It is with much sadness  I report that Jeff crossed the finish line for the last time yesterday afternoon, A lifelong Merlin man he was 4th in the 1975 Weymouth Champs and 3rd in the 1976 Whitstable Champs and was a major player in the Bristol Corinthian Merlin scene when that was a force to be reckoned with both on and off the water. He had an unerring ability of sourcing Championship hotels where the bar never closed - even if he had to run it himself!
Many sympathies to Lyndy and his family -  they, like many of us will treasure wonderful memories, possibly with a nip of Bells in hand,  of a true gentle man

One of the crew, a very good bloke indeed.

Jeff was a great chum ever since I first met him when I joined BCYC in 1972 and one of the characters who induced me to move into the class.  As Scottie remarks, BCYC was one of the top Merlin clubs at the time and Jeff was a regular campaigner, in later days with his faithful crew Tony Hewitt, also sadly no longer with us.  In those carefree days, after sailing the Merlin fleet used to take turns to fill the famous half-gallon jug with beer which was then consumed using half pint glasses, which had the advantage of being impossible to keep account of.  He had an enviable and extraordinary capacity for consuming alcohol without apparently being in the least affected and when one evening after a particularly heavy session he gave me a brisk lift home across the Somerset levels in fog so thick one could hardly see the end of the bonnet, I was convinced that he must have also possessed some miraculous inbuilt homing instinct.  
To quote his own words when handed a glass: "God bless you Sir".  May Jeffrey be the blessed one now.  My thoughts are with Lyndy and the family.
  

Jeff's funeral is to be held at noon on 30th December at Yeovil Crematorium . Pandemic restriction limits the numbers able to attend however there will be a webcast. The details are as follows:
 
Service Chapel - Chapel - Yeovil
Website -  https://www.obitus.com/
Username -  Fapa3978 
Password - 335894
Webcast = Live Webcast
 
You  are advised to login prior to test the connection however you will only be able to view the live Webcast approx. 5 minutes before the service starts. Please be aware that this is a public building and the timing of the live webcast is semi- automated to allow for services running early or late - please use your discretion if you can see activities applicable to the service you are here to watch.
 
 Lyndy plans a celebration of Jeff's life as and when the restrictions are lifted - in the meantime she has asked you raise a glass during the webcast. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Really sorry to hear the news. Jeff always made time for a chat / family catch up
 
I vividly remember the Weymouth Champs staying at the Roundhouse. I didn't get much sleep!
 
Always lovely to see 2623 Chuft as well because my dad was sailing sister Satisfaction Baccarat at the time.
 
Love to Lyndy and family, Jeff was a true gent.