Continuing our series recognising volunteers across BSC, the Web & Comms team is delighted to shine a spotlight on Mike Ayton, who has quietly and expertly guided the Club through one of its most important negotiations recently.

Mike has been a BSC member since 1987, first drawn to the Club when he met his future wife, Gay Waller, then a long-standing cadet member. He already had some sailing experience from his years living in Uganda, where he sailed on Lake Victoria. Back in the UK, he quickly became the “heavy weather” crew for his future father-in-law Martin in the Albacore fleet. He and Gay later inherited Honeybee, and today they can be found afloat in their distinctive orange-hulled Kestrel, EasyWet.

Professionally, Mike is a Chartered Surveyor specialising in commercial agency and development in Cambridge — particularly in the office, tech and life-science sectors. When long-serving Club Surveyor David Goldsmith retired, Mike stepped into the role, advising the Club on its property interests. While BSC owns the freehold of its buildings and land, it leases the foreshore — including the moorings area — from Maldon District Council.

Recently, Mike completed a major piece of work: securing the renewal of the Club’s foreshore (moorings) lease. It may sound far removed from negotiating a cutting-edge laboratory lease in Cambridge, but in practice both are commercial agreements governed by the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954.

The renewed lease covers the launching ramp and the 120+ moorings stretching from Ballast Hole to a point precisely 170 metres south of the southern Club boundary, extending out as far as the main channel, Colliers Reach.

Negotiations first began when the previous lease expired in 2015. Mike advised on the commercial terms and worked to ensure the Club avoided any onerous obligations, liaising throughout with Allan Hunt’s legal team at Mitchell Plampin Partnership. A decade-long process might test anyone’s patience — especially as a succession of council staff and lawyers brought shifting views on how the lease should be structured — but thanks to the protection of the ’54 Act, the Club’s position remained secure throughout.

Mike recalls some of the more unusual moments along the way. 

“At one point, the draft lease was reviewed by a solicitor at another council who seemed unaware that the lease refers primarily to water. They suggested the “property” should be kept clean and in good repair — prompting clarification that, fortunately, the Club is not responsible for cleaning the estuary, only for maintaining the ramp.”

The new lease was finally completed in August this year, securing the Club’s continued use of both ramp and moorings for the next 20 years — an invaluable outcome for BSC and its members.

A huge thank you to Mike for his persistence, professionalism and good humour throughout this long process. His work ensures the Club can continue to enjoy and manage its moorings well into the future.

If you know a volunteer who should be featured in our spotlight series, please email news@blackwatersailingclub.org.uk.