Mr Taylor, from Spelsbury, said planning for the group was still in the early stages and it would be open to anyone with an interest in boating.

He said: “The idea has been around for a while but I have just recently discovered a number of people nearby who are interested.

“Just because we’re miles from the coast doesn’t mean we can’t meet and have a bit of a natter.”

He added: “Many Cotswold locals sail on the south, east and west coasts or overseas but, until now, there’s been no local yacht club where those interested in boating can meet without having to embark on a two-hour journey to the Solent or longer to east or west coast ports.”

The club is in contact with the Royal Yachting Association with a view to gaining membership and providing approved training courses.

Anyone keen to join should visit cnyc.co.uk or email yachtbreeze@gmail.com.