Youth sailing at Cobnor began in the mid 1950s, thanks to Martin Beale OBE JP DL. Martin appreciated that he lived in a very beautiful area and was very willing to share the joys of Cobnor and Chichester Harbour with those less fortunate than himself.
In 1963 the Thames Barge, Pride of Sheppy, arrived on site and this brought the advent of residential courses at Cobnor.
Central government cut backs to local authorities were a worrying time in 1979 and to save the Centre from possible closure Cobnor Activities Centre Trust was formed. This was with the full co-operation of the West Sussex County Council Youth Service.
Mark Murray-Brown joined as assistant Bosun in 1981 and four years later he became the Centre manager. Here began the Cobnor Activities Centre that we know and love.
Today, Cobnor Activities Centre has a close relationship with the West Sussex County Council Youth Service and is also grant aided by them. This, along with the charitable efforts of the Friends of Cobnor Activities Centre including the Grand Summer Dance and the Family Fun Day, means that we are able to keep the Centre running smoothly.
Our credentials
- We are a non-profit making company Limited by guarantee (No.3158023)
- We are a registered charity (No.1057222)
- We are a licensed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority
All our activity staff hold national governing body awards and staff are police checked
