Salvaged treasures go on display at Littlehampton’s museum

When the former Littlehampton Sailing and Motor Club went into administration and much of the memorabilia was put up for auction, Littlehampton woman Janet Hodge knew she had to do something to preserve its memory.

During the auction, in 2009, she launched an impassioned bid to save all the various trophies, paintings, plaques and flags.

Janet, of Highdown Drive, Littlehampton, said: “I have a real passion for the club – I loved it. I couldn’t bear to think that a piece of Littlehampton history would have been literally scrapped.

“It would have been a tragedy to lose it all and for it to disappear forever.”

Janet paid £550 for almost 80 items, which are now being restored by staff at the Littlehampton Museum, in Church Street.

Some of those saved are on display as part of an exhibition in the museum celebrating all of the town’s sporting heritage.

Janet said that many of the items that have, in the past, helped unravel family mysteries of countless people looking to piece together their genealogy.

The Littlehampton Sailing and Motor Club was founded in 1896 and ceased in 2003. Its meeting place was the current 03 Club along South Terrace, Littlehampton.

The display at the museum includes more than a dozen items, some dating back over a century.

The exhibition features as part of the Sporting Life display, which continues until July 20.