REDUCING its environmental impact has earned a local sailing club recognition on the national stage.
Etherow Country Park Sailing Club’s ambition to go green began two years ago, after losing their electricity feed at the end of 2021 and water supply three months later because of callous thieves.
It has been crowned Green Club of the Year at the Royal Yachting Association Club of the Year Awards for developing its environmental credentials in creative ways.
The club received the award on the main stage at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show at Farnborough International.
Michael Hollingworth, Commodore at the club, said it feels fantastic to win the accolade.
“Being such a small club, the award is wonderful and exceptional,” he admitted.
“We have been able to develop the club in such a way to make the most of its credentials being located in a country park, doing things like recycling the old dinghies that can then be sold to members to make sailing affordable and accessible.”
“Because we didn’t have water, we couldn’t flush the toilets, so we implemented water harvesting and because we lost electricity, we changed all the lights so they could run off a Kilowatt generator. Then, once we got the electricity back, we reduced our consumption right down, and our electricity bill is so low now.
“As a result of us losing the water and the electricity, we were able to push the green policies forward. It was pushed on us, but once we had completed the work, we just embraced it and continued.
“The ePropulsion engine will be magic for our members. We are currently running old outboards that are hit and miss. With the new ePropulsion, we will be able to carry on the green theme. With the country park being so full of wildlife, this will benefit the environment being significantly quieter.”