A living legacy - In recognition of Gordon and Jimmy Smallridge

We are delighted to receive a generous £1000 donation from Anne Martin (nee Smallridge) and her companion DIck Howard in memory of her late father, Gordon Smallridge a former TBSC Commodore, and mother Jimmy, who were part of the group who helped found the club in the early '60s. Anne and Dick have lived in Canada since the mid 1960's and Anne contacted the club last Autumn following her father and mothers recent passing. 

The money will support The Smallridge Living Legacy Fund - this will include the annual award of a the Smallridge Cup for the winner of the cadet series - awarded to Ethan Low as the inaugural winner at our Laying Up Supper at the end of last year. The fund will then be used to support longer term annual activities devoted to inspiring youngsters and supporting charities around sailing and all the good things related to being by the sea. 

Jimmy and Gordon Smallridge made Tankerton their home in 1956.  Gordon was a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy and saw service in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, serving on the Battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Repulse during World War 2.  He died in 2017 aged 100.  His wife, known affectionately throughout her life as Jimmy, was in the ATS and chose Tankerton for her post-war "Anchorage" after spending many happy holiday years here in her youth.  Jimmy died of Alzheimer's in 2019. 

For Jimmy, Tankerton Beach and the family hut was her life -- winter and summer.  She knew everyone and always had a watchful eye out for the youngsters as they paddled and sailed out to sea.  Gordon was a behind-the-scenes founding member of the Tankerton Bay Sailing Club and took on a stint as Commodore in the early growth of the organization.

Anne and Dick know that they would both be honoured to have this Legacy and Award named after them

The club and committee are indebted and delighted to receive this donation from Anne and DIck in memory of Gordon and Jimmy and will ensure the fund and trophy become part of the fabric of TBSC for many years to come.