TOPIC:

From: Richard Ayrton.
>
> Thought you would want to know and pass the information on within the
> Albacore community that dad passed away peacefully yesterday 6 June.
> He had not been able to sail his beloved Albacore since 2005, it was
> sold to Peter Fontes the following year, he remained fairly well until
> December 2012 when he suffered another stroke that left him very
> disabled and he never really recovered from it. His wife Mary passed
> away in 2009 following a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
>
> I still remember the various races where I was his crew, I never
> developed the passion for it that he had, the memories remain.
>
> Regards Richard Ayrton
>

From: Winsford Flash SC
Sent: 10 Jun 2013 07:06:39 GMT
Subject: KEN AYRTON

We have to announce, with some sadness, that Ken Ayrton, honorary member of the Club, died on 6th June.
Ken and his Mary joined the Club back in 1954 - when it was still called Northwich Sailing Club - some 18 years before mains electricity and water were laid on ! And they were both still actively participating in Club sailing and social activities in 2004 - fifty years after they first joined.
Although their first boat was a Firefly, they became enthusiastic Albacore owners and were stalwart members of the Albacore fleet. Despite some lean years during the 1980s (when only two or three Albacores qualified in the Points Series) Ken & Mary stayed true to the class. At one time, Ken owned three Albacores at the same time so that he was able to lend boats to others to sail. Over the years, Ken has been RYA Representative for the Albacore Association, on the International Committee of and a former Commodore of the Albacore Association. He was also an Official Measurer for a number of classes.
Ken would have been Commodore of the club many, many years ago but for the need, when he was already Vice Commodore, to have a brain operation - what he called "having a jubilee clip inserted in my head". Despite the seriousness of his illness and the operation, it really seemed no time at all before he was back on the water – and no less competitive.
During the Force 8 Trophy of 1991, which was sailed in Lasers. Ken capsized somewhere close to Number 3 and was standing waist deep holding the Laser. As Bill Gover sailed close to him, he called out: “I say - do you mind getting the rescue boat to come here. I’m up to my knees in this bloody mud.”
In 2000, when Ken was a mere 74 and Mary was - well, much younger – they sailed more handicap races and more points races than anyone else in the club. They competed in a staggering 73 points and handicap races that year – the club average for those who qualified that year was a mere 40 races (much lower if you include all those who didn’t qualify).
Since Mary died in 2009, Ken had been living at the Russets Nursing Home in Somerset. He was able to maintain some contact with the Club during Brian Herring's occasional visits to see him.

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sent on behalf of Winsford Flash Sailing Club

From: "WFSC"
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Cc:
Subject: Ken Ayrton's Funeral

Details for those who may want to attend.

Ken Ayrton, Funeral arrangements :- Monday 2.30pm 17th June 2013 at South Bristol Cremetorium, Bridgwater Road, Bedminster Down BS13 7AS and afterwards Richard and Helen Ayrton's house.


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sent on behalf of Winsford Flash Sailing Club

It's impossible to overstate the impact that Ken had on the Albacore class over the years. He worked tirelessly in just about every sphere in the management of the class and his helpfulness and enthusiasm was absolutely phenomenal. It's fair to say that the Class would not resemble it's current form (and indeed might even struggle to exist at all) without the work he put in.

I would have liked to go to the funeral, but given that it's tomorrow I'm afraid I'm not able to get there. If the family is reading this forum I'd like to pass on my condolences to them here!

Ken built/refurbished several Albs including my 7924 Molly Cool (last known owner at Kielder) which got me into the class and also to visit Winsford Opens on several occasions. Ken was a great ambassador for the Albacore class never to be forgotten.
My sad condolences to the family.

There will be a service of thanksgiving for his life that will take place on Saturday 27th July 2:00pm at St Mary’s Church, Nether Alderley Cheshire.

There will be refreshments in the Church Hall afterwards, the family have asked for an indication of numbers.