MRSC's new Commodore

Published 00:00 on 19 Nov 2025

We welcome our new Commodore, Robert Macdonald. We wish him all the very best for the future. Also we thank the outgoing commodore, John Barnett, for his tireless work and service over the past years, especially with reference to the flood works - well done and thank you. Robert has been a member at Mengeham since a teenager in the late 1960s, enjoying decades of sailing, socialising, and enjoying the spectacular location of the club. He has held many posts at MRSC over the years Junior Secretary, Social Secretary, Sailing Secretary, and all flag officer posts. Robert also led the development team for the building and funding of the 'new' clubhouse and pontoon in 2003. He has raced in a Solo, Laser, Finn, Blaze, and Wayfarer, and now enjoys cruising. He is currently an RYA National Race Officer and helps to run Chichester Harbour Federation Race Week each year as PRO for the event.

And now a few words from Robert himself on his new position as Commodore:

"Spending and investing wisely, we need to recognise the difference between cost and value to ensure we uphold the principles of a self-help club. Working parties can be fun and provide opportunities for camaraderie to develop between members, helping them to integrate into the club. I have been particularly encouraged recently by some of our newer and younger members whose enthusiasm and talents are already impacting the club positively. Sailing and other watersports are generally made up of friendly associations and I have listened to many other clubs as to how they have overcome some of the problems our sport is facing. To hear members from other clubs in the Harbour extolling the warmth and friendliness of MRSC, is heart-warming a status of which we should be proud.

I am delighted that rowing is back at MRSC and our task now is to develop a strategy to encourage increased and diverse activity on the water. Using our sub-committees to advantage to help with formulation of plans and ideas, and communicating transparently with all MRSC members are key to keeping the club we all love alive and thriving. We need other sections to mirror our thriving juniors.

Mengeham Rythe Sailing Club cannot operate in isolation as its own island: we need to embrace our community and I wish to harness my experience, knowledge, contacts and time with our members' enthusiasm to take the club forward towards the next decade. I hope to receive your support. Together we can keep MRSC a club of which to be proud."