Alderney Sailing Club Commodore dies
TRIBUTES have been flooding in this week to Chris Walker, Commodore of Alderney Sailing Club, who died on Monday after a two-year battle with cancer.
Chris, pictured, a retired Metropolitan police officer, moved to Alderney in 1994 with his wife, Jan, and became the lynchpin for a string of island organisations.
Over the course of two decades, the former member of the Royal Protection Squad served as Master of the St Ann's Masonic Lodge, Principal of the RYA Training Centre and Master of Ceremonies for the Caledonian Society. He also served as sergeant and Sheriff of the Court of Alderney.
Chris first joined Alderney Sailing Club in 1975 as an overseas member. After moving to Alderney he took on the role of sailing instructor and in 1997 gained YHA accreditation for the club. During 15 years he instructed hundreds of students on Day Skipper and Yachtmaster courses. His valuable work as an instructor gave him an excuse to say no when he was continually asked to become Commodore, but in 2014, in the middle of a dream cruise in the South Pacific, he finally capitulated. His aim was to try to steer the club towards a 'more sea-going attitude' and get them out on the water.
Former Commodore Neil Harvey said: 'Chris will be hugely missed by all at the club. He had been a member for over 40 years and was instrumental in both securing Royal Yachting Association recognition of our club's training, and delivering much of that training to aspiring young sailors and navigators.'
