History

During the 1939-45 War the army set up an anti-aircraft training centre on Ty Croes headland. The targets for the gunners were drogues towed behind elderly aircraft. The camp remained active for many years after the war and the guns were replaced by rockets which were fired out to sea in the general direction of Pembrokeshire. When rockets were fired, patrol boats kept civilian craft away from a wide area of the sea frustrating many a pleasant sail during the holiday season and interfering with the routine of local fishermen who could not reach their lobster pots when necessary. The rifle range, which was in almost continual use, was an additional hazard with spent bullets falling into the sea up to a mile offshore.

In the early 1970's the Ministry of Defence proposed to transfer a large missile firing range from Shoeburyness, Essex to Ty Croes and to establish a very large exclusion zone for all craft, virtually making it impossible for boats of all kinds to operate safely between Rhosneigr and Aberffraw reef and further offshore. Word of these threats soon came to Peter Boulton who lived in Rhosneigr and was a keen sailor. He quickly got in touch with a number of like minded friends- Alex Nowell, Jimmy Hughes, Richard Yeoward, Geoffrey Wright and others to discuss ways of combating these threats to the livelihood of the Rhosneigr residents and as well as to the enjoyment of the summer visitors. It was felt that a sailing club in the accepted sense of the word would be too restrictive and would not appear to cover the various aspects of the situation. Certainly boating for pleasure formed a large part of the activities of the summer visitors who, if denied the freedom of the sea, would forsake Rhosneigr thus depriving the village of its trade. To some extent those using the beach would also be deterred as well as those fishing off the rocks but even more serious was the threat to the local fishermen who relied on their nets and lobster pots for an income. Finally the title Rhosneigr Boatowners Association was hit upon as embracing all the various interests. In May 1972 a public meeting attended by some two hundred people approved the formation of the RBA to present a united front to these military threats. A committee was elected to act with Peter Boulton as its chairman and it set about organizing dinghy races, fishing competitions, a treasure hunt and other local events in the bay. In early 1973 the RBA was granted official recognition by the Royal Yachting Association and the Welsh Yachting Association. With the active assistance of these powerful bodies representations were made to the Ministry of Defence concerning the proposals for the Ty Croes range. Approaches were also to the local MP, County and local Council officials and others drawing to their attention the serious effect the range would have on the local community. Happily a year or two later the range closed apart from the rifle range. The area is now a motor racing track. From these beginnings the RBA has prospered and still arranges sailing races during August and provides beach activities and other entertainments for its members.

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Last updated 07:56 on 14 August 2023