Messages

Originally owned by David Parker of Burton SC. This boat stood little used in the dinghy park at Branston for many years until Mick Eastough acquired her in 1976 I think. He sailed her at the club and did Weymouth Burton Week in 1977 (crewed by Wendy Shreeve).

I will give Mick Eastough a call and see if he has any photos of N3028 from his time sailing her at Branston and Foremark Resv. Also, if he can make a reunion at TVSC (I think he is based near London these days). Hopefully we will both be able to sail in a 12 again!:)

I remember this boat from my Burton SC days at Branston gravel pit 1972-78. Very well maintained and varnished throughout. She was sailed very competitively every Sunday by Geoff and Inga Shreeve until they traded up to a GRP Paper Dart (N2821 'Riptide') in late-1974. Geoff and Inga were long-time members of Burton SC and I believe they sailed on the Trent at Drakelow Deeps before the club moved to Branston in the 1950s.

Sorry got the dates wrong! Sold N3032 Rumours to Ulley SC member autumn-1980 in order to buy N3069 'Street Legal' from John Sears. Last Burton week that I sailed Rumours was Whitstable 1980; crewed by Dr Martin Butler - 9th place Burton Cup race (light airs).

Legend indeed! Mick's band played a few gigs at Branston clubhouse - must have been later 1976 or 1977? Mick Eastough on lead guitar, Pete Wainwright on bass and Paul Rhodes on drums. I remember the 'rhythm guitar' now you mention it - an old Gibson SG copy, maple, varnished .... no strings on the night. The bass guitar was my short-scale model which Mick and I purchased for £25 from Ken Yates secondhand shop on Waterloo Street, Burton in 1975. It looked terrible although the sound was pretty good. I still have it although you wouldn't recognise it now that it has been professionally 'done up' - actually a 1968 Watkins model and very rare (I could post image in my gallery under guise of a new rudder design for a 12 or something). I think that Mick and the band still meet up for the occasional 'strum'; possibly in/ around Marchington. Sailing at TVSC for a reunion would be a good way to catch up and remember those halcyon days; except that I don't have a boat and my crew is very reluctant to elave dry land!:-/

First N12 I ever sailed in! Crewed for John Sears in one of Burton SC's Wednesday night h'cap races summer 1972. John took the boat to TVSC when he finished at Repton. Richard Watson bought her back to Burton in 1974 and had a lot of success in her - both at Branston and around the Midland circuit. Am sure that he won North-West Norfolk week in her either 1975 or 1976. Hull was a dark blue colour with name outlined in white on the rear quarters.

Could be wrong but I think that this Legal was built new for Dave Peacock?

I purchased Street legal from John Sears at the end of 1980. Sailed her 1981-82 at Foremark Resv. then took up sailing Scorpions. Street legal was sold to someone at Aldenham SC at the end of 1982 - sorry can't remember name!

Am fairly certain that this boat was built new for Clive Robinson and sailed at Tynemouth Burton in 1979. Original finish was dark blue hull with a couple of thin white parallel stripes. She always looked immaculate. Clive sailed her a few times at Foremark Resv. before he got into 5o5s.

Built new for Richard Colley. Sailed at TVSC and around the open circuit. White painted hull if my memory serves me correctly.

This was Tony Edwards' boat - sailed at Nottingham SC.

Tony Merrick's new boat and sailed at Burton SC until end-1978. I think that he named her 'Rael' after Peter Gabriel's hero in Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, as he was heavily into Genesis at the time! No idea what happened to the boat after the club moved up to Foremark Resv. early-1979.

Tony Merrick and his crew 'Nash' (both ex. Repton) brought this intriguing boat down to Burton SC (Branston) at the end of 1973. She was sailed there at least up until end-1976 and maybe later, until Tony bought a new Paper Dart. Boat was painted a medium blue with varnished decks and interior.

Happy Landing was Charles & Betty Birkin's 12 at Burton SC when I joined in 1972. She was varnished throughout back then and always looked immaculate. I think that W&C must have built the boat for them. Sailed her a couple of times at Branston and always a match for my 'Doll N2606. Not sure where she went after 1979 when the club moved up to Foremark Resv?

Riptide was built for Geoff Shreeve and sailed at Burton SC (Branston) from 1974-78. Geoff didn't move up to Foremark Resv. when the club left Branston at the end of '78, so I think that the boat must have gone to Staunton Harold with Tim & Wendy Gray (Wendy was Geoff's daughter).