Introducing our New Committee Members

The following CBYA members were voted onto the CBYA Committee during our 2022 AGM earlier this month:

Saira Mackney – Treasurer
I was introduced to sailing by my husband John, who is now the CBYA Boating Officer. I am more the “fair weather sailor” in our marriage, but I have enjoyed several boating holidays and trips to the Isle of Wight, where John’s boat is currently moored. In terms of the Treasurer role, I have had a thirty-year career in banking, particularly in highly regulated areas of finance, and have taken accountancy exams. Now I am retired, I would definitely like to do some volunteering, and the CBYA Teasurer role is a great fit in terms of my background, and the fact that there is a boat in our family!

Gwendoline Holliday – Social Secretary

I have lived in Spain for the past 20+ years, and I speak Spanish and French fluently.
We lived on the Galician coast for 18 years, where we sailed our Bavaria 40 Ocean around the Atlantic coast, and across the Bay of Biscay. I set off in 2012 from Galicia, and spent 6 years travelling to Turkey and back, with my husband, Glenn, who is a geologist. We overwintered in Crete, Greece, Sicily, and Spain.
I spent a quarter of my working life raising five children, a quarter farming (60 sheep, 40 chickens, 5 pigs, 6 goats and about 1 million edible snails!). Then 10 years teaching French, Russian, Spanish and Italian, and organising 22 trips to France for the students. For my final 10 years I was a mine project manager organising permissions for a mine in Galicia.
I am a professional pianist and have organised many concerts. I have also directed four theatrical plays.
We moved to Javea just over 2 years ago and were immediately locked down, so our social life has been somewhat curtailed! I therefore welcome the opportunity to help get social life in our area back to normal as the CBYA Social Secretary!

John Mackney – Boating Officer
My sailing began on the boating lake of the local park. It progressed from there to the dingy club, through to RYA Yachtmaster Ocean, and cruising instructor, to running my own ocean racing charter business. I have competed in many ocean races including the Fastnet, the ‘Round Britain and Ireland, and four transatlantic races. I have a Beneteau 423 Oceanis which is moored on the Isle of Wight.
I sold my charter business about 10 years ago, and my IT company last year. I hope my knowledge of the boating industry, and my management skills will both serve me well in fulfilling my role as CBYA Boating Officer, and in my duty of coordinating the various boating activities of the club.

Please look out for them and give them your support.

Thanks,

The Committee

March 2022