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Tom Lance |
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Sad news. Tom Lance of Shoreham has died aged 87 years. He had a long and very interesting life, you will see his name featured in the champs record book in the 50's and 60's. He was an exceptional character and had a wonderful 'gift of the gab'. In 1947 he persuaded the members of S.M.Y.C. Brighton (his father was a member and Olympic Gold medallist) to put up the money to buy 5 merlins. Timber was rationed in those post war days and Jack Holt could only build one (Toms). The others were built by a furniture factory who had access to the wood. Having done the easy part he then had to find crews to sail them. With his enthusiasm and salesmanship, being a car salesman by trade, he soon persuaded likely lads and founded our dinghy section on the River Adur. The club has continued from those days, and we owe him a great debt. Unfortunately the club is no longer an exclusive Merlin Rocket club, much to his regret and mine. He was a past World Model Yacht Champion, won in USA. He was also a great Spitfire pilot, who then trained others and so survived the war. After retiring from Merlins, old age got to him eventually, he continued model yachting and not many years ago he won the British three man team title with his grandson and son, some feat. William and myself have the task of scattering his ashes off Shoreham which he would have thought most appropriate. Alan Warren |