Ullswater Yacht Club is planning diamond celebrations for the 60th Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy on July 2 and 3. 2022 is a special Birkett year as it is also the 60th anniversary of the death of Lord Norman Birkett the 'Saviour of Ullswater'.
The iconic long distance event was established by the club in honour of Lord Birkett who died in 1962, two days after making a successful speech in the House of Lords which prevented Ullswater from becoming a reservoir.
After postponement in 2020 and a limited entry number of 160 in 2021, this year the full Birkett is back with 230 boats and online entry is now open.
Victoria Cliff Hodges, Lord Norman Birkett's granddaughter who is an enthusiastic supporter, will be attending the weekend.
"The club is proud to welcome Victoria to the Birkett and to have Waitings on board as main sponsors for this important weekend," said Commodore Kathryn Hall. "It is more than just a sailing race but a celebration of the beauty of Ullswater which we are all able to enjoy."
Booking for the event, catering all weekend and camping/campervans on site (no caravans) is now open online via the special Birkett website at www.ullswaterycbirkett.org
Non-racers can also get a piece of the on-the-water action on a special three-hour Birkett Cruise organised by Ullswater 'Steamers'. Passengers on the exclusive charter will board at Pooley Bridge Pier at noon on Saturday, July 2, and the steamer will stand by off the UYC clubhouse so that they can experience the drama of the 1pm mass start by 230 boats on a line which stretches the full width of the lake. A UYC member will give a commentary as the steamer follows the fleet.
The racing boats make for a spectacular sight all along the lake, for anyone wanting to watch the race from the shore, the start times are 1pm on Saturday, July 2, and 11am on Sunday, July 3."
Book for the Birkett Cruise direct with the steamer company at www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk/events/birkett-trophy-cruise tel 017684 82229.
No comments:
Post a Comment