Ian Proctor Centenary

Ian Proctor Centenary

2018 Ian Proctor Centenary weekend - held at Bosham SC

Speech by Roger Proctor.

Report By Robin Gabbitas.

You have probably noticed from the yachting press that 2018 was the centenary of Ian Proctor's birth. A rally was proposed and hosted by Bosham SC, and took place over the weekend of 31 August to 2 September. Ian of course designed the Wanderer - one of his last designs - and some of you will have met and known him as he was very involved in setting up the Class Association and its constitution.

I didn't, but I got the impression he liked his creation, and liked the ethos and culture of the Class Association (friendly, informal, thankfully persisting to this day). Our association with the Proctor family does not end there: I think I am right in saying that he gave a Wanderer to each of his family, and I think I have seen them all competing in the Salcombe regattas. Jill Davies (Ian’s daughter in case you did not know) and husband David have of course been enthusiatic participants in Wanderer events and significant founders and contributors to the Class Association. The Bosham rally brought it home, at least to me, that Ian was one of the greatest influences on the world of small boating, a prolific designer and innovator. When he died in 1992, 40% of the dinghy market was being built to Proctor designs. Phew! Anyway back to the rally.

The Wanderer Class was well represented. David and Jill Davies were, of course, co-hosts. Philip Meadowcroft was invited to the event as someone who has done so much for the class, with W1541 Black Mischief, recently victorious in the 2018Wanderer National Championships. There were also three other Wanderers at the event belonging the Club members. I am sorry if some of you would have liked to have participated, but there was a limit and out of the boats Ian designed we did pretty well with four boats.

I crewed for Philip on the first day. The event was a mixture of display and racing. It coincided with the annual Bosham Classic Boat Revival. There was not much display; it was a pretty full racing event with three races on Saturday and two on Sunday. There was a specially designated Proctor race for those that did not want to, or could not by reason of definition, participate in the Classic Boat races. It included quite a menagerie: including us and the three other Wanderers, Gull number 1, another very old Gull, the prototype Topper (looked like a plank with a sail and Roger

Proctor perched on it), a quite old Wayfarer and a quite old National 12. Wanderers acquitted themselves well. I think it is fair to say that it was not the most competitive fleet of the weekend, but it did not feel that way. Overall Philip was a very convincing winner.

That evening there was a formal dinner at Bosham SC and Roger Proctor’s speech was very special:

"Everywhere I go in the world where there is water, I find something that my father designed or had a hand in designing or conceiving.

"Whether it is a boat, a new material, a design development, sailing technique, a fitting, a mast or even a one handed paddle.

“He knew sailing was a different language that could bring people together”

"Now I want to especially mention David Henshall here. His research and balanced view of Ian Proctor’s legacy has been insightful and enriching for us. As a family we are obviously prejudiced. He was our father after all, supported every step of the way by our mother, herself an unsung hero. So if our mother said he could walk on water we probably believed her, up until the age of 12 or 13 that is. After 13 he was just Dad, sometimes annoying, a wise counsellor, great in a crisis, impossible over small things, never apologetic, confident, fun, demanding, family focused, caring, loving and proud.

"So we didn’t have, couldn’t have, a balanced view of him. But David has striven to give that balanced view. I even managed to force out of David at the Dinghy Show these immortal words - ‘Ian Proctor was the most popular boat designer of the 20th century’. Thank you, David!

"Significantly Ian Proctor was modest. He was intensely proud and confident, never doubting is own decisions and abilities. But he was never outwardly boasting or arrogant, when he had plenty of opportunity or cause to be so. So in some ways, because of this modesty and just plain good manners, he has perhaps remained more hidden in these days of PR hype and well financed marketing machines.

"And he hated the politics of sailing officialdom. The Tempest, in design terms, was perhaps his greatest triumph and adopted as an Olympic Class. However, he disliked and resented the political manoeuvring that resulted. It was perhaps his darkest time and an anathema to someone who loved sailing for its own sake.

"For a family of creative people of all kinds, whether it be physiotherapists, architects, graphic designers or town planners, this is all a tremendous legacy. Sometimes, perhaps, it is a lot to live up to.

"Most of us in our working career can only dream of just one thing we create becoming widespread and iconic. What a legacy to be blessed with so many designs, developments and concepts accepted across the world and also still to be a fundamental part of the maritime landscape a quarter of a century after his death. Is suspect there is plenty more water to pass under that bridge as well.

"100 years ago my father, Ian Proctor, was born. What better place to celebrate his centenary than here? An iconic and historic sailing club, so near my parent’s lifelong friends the Martins and Cobnor. And where I got into real trouble in a Topper after staying out too late at a party and disgracing him, when my father uttered the immortal words ‘let the bugger drown’. Thank you Bosham.

"And what a year of events. I have just come back from China where the Topper Worlds attracted over 270 sailors from 20 countries around the world. The Topper has nurtured Olympic medalists, 60% of the British Americas Cup team, Round the World champions and many world champions in other classes. The week after next I will be at the iconic Wayfarer International Rally, with yet more sailors from around the world. Still so many active classes such as the Wanderer, Osprey, Tempest, Gull, Minisail, Kestrel, Signet, Bosun and other boats, and also being a significant part of the story for the National 18, International 14, National 12, Merlin Rocket, International Canoe, all with fantastic legacies and more recent developments of their own.

"Ian Proctor received many design awards for his designs. He was made a Royal Designer for Industry, Yachtsman of the Year for the Tempest, the Topper won the Horner Award for innovation in plastics, three Design Council Awards (at the time more design awards than any other designer in the country, in whatever field). When he died nearly 40% of the dinghy market was being built to his designs. Then featuring in the Best of British Design exhibition at the V&A and Best of British Manufacturing at the Science Museum in 2012 during the Olympics, next to the E-type Jaguar, Concorde and a Rolls Royce jet engine.

"Obviously my family are very proud of this heritage and so feel very honoured to be attending such an important event.

"We remember Ian Proctor not only as a great designer but also as an inspiring father with a great philosophy on life.

"He was disabled during WWII. He didn’t complain about his situation or let it stop him pursuing his passion for sailing. He endured and overcame tremendous obstacles that happily few of us face. I talked about this disability the other day and someone said that he wouldn’t have wanted to be defined by his disability. They were absolutely right, he never let it stop him. However, if we don’t recognize it, we don’t fully acknowledge his triumphs.

"Sailing was his passion and love. He believed sailing could give people so much. Physical and also mental fitness, independence, problem solving skills, planning skills, strategy, confidence, sportsmanship and so much more.

"He knew winning wasn’t everything, as not everyone can win. You win just by participating and being a true sportsman.

"He knew sailing was a different language that could bring people together from across the world and help build understanding. It builds new friendships and cooperation across cultures and nations. He loved that idea and what it could achieve.

"And whenever he designed a boat he always invested his own money in forming a class association. In this he was also an innovator. It fitted perfectly with his central mission for each class, which was to give people a love of sailing for life.

"So, the Proctor family feel very privileged to be here. There are so many memories for us this year. And this event will create an ever-lasting memory.

"Our father loved fun, he had a ready laugh. And I think the Proctor family will all agree, that is what he would want most of all out of this weekend, fun, for you all to have great fun!

"Happy sailing."

On the second day, Philip was crewed by Jill Davies, since Gill Veiron and I decided to get my Spiritus out of the dinghy park and have a compelling second race against Black Mischief.

And how compelling it was. Philip and Jill lead (just) for most of the first lap but we caught them up and passed them on the second and final lap. On the final downwind run, our lead came down from yards, to feet, and then to inches. Both boats went round the leeward mark with barely an inch between my rudder and Black Mischief’s bow. The final 100 metre reaching dash for the sadly saw us surrender our lead and cross a nanosecond behind our tormentors who were convulsed by hugs and shrieks.

A fabulous and unique weekend.