Cornwall sailing club appeal to save future of Flushing home

Flushing Sailing Club has launched a last-ditch appeal to complete the funding of its proposed new home overlooking Falmouth Harbour. The club, currently housed in a small, decaying hut on New Quay, Flushing, has nearly 200 members and has built a reputation as a leading racing club in the port of Falmouth. Founded in 1921, it stages regular races and hosts sailing regattas as well as other events including a packed winter programme of talks and social events which are open for all to attend. The club house is also well used by community groups. The current hut, built in the 1960s, faces Falmouth across the Penryn River but the building only accommodates around 60 people and is regularly overcrowded. It has also recently begun to leak and can not be made to meet today’s minimum standards of accessibility and energy efficiency. In consultation with Cornwall Council club members have come up with an ambitious plan to replace the old hut with a spectacular new building that will serve sailing in the port for another hundred years. Work is scheduled to begin on the project, which has been designed by Falmouth architects CAD, in the next few weeks and could be complete as soon as May next year, in time for the club’s 100th anniversary celebrations. The project is being financed thanks to the fundraising efforts of a small group of supporters keen to see sailing in the port taken to a new level. In a colossal effort they have raised most of the £430,000 needed for the ambitious project from membership fees, a grant from the Sports Council and the generosity of individual donors. The planned demolition day is approaching rapidly but they are tantalisingly short; needing to raise an additional £60,000 to be able to complete the works. Club commodore, Gaye Slater, said: “The existing building has served us well but it bulges at the seams and cannot be adapted to meet the needs of the future. “We need a new facility to enable us to run for the next hundred years as well as serve the local community while making the most of this stunning location. “We have raised most of the money but we need the help of a few more supporters to help us get over the line.” To donate to the project visit: www.flushingsailingclub.co.uk/appeal.htm The club is appealing to businesses and supporters who would like to help make this building a reality. A range of sponsorship and donation options are available. Donors will have their names on display in the new building.