Early history of Brighton Sailing Club

The earliest mention of the Club is the presence of a flag in a book of yacht and sailing club flags of 1896 (figure 1); this is labelled Lloyd’s Yacht Register and McCorquodale (there is now a printing company by this name).

This was found on eBay by Nick Driver in 2020, and the physical paper page was purchased.

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Figure 1 page of flags

It is planned to keep this in The Keep (a local secure archive building), with a printed copy in the Club main arch.

The information on the Brighton Club (figure 2) is clear: it was established in 1871. Its president (in 1896) was Mr Alderman Cox JP, the vice-presidents were Major Woodhead and JW Howlett Esq, and the secretary was Walter Woodhams Esq. For residents the entrance fee (presumably the joining fee) was  £3 3s 0d (3 guineas) and the annual subscription was two guineas. The flag appears to contain 2 green dolphins.

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Figure 2 Brighton Sailing Club flag and officers

 

The Keep is a local archive that has various documents on the early life of the Club. Jim Parrot visited on April 30th 2021 and photographed a lot.

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Figure 3 Club minutes book 1875-78

Click to view Jim’s photos

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Paul Tofts

May 8th 2021