Trustees at odds over boat house

Sep 18 2002 By Elgan Hearn, Holyhead And Anglesey Mail

A DISPUTE concerning the trusteeship of an Anglesey boat house is threatening to tear a community apart.

The two remaining trustees of Bull Bay Yacht and Boat Club are quarrelling over the transference of the building to the care of Amlwch Town Council, who would safeguard the boat house for future community use.

Trustee Ken Anglesey is willing to hand over his deeds following a petition organised by locals to ensure the boat house will remain a community focal point.

Members believe the only way to ensure they have access to the building is to hand it over to the town council, therefore blocking what they believe to be designs for its exclusive use by the yacht club.

Boat Club member Jimmy Durnin said: "The community wrangling goes back nearly 15 years.

"The Yacht Club fell into decline and by 1990 the traditional activities such as the annual gala day and fishing competitions in the bay ceased.

"Years later, in 1996 following a period of inactivity a group of residents, many of which were former members and committee members of the Yacht Club, met and decided to form a new club.

"This club is called Bull Bay Community and Boat Club and under a democratically-run committee has been very successful by organising all the old events and more within the area."

The Bull Bay Community and Boat Club has more than 220 members, has resurrected at least six functions per year and donates at least £1,500 to charities annually, enjoying the support of the local community and local businesses.

This situation changed recently following the death of one of the trustees and a court action which has been placed on the remaining trustee by Mr Bryn Howes of the yacht club to transfer his trusteeship to one of the members of Bull Bay yacht and boat club.

The residents of Bull Bay see the court action brought about by Mr Howes as a very real threat to Bull Bay losing the boat house as a community facility and focal point.

Yacht Club member Mr Bryn Howes said: "I have nothing to say."