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The Bill Mansfield Memorial Trophy sailied in aid of Sailability

Written by Janet Bulman

Many of our newer Club members may not know the origins of the race for this trophy, which is run around Midsummer every year.

Bill (my late husband) was a very keen sailor at Banbury SC from 1973 until his untimely death in 1996. Over the years he held various Club positions including Firefly Fleet Captain, Club Secretary, Tillergram Editor and Social Secretary. He was also one of the pioneers of training at BSC in the early nineties, helping to lay the groundwork which eventually led to the structure we have today. When Bill was struck down with disability he managed with dogged determination to carry on racing, even continuing to win a few pots. During this time he became interested in Sailability, an association set up in order to enable disabled people to sail, both in dinghies and on big boats.

After Bill's death I thought it would be a good idea to raise money for Sailability, as it is a charity that was close to his heart. The Committee kindly agreed to run an annual race as close as possible to the date of Bill's death, and our daughter Karen and myself provided a special trophy for the event. The first race was in 1997, and has run every year since. In 2002 I married Paul (who crews in a Merlin for Allen Busby), and he has given much support to this race.

As usual we shall be asking for donations from members for this race: I am very grateful to those who contribute so generously each year.

Sailability is a wonderful organisation which provides opportunities for people with all kinds of disabilities to sail, and every year the Club is able to send them a cheque with money raised on the race day.

Janet Bulman

Last updated 17:38 on 7 February 2024

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