Article - Historic Lord Birkett Race Sells Out in Record Time

Published 12:45 on 29 May 2026

As Ullswater Yacht Club enjoys another successful season on the water, the club is also proudly reflecting on the remarkable history and heritage that helped shape one of the country's most respected sailing communities.

Founded in 1958 after boating enthusiasts Harold Couzens and Joe Harrison placed an advert in the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald, the club has grown from a small gathering of lake lovers into a nationally recognised sailing club with a reputation for competitive racing, volunteer spirit and community pride.

Now well into the 2026 season, which began in March, that proud history is being brought to life throughout the clubhouse thanks to a major heritage project led by General Manager Jack Allan. The project began in 2024 after Jack approached several founding and long-standing members to help preserve and celebrate the club's past.

At the centre of the project is a newly installed history board, offering a visual journey through Ullswater Yacht Club's development from its earliest days racing from Howtown, through to becoming the home of the famous Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy and one of the UK's most admired inland sailing venues.

Alongside it, new honours boards have been installed to recognise every winner of the prestigious Birkett Trophy, ensuring their achievements are permanently woven into the fabric of the clubhouse for future generations.

"The more I learned about the history of this fantastic club, the prouder I became," said Jack Allan. "As we continue to invest in the future of UYC, it felt incredibly important that we also honoured the volunteers, founding members and generations of sailors who built the club we enjoy today. Without them, there simply would not be a UYC."

Jack praised the contribution of members Sue Giles and Tim Ellis, who played key roles throughout the project. Sue Giles helped coordinate and gather the extensive historical material and research, while Tim Ellis supported the design and production of the clubhouse additions.

"I've been incredibly fortunate to work alongside Sue and Tim," Jack added. "Sue's dedication to preserving the club's history has been extraordinary, while Tim's creativity and design work have helped bring the project to life visually. Together, they've helped create something the whole club can be proud of."

The heritage project also celebrates the extraordinary history of the Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy one of the most iconic and sought-after sailing events in the country.

First raced in 1963, the event was created in memory of Lord Norman Birkett, whose famous speech in the House of Lords helped save Ullswater from becoming a reservoir in the early 1960s. His efforts preserved the natural beauty of the lake for future generations and cemented his place in the history of both Ullswater and the yacht club.

Now regarded as the "Holy Grail" for competitive sailors, the Birkett regularly attracts more than 200 entries from across the UK and was named by Yachts & Yachting magazine as one of Britain's top "must-do" sailing events. In 2025, Ullswater Yacht Club proudly received the RYA Event of the Year Award for the 63rd running of the Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy, recognising both the event's growing national reputation and the extraordinary efforts of the volunteers and organisers who make it possible year after year.

This year's 64th edition, taking place in July, has already become the earliest sold-out Birkett in the club's history another landmark achievement for the volunteer-led event.

"The Birkett has a magic unlike anything else," said UYC President John Robinson. "The fact this year's event sold out earlier than ever before shows just how special the Birkett has become."

As part of the heritage celebrations, the club will officially open the newly named Norman Birkett Bar during Birkett weekend, with Lady Victoria Cliff Hodges, Lord Birkett's granddaughter, attending the ceremony as guest of honour. Lady Victoria has attended recent Birkett Trophy events as a guest of the club and has spoken warmly of how much she enjoys watching the famous race unfold on Ullswater each year.

The redesigned bar area now features historical photography, themed displays and dedicated history boards celebrating Lord Birkett's legacy and the evolution of the famous race itself.

"When you walk into the clubhouse now, you can immediately feel the history," Jack said. "For a private members' club like UYC, that sense of heritage really matters. We hope members and visitors alike will feel proud of what has been achieved here over nearly seven decades."

As another busy season unfolds at UYC, the new heritage displays ensure the stories, achievements and volunteer spirit that built the club will continue to inspire members and visitors for generations to come.

Plans are already underway for the 2027 Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy, which will take place on 3rd4th July 2027, as Ullswater Yacht Club looks forward to continuing one of the country's most iconic sailing traditions.

Article via Cumberland and Westmorland Herald

Last updated 15:26 on 29 May 2026