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Mike Taylor |
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On Sunday, 1st December 2002 while leading in the afternoon race,
Mike Taylor suffered a sub-arachnoid haemorrhage whilst he was helming his Merlin Rocket,
3384. He toppled into the water and was recovered by the duty crew with the help of
his crew and a young Laser sailor who was close behind. Mike was taken by ambulance
to the Horton Hospital in Banbury and subsequently that night to the Neurology ITU at
the John Ratcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Despite the excellent treatment which he received,
Mike suffered two further brain haemorrhages and died on Sunday, 15th December. Mike had been a member of Banbury Sailing Club since the mid 70s and had held many positions in the Club culminating in being Commodore in 1992/93. His sailing started in Fireflies, he subsequently moved into Merlin Rockets becoming Class Captain at the Club in 1994 and was heavily involved in the Club's training programmes. Those who have come along to the Silver Tiller meetings at Banbury will remember the cheerful welcome that he always gave to visitors. Yachts sailing was also one of his passions. He was the founder, leader and moving force behind the Banbury Offshore Group which from small beginnings in the early 90s now as a result of Mike's efforts takes upwards of 30 club members away offshore every year. He had also skippered for some years the Club's annual Round The Island Race. In his spare time when he was not sailing, Mike, who was trained as an engineer, ran his own design consultancy which worked for many leading UK and international companies. He believed that products should not only have good form but also function well and he was the holder of a number of product patents. The Club benefited greatly from his design and engineering expertise as he was responsible for a whole range of construction work at the club. When club members sit enjoying a drink in the sun on his crowning achievement, the verandah at the front of the clubhouse, we will remember Mike and his passion for sailing. Richard Turner |