Club History

1959 - 2013: 54 Years and still going strong ... in spite of "countless uncertainties, false hopes and disappointments" (Alan Frisby, 1980), Attenborough Sailing Club continues to thrive as its founder members intended, as a friendly, family orientated, grass roots club.

The Club was founded in 1959 as the International Combustion Sailing Club and sailed at Weston-on-Trent. Derek King, a founder member and Secretary of the club at that time has been good enough to recollect those early days in words and with photos. He recollects that in 1962, with the loss of depth of water due to the collapse of a weir, the members sought new water and approached Long Eaton Council with the view to sailing on the river at Trent Meadows. This was agreed and the move took place in 1962. At that time the members built brick changing rooms and also transported a wooden hut to the site which was used as the Clubhouse until 1972. Launching into the river was by means of a concrete ramp which served as an extensive landing stage. Signs of this can still be seen today.

In 1972, due to internal pressures placed upon International Combustion Ltd, an approach was made to change the administration and name of the Club to Long Eaton Sailing Club. The then Trent Gravel Company wished to extract gravel from further up stream and so cut a barge canal through the club. Against the wishes of the Attenborough Village Green Association, this forced the club to move to the Coneries Lagoon in 1981. With financial assistance from Broxtowe BC and the Sports Council a floating barge clubhouse was purchased for £9,268, fitted out by the members and opened on 14/07/84. These were turbulent times for the club and are further documented in "Battle for the Coneries" written by a former member who did much to ensure the future of the club at that time, Bob Burton.

In 1990 a security moat was dug and mounds were removed from the compound with the assistance of the Royal Engineers.

The name and club logo was changed to the Attenborough Sailing Club in 1998. Cemex and the Club finally signed a 21 year lease in October 2006 providing a more secure use of the Coneries. A fleet of 4 new RS Visions were also purchased at this time for use as club & training boats. Changing rooms and showers were added to the club along with a new in board diesel Committee boat in 2008.

The Club continues to enjoy a friendly atmosphere as it has done throughout its long history. The membership now stands at 135, which includes individual and family memberships as well as Sea Cadet and Scout groups, totalling over 265 members. Long may it continue to thrive.