A THRIVING club has cast off its last link with its parent company. Last month saw the end of an era for the Pilkington Sailing Club when the one remaining member still employed by the glass company, officially retired.

However, with 100 plus members and a recent £4,000 lottery grant boost, the club is a growing success story.

The popular PSC, based at Eccleston Mere, has been operating since the 1950s. When it first began, only Pilkington employees and their families were eligible to join. However, when the club became independent five years ago, they relaxed the restrictions to let in members from all walks of life and the club now has more than 100 members with ages ranging from five to 85.

And one of the club's last remaining links with Pilkington's was cut in April when founder member Trevor Fillingham, the only member who still worked for the company, retired.

Membership secretary Freda Lunt told the Star: "When the club first started meeting at Carr Mill Dam, we only had a tarpaulin to act as the club house but more people joined and the move to Eccleston Mere was ideal for us. Over the years we have won numerous sailing competitions, both national and international and we also run a beginner's programme which is open to everyone wishing to take up the pastime.

"We also recently received £4,000 from the National Lottery to repair our jetty and safety boat which was very welcome." She added: "We plan to keep the Pilkington name for the club despite the fact that no members work there any more and they no longer cover any of our costs. In fact, of over 100 members, only five have any connection to Pilkingtons and that includes my grandson, Daniel Ray whose grandad -- my late husband Derek -- was a member and Pilks worker."

IF you are interested in joining Pilkington Sailing Club, contact Freda on (01744) 21770.