It is with great sadness that I have to report that Roger Pritchard, Past Commodore, passed away on Friday 14th April. Very few of todays DWSC members will have known Roger but the club would not be what it is today without the efforts of those early members and we pass our condolences to his wife Val and his family.

Roger and Val were members of the club from day one when the Club came into existence at the Benn Memorial Hall Rugby, and were members of the first committee of movers and shakers that got things done.

At weekends, before the reservoir was full and the clubhouse built, Roger could be found standing on the shore, up to his ankles in black mud, organising the racing with Val dispensing tea and coffee from a builders hut in the car park.

Roger was the fourth Commodore of the Club being elected in 1975, his term of office finishing in 1977. During his term of office Roger continued the work of the three previous Commodores, always supported by Val, laying the foundations for the club that developed to the one we enjoy today. Roger and Val continued to be active members of the club, Roger being a very successful and well known Fireball sailor and Val sailing a GP14.

Eventually their private life took them away from the area and the club, the last 25 years living on the Hamble. Roger never lost his passion for sailing, sailing his yacht and becoming a respected member of the Royal Southern Yacht Club.

Roger and Val never forgot their time at Draycote, visiting as often as they could, the last time being the 50th anniversary of our club when they joined a group of past Commodores in celebration.

Roger and Val have made many friends in the sailing world and Roger will be sorely missed.

Harry Sayers. Vice President