THE Deputy Mayor of Wigan, Cllr Wilfred Brogan opened new changing facilities at the Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club last Saturday.

This is the result of a lot of hard work by Harry Budd, the President, Alan Woosey, the Commodore, David Shiel the Treasurer and the Sailability Regional organiser.

The club is now fully accessible by disabled sailors and allows for the increasing number attending the winter racing programme.

The club obtained £148,700 from Sport England and Julie Thorpe from the Manchester office came to see the result of their contribution. BNFL, Peal Holdings, RYA Sailability and Zurich Insurance also made grants that when added to the clubs contribution allowed the Lottery application to be formed.

The result of the work is now a club where disabled sailors can travel on a smooth path from their car to the changing room to the boat storage. The club has access in the changing rooms between the benches for wheelchair users and in the showers. A separate wheelchair access shower and WC room is also provided. The colours have been selected to assist visually impaired people distinguish the handles on the doors, doors from the walls and find the sanitary appliances with out help.

The club's next project is to start fundraising to obtain some more boats for the Sailability group for those learning to sail and for competitive racing. It also has on its shopping list a new pontoon, a hoist for getting people from the wheelchair on the pontoon into the boats, easier access to the galley.

The club are also hoping to develop major external works for an improved road and a bespoke access to the training centre that is smooth enough for wheelchairs.

The waiting list of disabled people wanting to sail can now be satisfied and any individual or groups disabled or able bodies people who would like the opportunity to go for a sail should contact Mary Harwood, phone number 01942 261122.