Two Portsmouth sailors to receive Royal Yachting Association award from Princess Anne

John Wardale of Hill Head and Linda Vacher, from Milton, are both set to receive a Royal Yachting Association Lifetime Commitment award at a London ceremony on November 22.

The pair were selected as winners by the association’s Honours and Awards Panel, with the Volunteer Awards known as the ‘MBE’ of the sport.

John has been a member of Hill Head Sailing Club since childhood and honorary harbourmaster for more than 15 years.

He has served on the management committee for 19 years, as well as being first to help members with boat maintenance and moorings and is often seen tying down members’ dinghies and securing cruiser lines when high winds threaten.

An active cruiser sailor and powerboat instructor, he is willing to take anyone out in his boat to experience sailing and is a key member of the club’s Royal Yachting Association Push the Boat Out team.

John said: ‘I had no idea that my name had been put forward and it came as a complete shock when I realised that I had won the award. I do what I do for the club because I enjoy it, but it is always nice to feel appreciated.’

Linda joined Tudor Sailing Club at Langstone Harbour in 1995 and became dinghy captain within a couple of years, before taking on the job of compound bosun, organising the dinghy compound.

For the last six years she has been a club trustee, attending not only executive committee meetings but also bosun’s committee meetings.

For several years she has been ‘crewco’ for the club’s cruiser launch and recovery weekends, effectively organising all the members who are driving tractors and RIBs, or handling boats in the water and compound, as well as sorting out crews for the boats being launched and recovered.

‘I am honoured to receive this award,’ said Linda.

‘It is a pleasure to assist children and adults who start or return to sailing in lovely Langstone Harbour and the Solent. I am one of many members who give time to support and run the Tudor Sailing Club.’