A Brief History of BLYM

There are records of sailing on Bury Lake since the 1930's. The original users, Rickmansworth Sailing Club, moved to another lake, so in 1960 Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) Education Department set up a schools sailing base at Bury Lake. HCC provided the funding and staffing to operate the base, but in the public expenditure cuts of 1982 this support was withdrawn. Rather than see the base close, a group of supporters, comprised mainly of teachers, youth leaders and parents formed a voluntary organisation to take over.

Thus, Bury Lake Young Mariners came into being. Approval from the Charity Commission meant BLYM became a registered charity number 286611. A management committee was formed, and a lease to use the base at the Aquadrome was signed with the landlords, Three Rivers District Council. Schools continued to use the base and a programme of courses and activities was initiated.

Picture: BLYM in the 1930's

Whilst the club operated successfully, the level of use was not sufficient for BLYM to be fully viable. Particular difficulty was found in raising the funds needed for capital investment in new boats and equipment as the original stock began to wear out.

More recently the committee has endeavoured to open up BLYM to a wider section of the community, including all types of youth groups, families and individual young people. The programme of courses and activities has been expanded dramatically. BLYM now offers the full programme of RYA dinghy and powerboat courses, regattas and special events, and expeditions to larger water and coastal venues. A youth committee runs additional activities. Active fund raising initiatives have resulted in the establishment of a high quality fleet and facilities ashore, which continue to improve each year. Arrangements have been made with major manufacturers for BLYM members to purchase specialist clothing and chandlery at significant discount.

In 2001, the club passed a motion to become a company limited by guarentee. This new company was lying dormant for 2 years whilst the remaining administrative proceedures were being set up.

BLYM has recently completed registration with companies house to become BLYM Ltd (Registered company 4389344). This change is designed to afford the members and trustees greater financial protection in todays increasingly letigious society. The charities commission has granted the new Bury Lake Young Mariners Limited a new charity number of 1102162. This change will not effect the day to day running of the organisation, and should be entirely transparent to all members and customers. We are obliged, however, to provide a copy of several documents to all members and interested parties. These documents can be viewed (in Microsoft Word 97 format) by the links below:

BLYM articles of association

BLYM ammend memorandum of association

BLYM special resolution of the members

To mark this new era for the organisation, many publications have been given an extensive overhaul including this website and the courses brochure.

Watch this space for the next installment in the history of Bury Lake Young Mariners...