The Jim Newbery Invitational race is run annually at Herne Bay Sailing Club for present and ex-members of the club. Jim was once Commodore and continued to be a figurehead for all that was good at the club for many years.
Jim was an inspirational figure who encouraged and taught many youngsters to sail at the club and was someone whom one could rely on to pull his weight. Even in his seventies, Jim could be seen helping to lay the club slipway each year whatever the weather whilst younger members often shirked this responsibility. The club prides itself on being a “Members club, run by the members for the good of the members”. He certainly was a great contributor to this cause.
At this time in our history when we see people in responsible roles only doing what they want, or only what benefits them, Jim was of the old school. If he said he would do something, then he would go through fire or high water to make sure that he did. He worked tirelessly for all sorts of charities, especially the R.N.L.I. which is associated with sailing, being just one of the many sports that he loved and gave so much of his time to.
It was wonderful to see members of the Newbery family coming back for this two-day event, which ended up with the sort of conditions that tested all who sailed. On the first day there was very little wind, the very same conditions in which Jim, himself used to excel when he sailed his mirror dinghy at Herne Bay. The second day saw a strong South-Westerly wind, which challenged the mixed handicap fleet with strong gusts causing many a capsize at the gybe mark. After two days of marvellous sunshine and great racing the overall winners of the Jim Newbery trophy for 2010 were the ‘Hogben Boys’, Dave and Matt.
Results
1st Dave/Matt Hogben – RS Vision
2nd Chris Brealy / Gary Danilewicz – Hornet
3rd Steve/ Jane Lee – Laser 2000
