1986: Formation of the Sceptre Preservation Society
Following her conversion and a trial sail in September 1985, SCEPTRE wintered in Glasson. Tony Walker realised she was too big for him on his own to sail or maintain so he put her up for sale.
However, Stuart Carter, Eric Wright and John Roberts – members of Blackpool & Fleetwood Yacht Club and keen cyclists - went to Glasson, saw SCEPTRE and suggested that a syndicate should be formed to keep her in the area. They recruited other keen yachties and Tony sold shares to them and so the Sceptre Preservation Society was formed. In general syndicates generate friction among its members but not this one. They all knew each other; all had varying attributes to use on the boat and were responsible for their own piece of the action, either to do it themselves or to see it was done by another party.
A constitution was drawn up and agreed but this has since been lost.
The initial members and their responsibilities were:
Tony Walker – Secretary, Treasurer and hull structure
Ken Farrar – electrics
Mick Attwater – stores and general
Eric Wright – stores and charters
Bob McGregor – sails and rigging
Stuart Carter – engine and machinery
Arthur Wray – engine and machinery
Tony Lee – stores and general
John Roberts – PR and charters
Alan Fitton – painting (but dropped out fairly soon)
To make up to 12 shares in total Eric and John bought 2 each. Tony sold his share in 1989 in order to buy a new sailing project.
However, Stuart Carter, Eric Wright and John Roberts – members of Blackpool & Fleetwood Yacht Club and keen cyclists - went to Glasson, saw SCEPTRE and suggested that a syndicate should be formed to keep her in the area. They recruited other keen yachties and Tony sold shares to them and so the Sceptre Preservation Society was formed. In general syndicates generate friction among its members but not this one. They all knew each other; all had varying attributes to use on the boat and were responsible for their own piece of the action, either to do it themselves or to see it was done by another party.
A constitution was drawn up and agreed but this has since been lost.
The initial members and their responsibilities were:
Tony Walker – Secretary, Treasurer and hull structure
Ken Farrar – electrics
Mick Attwater – stores and general
Eric Wright – stores and charters
Bob McGregor – sails and rigging
Stuart Carter – engine and machinery
Arthur Wray – engine and machinery
Tony Lee – stores and general
John Roberts – PR and charters
Alan Fitton – painting (but dropped out fairly soon)
To make up to 12 shares in total Eric and John bought 2 each. Tony sold his share in 1989 in order to buy a new sailing project.
Sceptre Preservation Society from 1986 to 2019 and beyond
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The Sceptre Preservation Society continues to look after this splendid yacht, maintaining her to charter standards and sailing her as a group of owners, with some chartering to offset costs of ownership. Further details can be found on the Ownership page, and details of the maintenance and improvement projects carried out over the past few years are detailed on the Major Works page.
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