Some Sad News

It is with great sadness that I write the following, having received the news that John Apthorp died in his sleep on 10th July.

Unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to meet John Apthorp in person. When I became Commodore, I received a congratulatory email from John and an offer of help if needed, at any time. During my telephone conversations with John, he spoke very fondly of the times he had spent around Walton Backwaters and at WFYC.

As many of you will be aware, John has been a tremendous benefactor to the club over the years. John made contributions to the club during the rebuild, he gave financial support during the early stages of Covid enabling us to keep the staff. He has financed training dinghies, outboard motors for the support boats and other equipment. During Paul Burnage's tenure as Commodore, he and John had a discussion about the purchase of some training boats, Paul had mentioned hopefully, the purchase of two boats. John's response was "why don't I buy three, it will be much more fun". Lastly, it was John's ethos to encourage young people to have fun messing about in small boats on Walton Backwaters just as he had himself. His generosity and commitment to the club will ensure this continues and it will be his enduring legacy.

Peter Compton
Commodore