Eviction leaves club high and dry
A sailing club is looking for a new base after being evicted from the lakeside site it has called home for the last 40 years.
Melton Mowbray Sailing Club's 120 members said they have been left high and dry by landlord Celtic Lakes, the owners of Frisby Water Park, near Asfordby.
The former quarry site, now an attractive country park by the River Wreake, has been home to the club since it was founded in 1970.
Mike Sharpe, the club's commodore, said that members had been given just two weeks notice.
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"We were told on August 20 that we had to quit the site by September 1," he said.
"It's not much time at all, especially considering how long we've been there."
Members held a protest on Saturday as they cleared out the last of the boats and equipment.
Mr Sharpe, 70, said: "We are still reeling from what's happening to us and many people are extremely upset.
"There were about 100 boats at the boathouse and it has been incredibly difficult to shift everything we've accumulated over the years."
Melton Borough Council has offered secure storage for the club's two rescue boats, with Melton's Sysonby Knoll Hotel and a local farm providing temporary homes for other boats.
Mr Sharpe said: "We're working with the borough council to find an alternative venue and also talking to other sailing clubs about the possibility of affiliating with them in some way, but we're in a bit of a hole."
John Carney, of Celtic Lakes, bought the 100-acre beauty spot last year and is investing £10 million in turning the site into a luxury fishing resort with 59 holiday lodges.
Mr Sharpe said at the time they had hoped to remain an integral part of the site and complement the development.
The club has sought legal advice, but will not fight the decision as it did not have a formal lease.
"It was a gentlemen's agreement, which we obviously rue now," said Mr Sharpe.
Mr Carney declined the opportunity to comment when approached.
The club had been involved in a borough-wide initiative to promote sport, with more than 100 people attending an Olympic legacy event in August.
Mr Sharpe said: "At a time when the whole country is celebrating the success of Team GB at the Olympics, we think it is tragic that a valuable sports facility should be lost to the people of Melton."
Joe Orson, councillor for the borough's Old Dalby ward, said: "This is a kick in the teeth for a fine sporting club and a major disappointment as we are looking to build a lasting Olympic legacy."
Alan Pearson, chairman of Active Melton, a sports alliance working with the district council and national bodies to promote sport in the area, said: "It's a crying shame. I think that the decision to evict the sailing club is shortsighted.
"It goes to show how vital it is for clubs to make sure they have a formal lease agreement with their landlord."
Comments
by Goose
Monday, September 10 2012, 10:04PM
“I have fished at many sites around the UK for a number of years now including Asfordby where the sailing club is. Unlike vindiesil, who incidentally hates Leicestershire in his profile, I have never had a problem even on days when the water was busy and still managed a couple of good catches - In fact, a passing sailor took a photo for me once! I've had more issues where motors and Jet Skis have been involved & now avoid avoid such stretches of water. It is a shame that a rosta or similar can't be tried and an agreement sought as there have been a couple of times when it's just been me fishing and a dozen boats out on the water. I love my fishing, although I don't get to do it as much as I'd like to these days and those ratios seem unfair... C'mon sort it out, seems a shame to see all that history go to waste!”
by oldhenry
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 12:05PM
“Typical capitalist action to turf out a heathly pastime for a money grabbing excercise.
I hope the future venture goes bust as soon as possible. As for the whining 'maggot drowners' well what a hopeless pastime to call 'sport'. Dangling a half dead insect into a muddy pool in the hope of dragging a live animal out to them throw back, after making a hole in ots jaw of course.”
by vandiesil
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 9:59AM
“It was only a matter of time really as the majority of the sailors did not respect other users of the facilities, especially the anglers who pay a significant amount more than the sailors do to use the water. I have been told when visiting the complex that the sailing club had been told multiple times since Mr Carney took over that anglers have priority and boats are to stay away and not interfere with them. Obviously this was not heeded by the sailing club and I have experienced them myself during the Olympics where they decided to operate what seemed to be a beginners session right over where I had been angling for the previous 12 hours. At one point I thought that I was going to have several thousand of pounds worth of rods broken by one boat that was completely out of control by the "sailor" who was under no supervision (took 15 minutes for the "rescue boat" to come and put them back on course!). I haven't even mentioned that the boats were repeatedly ramming the island as well, and they could not blame the wind for it as there was literally less than what you would breathe out!!! No apologies or acknowledgement of the problem was made by the sailors. This was not an isolated case either, and there has been many complaints put in about the sailors using the water by many other users of the water.”
by dogzz
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 9:32AM
“We used to love walking the dogs around the fishing and sailing lakes when attending agility shows at Asfordby. However that stopped abruptly when a number of walkers and their dogs were driven at by a 4x4 over one weekend, without any warning and with a number of frightening near misses. I hope whoever pays the extortionate amounts being asked for one of the cabins enjoys it. I for one wouldn't go anywhere near one, having experienced the kind of underhand intimidation that has led to them being built!”