Testwood Lakes Sailability names its latest dinghy in memory of late founder and chair Eric Blyth
A CHARITY which provides sailing opportunities for the disabled has named its newest boat in memory of its late founder.
Testwood Lakes Sailability, based at 4th New Forest North (Eling) Sea Scouts headquarters in Totton, was launched in 2016 by Eric Blyth.
The organisation had spent many years fundraising for a wheelchair accessible pontoon at Testwood Lakes, which is fitted with hoists to safely transfer wheelchair-dependent sailors in and out of the boats.
Chairman Eric, who lived in the town, passed away in February.
Trustee of the charity, Phil Rawdon, told the A&T: “One of the last issues that Eric and I agreed on last Christmas was to purchase a sixth dinghy and trade in the single. At the time this was to be something that TLS would complete in 2025.
“The collection in memory of Eric was such that the trustees decided to use the funds to purchase a new dinghy. Additional funding came from Sir Bevis Masonic Lodge and Southampton Magna Rotary Club.”
The official naming ceremony was held on Monday, with Eric’s wife Sheila christening the boat with a mug of tea – his favourite drink – as opposed to the traditional bottle of champagne.
Eric’s family also attended, alongside friends and disabled sailor Geoff Holt MBE, who officially opened the pontoon back in 2016.
Eric’s youngest son Martyn was the first to be taken for a sail in the new boat, which was skippered by Kevin Warland.
During the late ’90s and early 2000s, Eric was chair of New Forest Sailability, based at Spinnaker Sailing Club in Ringwood.
After learning that the 4th Eling Sea Scouts were raising funds to build a new headquarters, Eric came up with the idea of Testwood Lakes Sailability.
It was officially registered as a charity in 2013 and the small group of volunteers, led by Eric, began raising funds for the pontoon.
The group has since grown from just 20 volunteers and two dinghies to more than 50 helpers who run sessions twice weekly, providing over 1,000 sails each season.
For more information or to volunteer visit testwood.org.uk