Brian Cushing
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Brian Cushing.
The Club lost a truly outstanding servant when Brian passed away on Tuesday 30th April.
Pat and Brian Cushing joined the Club in 1974 with Cadet 1191. They soon had a Mirror Miracle, which was later to be sold and Larks and then an OK were purchased. Until recent times Pat and Brian regularly sailed the Lark, when Brian was not in his OK.
Brian was one of those people who contributed greatly to Frensham. His posts include Z Class (now K Class) Captain, Cadet Squadron Captain, OK Class Captain, two spells as Honorary Sailing Secretary. Quite apart from these duties he was responsible for many aspect of the Club that we still take for granted. These include:-
- Initiating the Cadet October Training Series
- Designing and building the very innovative electronic and race box to control the race timing and lights. This has since been replaced by a computer controlled system based on a programme that Brian initiated
- A portable version of the race controller for use at Open Meetings
- While Cadet Squadron Captain he initiated RYA Instructor Training
- He started putting the courses onto the white metal plates that are still used in the club to this day
- Brian found a flag pole that about to be discarded, and organised its delivery and erection at the Club
- In the 1970s he put all members’ renewal and berthing information on to a computer to make life easier for everyone including class captains. Additionally he decided to put the members’ information and sailing instructions together. This was how the Blue Book came into the club's life. The Blue Book was the forerunner of the loose leaf Member’s Handbook that we know today. The early versions of which were also prepared at the Cushing household
- He initiated the trophy records, the Red Book
- He organised a new rescue boat shed, to be designed and built by Club members
- It was decided that much of the club's paperwork could be photocopied, and with the aid of an old photocopier given by John Parrott the club records, signing on and off sheets, etc. became easier update. For many years the Clubs’ photocopying was done in Brian’s house on this photocopier, and its successors
- He donated the Kenton Trophy, and was directly responsible for the donations of the Thamesis Trophy, and donations of trophies from Northaw Marine and the owner of Frensham Pond Hotel
Unsurprisingly, in view of all this, Brian was made an Honorary Life Member of the Club in 2004.
As well as sailing at Frensham, Brian and Pat regularly visited their caravan in the New Forest, and enjoyed many family sailing holidays at Hope Cove near Salcombe. But for nearly forty years, it was a rare weekend if Pat, Brian and their Shelties were not at the Club.
Our thoughts are extended to his wife Pat, sons Adrian and Martin and their families, at this sad time.
