Chipstead Sailing Club was formed in 1953. The lake is man-made, created by the extraction of sand and gravel by the then owners Walter Smith & Co. Local Chipstead resident Edgar Russell was enthusiastic to sail on the water and with another local resident Dougal MacEchern gained permission from the company to form a sailing club.
Although sixteen people were interested in its formation only twelve people attended an inaugural meeting held on the 11th March 1953 at Home Farm, Chipstead. Of these sixteen people three decided not to join and three – Margaret and Norman Edwards and Sam Whiddett – remain members to the present day.
Douglas Stern, Managing Director of Walter Smith & Co. became the clubs first president and took a keen and often practical interest in its activities. Edgar Russell became club secretary and treasurer and Dougal MacEchern became commodore. Membership was restricted to local people and staff members of Walter Smith & Co. By the end of the first year the club had 24 members. By the end of December 1990 there were 704 members.
Contact Info
Address:
Chipstead Sailing Club, Chevening Rd, Riverhead, Sevenoaks TN13 2SD, United Kingdom
Phone: 44 1732 454875
Email: sailtraining@chipsteadsc.org.uk
Website: www.chipsteadsc.org.uk
