George Matthews 1930-1994

by Norman Bagshaw

 

Everyone has their own favourite story about George. He was hugely respected as a sailor, where he had no equals, but many will remember the way he made everyone feel they mattered and were welcome, even the youngest first-timer. And who can ever forget the way he led the singing . . .

George was one of our first members coming from the Alderman Newton's Grammar School, Leicester and at the age of eleven he was on the first cruise with Cecil and Bert and continued to sail for many years afterwards.

George qualified as a schoolmaster and started his career as a P.E. teacher. He worked in Jamaica for a number of years returning to take charge of sailing for the London Borough of Newham based at Heybridge Basin on the Blackwater Estuary. In the early 1970's he moved to Ireland to become Head of an Outdoor Pursuits Centre at Ardnabannon in the Isles of Mourne. He returned to work in London for a brief spell before taking charge of the Sharpness Centre where he spent considerable energy in its development but which ultimately proved to be the last years of his career.

During his time at Heybridge Basin, he not only taught many pupils how to sail but many of their teachers as well, training them to become qualified instructors. From there he organised annual sailing cruises for both children and adults on the Broads and he was admired for his expertise and perfectionism. During this time he met Norman Bagshaw and was instrumental in encouraging the purchase of Valkyrie for the Dockland Settlements introducing many children from the East End to Broads sailing.

He enjoyed racing and in our own informal regattas he was always well to the fore. He took part in numerous other regattas and twice won the Three Rivers Race in Golden Moon.
George was our youngest skipper, after a couple of years he took out a party of boys on a Club cruise. He was also one of our best skippers and won the Skipper's Trophy outright. He became a Rear-Commodore and boys asked to sail on his boat. His share in the social life of our Club was memorable.

Sadly, George contracted Parkinson's disease and died young. The Club was honoured to meet Kathleen's wishes and commit his ashes to the Yare at Cantley, a place he loved.

NB 2000