Members of Brean Land Yachting Club say they have been ‘humbled’ by offers of help and support since Saturday’s high winds completely destroyed their wooden clubhouse.
As we first reported, damaging 70mph westerly winds from Storm Hannah completely blew apart the structure of the building, which had been in place next to Brean beach since 1990.
The club’s shocked members say their repair bill could stretch into thousands of pounds, and they have thanked local people for the many offers of help.
Graham Harris, Vice Chairman, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We are hoping to start dismantling the remains of the building this week and get a rebuild underway providing our insurance claim is accepted.”
“We have received many kind offers of support, including from Brean Seasonal Caravaners group, Jon Harris at Brean Parish Council, several people online and Burnham Sailing Club.”
“It is devastating for this to have happening to the building but I am confident we will rebuild and be back.”
He added that the group had managed to salvage many of the land yachts and some other items from inside.
Treasurer Pete Callaghan, who has been involved with the club for 15 years, added that he’d not experienced winds as strong as those on Saturday.
“The scale of the damage is surprising and hugely disappointing. It was one hell of a westerly and our wooden building unfortunately took the brunt of it.”
And Derek George, Chairman, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We are all shocked this has happened. It’s ironic when we actually rely on the winds to do our sport, but this time the wind was very unwelcome and has done this. We will rebuild, with the support of the local community.”
Western Power Distribution was called to the beach to disconnect the club’s power on Saturday afternoon as the winds died down.
The club’s members sifting through the remains on Saturday afternoon