Llyn Brenig Sailing Club 1977-1984
Llyn Brenig was opened by Prince Charles on 21 December 1976. It is located
about 1680 feet above sea level on Mynydd Hiraethog, is about two and a half
miles long, and one mile wide, and cost about twelve million pounds to construct.
It is about one hundred feet deep near the outlet tower, has a surface area
of one thousand acres and together with Bala, Llyn Celyn and Alwen forms a regulatory
system to control the flow in the River Dee
The enactment permitting the construction of Brenig stipulated that certain facilities including sailing should be provided and in 1974 a steering committee was formed with a sub-committee to consider setting up a sailing club.
After a public meeting in January 1977 a steering committee was appointed to form Llyn Brenig Sailing Club. This committee was given to understand that whatever it required would be financed by the Water Authority, but the site of the new club was fixed by Denbighshire County Council as Planning Authority. It was to be located on the west side of the 'Brenig Arm', the small inlet where the Brenig stream enters the lake (the old slip way, clubhouse hard standing, and boat park are still in place today) as part of a large recreational complex which would also house the administrative centre, educational facilities and restaurant. The site was chosen to make all developments as unobtrusive as possible and to keep buildings well hidden to avoid any detrimental impact on the wild natural beauty of the area.
The new steering committee was not happy with site allocated for the club, because only a small area of the lake could be seen, and this posed serious safety hazards. Members of the nearby Llyn Aled Sailing Club who were invited to sail on the lake said that whilst the sailing was excellent, the proposed location for the clubhouse was unfortunate, and potentially hazardous.
The Planning Authority was not prepared to consider any other site, but agreed that a lookout tower should be built at the end of the Brenig Arm, together with a new access road through the forest. They felt that this would meet the necessary safety requirements.
Work proceeded on this basis (except that neither the recreational centre nor the look-out tower was built), and a great deal was achieved. A portacabin, to serve as a temporary club house, was provided, together with a boat park and a tarmac launching ramp which extended about a quarter of a mile across the lake to meet the slowly rising waters.
The objectives of the new club were defined as follows, and remain substantially
unchanged today:
1. To provide facilities for sailing for enjoyment, whether racing or sailing
about the lake.
2. To welcome absolute beginners.
3. To encourage families to join the club and enjoy themselves.
4. To provide training in sailing and use of the safety boats.
The club's inaugural meeting was held on 11 May 1977,and Roy Archer who had been chairman of the steering committee was elected as the first commodore. A club burgee was adopted which incorporates the shape of a pre-historic urn uncovered during archaeological digging on the reservoir site.
As time went by it became apparent that the choice of site was indeed ill conceived, and hazardous. Without a tower most of the lake could not be seen by race organizers and safety crew; boats sailed out of the inlet, and that was about all that spectators saw of the race until they returned in an hour or so. In addition the site was too small to accommodate a viable club house with adequate boat and car parking space.
If the club was to survive, let alone flourish and expand, it became apparent that a move to a new site would have to be made.
This was the situation which faced Peter Lewis, when he became commodore in l980. In effect it was as though the club had to start all over again by negotiating afresh with the water authority and the planners for a new site with very little prospect of any financial help.
Nevertheless, the inappropriateness of the original site was at last accepted by the authorities, and a move was made to the present site in the spring of 1981. The
new site made use of old Denbigh road as a slipway and was much better in every respect.
.The
nexturgent need was to replace the temporary portacabin with a permanent clubhouse.
This was a huge and courageous step to take, and reflects great credit on the
club members. Grants for 75% of the cost were received from the Sports Council
for Wales and the Local Authorities. The remaining 25%came from club members.
The nexturgent need was to replace the temporary portacabin with a permanent clubhouse. This was a huge and courageous step to take, and reflects great credit on the club members. Grants for 75% of the cost were received from the Sports Council for Wales and the Local Authorities. The remaining 25%came from club members.
Work started on the new clubhouse in September 1983 and was substantially completed in time for the new season in l984. Much of the work was done by club members. An official opening ceremony was held on 7th July l984. Sqn Ldr. Ray Thilthorp of R.A.F. Valley was invited to cut the official ribbon- he arrived by helicopter and was dropped into the lake. The weather was perfect, and it was a most memorable day.
Since then two further major extensions and improvements to facilities have been carried out at the club; it continues to achieve its original objectives and gives a great deal of pleasure to a great many people. Long may it continue.
Tom Harries