It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mike Clarke, one of the club’s early members and a highly competitive Merlin Rocket sailor back in the day. His funeral took place at North Herts Crematorium on Monday 14th May and was attended by many club members. He was 85 and had been suffering from dementia.

In his eulogy, Chris Clarke (Mike’s son) reminisced: “He introduced both Andrew and myself to sailing – with many a Saturday morning being spent at Stanborough lakes doing our best to race against others. With Michael coaching us from the bank – telling us to ‘tack’, ‘gybe’ – or just not be so stupid! Typical Michael! He wanted to get the best from everyone.

“Michael’s pride and joy was his Merlin Rocket – a beautiful wooden boat finished to the standard of a grand piano. He loved sailing and racing it, but with ever-increasing problems with his knees, he became one of the founder members of ‘The Mouse Club’ – a branch of Welwyn Garden City Sailing Club who chickened-out from sailing when it was too windy, too cold, not enough wind, or if they were just too old!

“The Mouse Club thought of themselves more as a coffee-drinking advisory body, who were only too keen to give sailing advice to those racing. After one member, Sheila Stowe, had suffered from multiple capsizes on a windy morning, Michael saw her standing on the centreboard of the capsized boat struggling to right it. As the sail came up from the water, Michael shouted ‘Get your leg over Sheila!’ It was greeted by much merriment …. Michael adored the club and the fantastic crowd of people, and even in his later years, the Mouse Club was the highlight of his week.”

Dave Campbell has been looking at the club’s sailing records and trophies and has come up with some interesting facts. “All Mike’s racing was in Merlin Rocket 2932. Initially, Andy was his crew, and later, Chris. Eventually, they both began to appear as the registered helms in the Rocket and Mike’s name disappears from the lists after 1979. Andy and Chris moved in to single handers (Int Moth and OK). Mike’s main competitors were Jim Godfrey and Alan Jackson, both sailing Merlin Rockets.”

Club trophies record Mike’s winning results:

Winter 1975. Merlin Wooden Tiller Trophy

Summer 1976. Fast handicap 3rd, Merlin Rocket

Winter 1976. Merlin Wooden Tiller Trophy

Spring 1977. Fast Handicap Nabisco Spring Cup

Regatta 1977. Burgee race 1st

Summer 1977. Fast Handicap S K and F Cup

Winter 1978. Merlin Silver Pig Trophy

Spring 1979. Fast Handicap 1st

Regatta 1979. Pursuit Trophy 2nd

When Barry Leake heard the news, he emailed: “I remember Mike well and his two sons who were also ace sailors. When I was eleven years old the family, including Mike and his sons, were the bench mark. Certainly inspired me!”

A fun fact that emerged during Chris Clarke’s eulogy at the funeral, was that “when Mike was Deputy Headmaster at Brook House School in Hackney, he always looked to see the potential in others. One such student by the name of Sugar – Alan Sugar (an enterprising lad destined to become Lord Sugar) had an idea that the school should buy a printing press to produce its monthly magazine. Michael agreed to the purchase – and for Alan, the rest is history.”

Even when Mike’s sailing days were over, he continued to be a strong supporter of the club, and was more than happy to help out with duties, or give a word of friendly advice.

He will always be remembered as a great stalwart of the club.

A selection of photos of Mike and his fellow members down at the lake: