Weir Quay Community Watersports (the Hub Club) now has the new facility arising from Sailing and Gig Clubs losing their old clubhouse when the lease ran out and the Clubs became homeless in September 2013. Land was purchased to enable the start of the dig-out in the late autumn 2015. The new Dinghy & Gig Park at Weir Quay was officially opened on Sunday June 12th 2016.
Youth training programmes:
Particularly successful are the Clubs’ extensive and well supported youth training programmes that are now making full use of the Dinghy & Gig Park. The Clubs run programmes that introduce young people from across our rural community to the skills and disciplines of gig rowing and sailing in 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 rowing since the early ’00’s and Weir Quay Sailing Club celebrated its 50 year anniversary in 2016. 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 attracts us to row and sail here. The Hub Club hopes to welcome groups of local artists, wildlife watchers, historians and Ramblers. please contact us if you share these interests.
A site for Tamar & Tavy Gig Club and Weir Quay Sailing Club
A suitable site next to the only Public Hard river access to the upper, tidal Tamar in Devon was offered. Planning permission was sought in July 2011, when the architect’s plans were finalised. Generous donations have paid for the site and to develop the new facility. Planning consent was finally confirmed in August 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’. We were charity registered [# 1142195] 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?
How can you benefit from 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. The benefits to the wider local Community include local groups such as canoeists, artists, historians, birdwatchers and perhaps ramblers can apply to use it on an occasional basis. There is a plan to install a Defibrillator on the Boathouse and there is First Aid equipment on site.
Our Plans
The plans to create an outdoor boat park and Boathouse to house two gigs and sail training equipment are now finished. We will fit-out the changing areas and toilets as soon as funds permit. There is 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 an improvement upon the previous clubhouse and boat park. The whole project is designed to improve the security and the quality of the two clubs’ current activities.
Now that we have built a fit-for-purpose facility [soon with toilets, showers and a meeting room] we expect other community groups such as artists, local historians, bird watchers and ramblers 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
