Sad news Ken Ellis has passed away, past chaiman, national champion and RYA stalwart. I am not aware of any details but felt all should be made aware.

Thanks William. What sad news for Sue and his two sons and for all of us who knew Ken. 

Ken and I were both born on the 11th August 1936 and I talked to him a couple of days before our 70th birthday. He said he wasn't well but I didn't realise how seriously. Ken was a great family man, a wonderful friend, a competent helmsman and twice a Merlin Rocket championship winning crew with Brian Ellis (no relation). 

If anyone has information about Ken's funeral please let us know.

How sad to hear that Ken has gone. Great competitor in the Merlins and lately in the Etchells. He will be missed by all at the RYA and by all his old sailing friends.

Funeral info circulated at the RYA today:

A service to celebrate Ken’s life will be held on Monday 2 October at 2.30 pm in St Paul’s Church, Chipperfield, Hertfordshire. This will be followed by afternoon tea in the village hall to which all attending will be most welcome.  The family has requested that no black ties be worn.  No flowers.  Any donations to RYA Sailability please.  

Apparently the church is easy to find - near the village green, not far from the "Two Brewers" public house.

I was only thinking of Ken while following the Bacarat thread.  Ken used to do a horizon job most weeks when he sailed her at Aldenham.  The constant challenge to a group of young Merlin sailors was to try and beat him, which we rarely (if ever) did.  Most of us are still racing 30 years on, and I suspect that that time had something to do with it.

I have great memories of Ken not just as a sailor but as a man.

There may be some confusion about the time of the service for Ken next Monday because the Telegraph announcement said 2.00 pm whereas the RYA website says 2.30 pm. I've talked to Anne Chewins at the RYA who confirms that the correct time is 2.30 pm.