James myatt was passionate about sailing. he was a great leader and had a knack of making the hardest things possible and fun with his enthusiasm, optimism and boundless energy.
About james
Born in 1931, the young James Myatt fell in love with sailing and, as a teenager, sailed with the Sea Scouts in Leigh on Sea in Essex.
In the 1960’s, sail training in the UK was in its infancy, and James set out to expand opportunities and schemes, leading many sail training expeditions. He sailed Tawau a 20 metre yawl, in the the first Sail Training Association race across the Atlantic in 1964. The race went from Plymouth - Lisbon - Bermuda - New York and then home. He helped to start friendship cruises with Polish and Russian crews during the cold war period - a great achievement - making sail training truly international.
He was a great leader and made the hardest of things possible and fun, even when things were difficult. His spirit of enthusiasm and optimism combined with boundless energy drew support and effort from all those who were lucky enough to experience his leadership.
From 1950 to 1978 James worked for the British army. He was involved in youth and leadership training in the army. He served in many countries, including Germany, Kenya, Palestine and Aden (the Yemen). Whilst he was in the army he was a special advisor to the newly formed Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. He put his enthusiasm and dedication to everything he did. He participated in all sorts of challenges and activities, including:
offshore sailor in the army
parachuting
army bobsleigh team and the Cresta Run
army motorcycle champion
He became a Lieutenant Colonel in the army.
From 1978 to 1982 he was Chief Executive to the Royal Bath and West Show. During the short time he was there he expanded its activities and established several new substantial exhibition buildings on the showsite.
He married Fiona in 1968. She also sailed and worked on Sail Training ships and understood James' passion for sailing. They had three children and had a happy and busy family life. In his local parish of Ditcheat he was a church warden and bell ringer.
To remember James Myatt, his family and friends started this trust in 1984 by making generous donations to his memory for young people and sail training.