History Page
In the early 1880's the park was being planned and on those plans was a body
of water labeled "Model Yachting Lake". Why? Because a lot of Aldermen were
Model Yachtsmen and had sailed between the piers!
As soon as the park was opened to the public this club was born,and 2 yrs
later the Yacht house was built. At first this was a public building but
became a club house.
At this stage the first steam boats appeared and they also had a club but an
amalgamation was proposed and accepted under the existing name. The club
prospered and inter club competitions with Tyne mouth ,Jarrow,Newcastle were
arranged these involved hiring a horse and cart to get boats to the station
and trains onward.
The Club sailed 10, 20,and 5 tonners worked on a formula involving sail area
and water line length.
In 1940.s the park was bombed and the clubhouse was lost one bomb breaching
the clay and draining the lake!
All was put right however in the "50"s and the club continued to thrive with
Marbleheads, 10 raters, steam and early radio boats.
The boat house, lake and park have been transformed under a make overand the
club still goes it's merry way. So in the words of that old hymn " come and
join us"