Two Lincolnshire sailors will receive one of the Royal Yachting Association’s most prestigious awards from HRH the Princess Royal, President of the RYA, next month in recognition of their huge contribution to the sport.
Howard Nelson, from South Witham near Grantham, and Girton Sailing Club’s Richard Woodhurst will be honoured with RYA Regional and RYA Outstanding Contribution awards respectively at sailing’s national governing body’s annual awards ceremony in London on Friday 21 November. 
Howard has been pivotal in the growth in popularity of sailing across the East Midlands over the past 20 years not only in helping to drive participation for all through his involvement in Hykeham SC, the Lincoln and District Sailing Association (LDSA), Hykeham Sailability and Lincolnshire Scouts but also in his 11 year tenure on the RYA East Midlands regional committee including five years as Chair.
Richard, meanwhile, is one of Girton SC’s unsung heroes. Since joining the club in 2001, he has put in countless hours of voluntary work, including as a dinghy instructor, and can be found at Girton several days a week, maintaining the clubhouse and its facilities. This year, aged 78, he decided the clubhouse, built from old wartime prefabs, looked a little drab so personally gave the exterior a makeover.
Both men were nominated for their awards and selected as a winner by the RYA Awards panel. They will enjoy a celebratory lunch in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, and be presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate.
Howard, who learnt to sail at Ruston SC, now Hykeham SC, in Lincoln with his dad, said: “I am very proud to receive this award. Sailing has given me so much not least the opportunity to help others learn to sail and meeting my wife, Michelle!
“Sailing is such a great sport to be involved in because you’re outdoors, with great people and you cannot beat the sound of the boat cutting through the waves using just the natural elements to propel you.”
As well as his roles within Lincolnshire, Howard has also held key posts at Tonbridge Town SC in Kent, Hollowell SC in Northamptonshire and Longridge Scout Boating Centre in Buckinghamshire. He has been Treasurer at Rutland SC since 2012.
Roger Day, current RYA East Midlands Chair who nominated his predecessor, said: “What makes Howard exceptional is the depth of his involvement all in his own time and often at his own cost.”
For more information about the RYA Volunteer Awards visit www.rya.org.uk or to find out more about boating in Lincolnshire visit www.rya.org.uk/regions/eastmidlands
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