New commodore of Marchwood Yacht Club, Lucy Barlow, chooses Testwood Lakes Sailability as charity of the year

THE new commodore of a Forest-based yacht club has helped to raise £800 for a charity which supports people with disabilities to enjoy sailing.

Lucy Barlow, who took on the role at Marchwood Yacht Club from outgoing commodore Richard Aubry, picked Testwood Lakes Sailability for her chosen charity of the year.

The organisation, which requires more than £5,000 per year to run, receives some income from charging participants a small fee for a trip on one of its dinghies, via a wheelchair accessible pontoon and hoist at Testwood Lakes, near Totton.

Lucy, who has been a member of the yacht club with husband Tim since 1999, told the A&T: “We were fortunate to have two club members who assist there as volunteers, and John Kuyser stepped forward to give a wonderful presentation explaining the role of the charity. They are an amazing group.

“Being mindful how much enjoyment sailing has given me over the years and wanting to support those who make sailing accessible to those who may like to get afloat, Testwood Lakes Sailability seemed an obvious choice.”

The money was raised at the recent commodore's reception at the club.

Lucy’s love of the water was inspired by her father, who was a master mariner and former lecturer at the School of Navigation in Southampton.

It was he who challenged her to take on a greater role, having previously been the club’s treasurer. She later put herself forward to serve as rear commodore. Sadly Lucy’s dad passed away in 2020, before he could see her step up to the role. She most recently served as vice-commodore.

She added: ”I have been most fortunate to have been able to support Richard Aubry in his two-year term. Here I am, happy to serve now at the club as their commodore.”