Melton Mowbray Sailing Club told to leave Frisby Waterpark after 40 years

After 40 years of sailing at Frisby Waterpark near Asfordby, members of Melton Mowbray Sailing Club staged a protest at the weekend, as they removed belongings from the site, having been given 14 days notice to leave.

The site is currently being developed as Celtic Lakes Resort Frisby including course fishery and lakeside lodges. Some members of the Sailing Club believe they may be the victims of an ongoing controversy between developers and local walkers over footpath access around the site.

Club Commodore Mike Sharpe said:

• "It's a great tragedy. We are the only sailing club in the Borough. Two weeks ago we received an email giving us 14 days notice to leave."
  

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  "Only recently we had 80 people here trying sailing at an Olympic Legacy Open Day."

The club is now effectively mothballed, with Melton Borough Council and local businesses stepping in to offer storage facilities for the club's boats and equipment. Amongst options being considered for the future are finding another site in the Borough - although none have so far been identified as suitable - or merging with another Sailing Club outside the Borough. Alternatively the club may be forced to formally close.

Amongst those protesting was 8-year-old Martha, who'd only taken up sailing after watching the Olympic sailing at Weymouth. A boat also took the water with the plea 'Think Again Celtic Lakes. Local Families Need Active Sailing Here'.

Celtic Lakes declined to comment.