The new facility, Weir Quay Community Watersports (often referred to as the Hub Club), is vital because the Sailing and Gig clubs lost their old clubhouse when the lease ran out in 2009 making them homeless.
Despite an extension of use of the premises until September 2013, finally the clubs had to vacate and are now effectively homeless. This lack of boat storage and facilities will seriously jeopardise future participation by the community in water sports recreation at Weir Quay.
Vulnerable youth training programmes
Particularly vulnerable are the clubs’ extensive and well supported youth training programmes for which a convenient land base is essential. These programmes introduce young people from across our rural community to the skills and disciplines of gig rowing and sailing small craft.
Both clubs also play a key part in providing older members of the community with vigorous outdoor exercise, an essential for healthy living.
The Tamar and Tavy Gig Club has been going for over ten years, and Weir Quay Sailing Club is over 40 years old. The new watersports base will be of value to the whole Bere peninsula community who cherish the beauty and tranquillity of this tidal estuary. That is why we row and sail here and we expect it to be used occasionally by groups of local artists, wildlife watchers, historians and ramblers.
A site for Tamar & Tavy Gig Club and Weir Quay Sailing Club
A suitable site next to the only public access to the tidal Tamar in Devon has been offered. A deposit has been paid and the contract exchanged. An application for planning permission was made in July 2011, when the architect’s plans were finalised, club members had been consulted again, and the Board had signed it off. Money has since been raised to pay for the site and to develop the new facility. Planning consent was finally confirmed in Augaust 2013. read more
Faced with the crisis caused by the loss of their clubhouse in 2009 the two clubs formed a joint development committee with a remit to explore possible solutions.
From this came the proposal for a jointly owned watersports centre or ‘hub’ that would also be available to others in the local community who want to enjoy the peace and beauty of this area.
A not for profit company
A not for profit company was formed in November 2010. The development committee recommended the most appropriate legal body is a ‘not for profit company limited by guarantee’. This is now ‘Weir Quay Community Watersports Hub Club Limited’. An application to register as a charity was successful in June 2011. Read more
A comprehensive sites analysis of all possible locations and solutions was carried out. The best site was chosen taking into account availability, suitability and cost. Read more
Extensive consultation has demonstrated the widest support for this project. Read more
What’s in it For You?
What you will get out of the Weir Quay Community Watersports
The Hub Club is for the benefit of the community and to secure the future of the Tamar & Tavy Gig Club and Weir Quay Sailing Club.
There will be benefits to the wider local community. For example it is envisaged other local groups such as canoeists, artists, historians, birdwatchers and perhaps ramblers will wish to use it on an occasional basis.
Our Plans
Now that permission is granted, our plan envisages outdoor boat parking and a dry shed to house two gigs, sail boat training equipment and provide a very basic changing area along with toilets. A longer term plan is for a modest clubhouse to provide an indoor area/ meeting room for light refreshments, sail training lessons, winter talks and small social events.
These facilities are roughly the same size in area as the clubhouse and boat parking we lost. The whole project is designed to improve the security of the two clubs’ current activities, and the quality. It is not the intention or expectation that expansion will occur. It will significantly improve the current mess of boat parking on the foreshore, and provide better car parking.
If we do get to build a fit for purpose facility with toilets, showers and a meeting room we expect other community groups such as artists, local historians, bird watchers and ramblers may wish to make occasional use of it. read more about our plans
Raising funds is a challenge, especially in such difficult times for the economy as a whole. The Board aims to do this without incurring debts.
Pump priming grants to get the project to this stage have come from West Devon Borough Council (WDBC), Devon County Council (DCC) and the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Read more
