RIP JOHN

The Committee and members of the LRYSA are saddened to hear of the passing of John Buckingham.  John was one of the founders of the LRYSA along with John Saunders and our current chair Colin Magee.  At the time sailing was just for the wealthy and privileged, John wanted to make sailing, canoeing, and other water sports accessible and affordable to the whole community with a focus primarily on the young. The Leicestershire Schools Sailing Association (as we were known then) was created in 1967 through his work with the Outdoor Pursuits Department at County Hall.  John and the other founders set to work begging and borrowing boats and equipment to set up a watersports centre at John Merrick's Lake in Watermead Country Park where it is still based today. Over the years, thousands of young people and adults have benefited from Johns inspiration. For many years John was senior coach and chairman of the LRYSA supporting and developing our activities throughout Leicestershire. 

John was also a dear friend with a wonderfully cheeky sense of humour and compassion for the less fortunate.  Our thoughts and sympathy go to his widow Helen and his family at this sad time.

Read more about John on the RYA website here