AN INSPIRATIONAL Droitwich sailor was bristling with pride after receiving one of the Royal Yachting Association’s most prestigious prizes from HRH The Princess Royal.
Pete Webby, of Upton Warren Sailing Club, was honoured with an RYA Lifetime Commitment Award by sailings national governing body.
This recognition comes after more than 30 years of service to the club where he has contributed significantly by holding numerous senior committee positions.
Among those include Dinghy Instructor, Senior Instructor and Powerboat Instructor which has seen him help many people gain qualifications and progress in the sport.
Pete, who has also been an active volunteer at Worcestershire School Sailing and Canoeing Association (WSSCA) for many years, said he was delighted to pick up the award from Princess Anne.
“I am very proud I have had my efforts recognised,” he said. “The volunteering I do has not been done for any reward, there are many others similarly committed who are also deserving of appreciation.
“The club has been almost my second home since retiring. I have made many lasting friendships at the club and sailing is a very satisfying pastime as each time you are out on the water there are different problems and magic moments.
“All our members encourage those less skilled with helpful advice on boat maintenance and repair as well as guidance for them to improve the various aspects of sailing.
“Sailors, as a norm, seem to want to help others improve, even if it means they will eventually be beaten by them at racing.”
The father-of-three moved to Droitwich in 1979 and a few years later his wife saw an advert in the local paper offering sailing courses at the former Bromsgrove Tech College.
He started a course, learning to sail at Upton Warren, and through his tutor, Pete, has enjoyed big boat sailing throughout the UK and Europe, including up the East Coast on a Thames Barge.
One of his most satisfying recent roles has been working with Upton Warren SC and site operator Aztec, with funding support from Sport England, to make the site more inclusive and encourage more people of all abilities – able and less able bodied – to sail.
Pete was nominated for his award by Upton Warren and the WSSCA and selected as a winner by the RYA Awards panel.
Duncan Truswell, sport development manager at the Royal Yachting Association, said: “The RYA Volunteer Awards are our opportunity to say ‘thank you’, on behalf of clubs and associations that affiliate to the RYA, to their volunteers, the people that really make a difference to help people get afloat.
“It’s our opportunity to take a bit of time out to appreciate the commitment these individuals make to the sport in helping people get afloat safely and enjoyably.”
