BURNHAM-On-Crouch Mayor Vanessa Bell and Maldon District Council leader Wendy Stamp performed the opening ceremony duties at the new start hut at Creeksea Sailing Club on Saturday (7 August).

The new start hut replaced an older one that had become a well-known landmark for sailors, having stood overlooking the River Crouch for half a century.

Although completed in April, the club waited to officially open the new hut due to pandemic restrictions.

After the opening at 11am Cllr Bell and Cllr Stamp took a trip on a Hurricane 5.9 Catamaran up and down the river, helmed by Bruce Eveleigh and crewed by Alan Shrimplin.

Alan Shrimplin said: "This was not a sedate sail due to the winds and both ladies managed to show off skills out on the trapeze of the CAT.

"This goes to show not all civic duties include tea and cakes."

He added: "Both enjoyed the sail, and said they had never done anything like that in the past - they are good sports and the clubs commodore Eric Howe would like to thank them both for the time and joining in with the celebrations for the day."

For more information on the sailing club visit the Creeksea Sailing Club website using the link here.