A sailing club is celebrating its 100th birthday in style this weekend.
In 1923 Alfred Douglas Hownam-Meek founded Castle Cove Sailing Club in Portland Harbour.
He was at the time vice commodore and then commodore of the Weymouth Sailing Club and as his boat Idler was moored off Castle Cove, it is not surprising he decided to form another sailing club.
Now 100 years on, the Castle Cove Sailing Club he founded is set to make a splash with its centenary celebration.
Much has changed from those early days when wet suits were unheard of and lifejacket and buoyancy aids a rare sight.
After three moves from sites on the north side of Portland Harbour, the club now has a clubhouse at the end of Old Castle Road with a large dinghy park and a number of moorings.
The centenary is being celebrated this coming weekend on Friday, June 9, Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11. There is a busy programme of activities for members of all ages.
The formal part of the weekend will start on Friday evening with a reception for distinguished guests including the Mayor of Weymouth and the founder’s grandson, Anthony Hownam-Meek.
Saturday will be a fun day for all the family with match racing, a cadet challenge, games on the beach and on the water, a treasure hunt, a tug of war and in the evening barn dance.
On Sunday morning there will be a centenary race followed by a sail past Portland Harbour to which all local sailors are invited.
It is hoped that the harbour will be filled with boats of all sizes that will sail past Club Commodore Andy Adler, on board the club committee boat and MV Freedom with past commodores on board.
The weekend will conclude with a cream tea, prizegiving, centenary cake and a toast to another 100 years of sailing.
The club has been raising money for some time to make the occasion, with several local businesses including Damory and Boatfolk contributing.
The club participates in both racing and cruising, in dinghies and keelboats.
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