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Alex Chalmer's 90th birthday 13th August 2005 Radiosailing and the Secret of Eternal Youth |
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On Saturday 13th August 2005 members of the Levenhall Radio Yacht Club joined with the family of Alex Chalmers in a special lunchtime celebration to mark his ninetieth birthday. Alex is a remarkable individual who, despite his years, remains incredibly active in radiosailing and is a hugely valued member at the Levenhall club. Alex was already a member of Levenhall Radio Yacht Club when I joined in 1997 and at that time was already well into his eighties. Since then Alex seems barely to have changed. The passage of time has been marked by his birthday celebrations at the pondside each August – the consumption of birthday cakes, depicting Alex with yacht, baked by his grand-daughter – but this seems to have had little impact on his vigour. Alex remains our most reliable and enthusiastic participant in Saturday afternoon 1 metre racing. On a typical Saturday Alex is one of the first to arrive at the pondside for club racing, his car stuffed with boats and equipment. When others appear it is invariably to Alex that they turn for advice on the appropriate sails for the wind conditions, because he is already rigged and on the water. In the event of equipment failure Alex can usually provide a spare part or the necessary tools to effect a repair. Alex is responsible for the club starting tape, and his presence is vital for the smooth running of racing. As an experienced radiosailor Alex is a regular winner of club handicap events, his latest triumph being in the Hallgarth Shield in spring 2004. Although a fierce competitor Alex is always prepared to give up time to help those who may be having difficulties. He is also a great ambassador for radiosailing, taking trouble to explain what is going on to interested spectators, and often providing them with their first experience of handling a radio yacht. To celebrate Alex’s continuing and hugely valued contribution to radiosailing at the age of ninety, the Commodore of Levenhall RYC presented him with the Alex Chalmers trophy, an engraved tankard. From next year this trophy is to be awarded at an annual Levenhall regatta on the Saturday that falls nearest to August 13th (Alex’s birthday). To encourage the example set by Alex the winner of the regatta will be decided on the basis of a handicapping system that takes into account the age of competitors (details to be finalised within the next year). To complement the award of the trophy, Alex was also presented with his own personal sail number – 90 – as a visible and continuing reminder of this special celebration. |
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The speeches and presentations over, and it being a Saturday afternoon, Alex and the
Levenhall club members set off for some competitive 1 metre racing at Levenhall. Many
echoed the sentiment that they hoped they would be as active and involved in radiosailing as
Alex when they reached the age of ninety. Richard Ennos Secretary, Levenhall Radio Yacht Club |