Annie Beakhust

Ciao · 13-01-2011, 03:00 PM

Sadly Annie passed away today.

She was an incredible force in our sport for so many years.

Thoughts go to Rob at this time.

stumpy · 13-01-2011, 03:02 PM

Very sad news indeed. Our thoughts go out to Rob and Family. Will be sorely missed. Matt and Sarah.

Cookee · 13-01-2011, 03:03 PM

I only heard yesterday that she was very ill - thoughts go to Rob and family.

First Mate · 13-01-2011, 03:50 PM

A great friend will be much missed our thoughts are with Rob at this time

Jon Fuller · 13-01-2011, 03:57 PM

That's terrible news!

How very sad.

She gave me some bollockings over the years I'll never forget.

snapper66 · 13-01-2011, 05:22 PM

She was a lovely Lady and she will be missed very much.

Blue mist · 13-01-2011, 07:42 PM

Very sad news, our thoughts are with Rob.

Brian and Steve.

Martin The Talker · 13-01-2011, 08:42 PM

Annies loss will be sorely felt - she could cut you down, but equally, pick you up again. Annie really was a "one off" .
Her style & knowledge, and indeed all the hard work she & Rob did, will be a great loss.
We will all miss her so very much I know.
Thoughts go to Rob of course, and to all at the RMYC.

Ben · 13-01-2011, 09:24 PM

We would like to extend our deepest sympathy.

Catweazle · 13-01-2011, 09:50 PM

I only met her once but a formidable character indeed .a sad loss.

Markus Hendricks · 13-01-2011, 11:35 PM

Very sad Indeed.

Meeting her first at the RB2008 inaugural gatherings about 2007, she immediately left quite a deep impression on me, who by then thought to have joined the Race for fun only.
Takeing the preparation for the Race much more serious therefore could not prevent our boat from sinking, but being well equiped and trained we only lost the boat.
More so talking to her on VHF (Race Control) in the hectic incident gave us the reassurance of safety, even if it was quite lonely without landsight in the middle of Lyme Bay, playing Titanic.

She had a Natural Aura of Authority very few are able to posses.
So she managed otherwise hairy situations in rock steady sovereignity.
Under the straight forwardness, she was easily recognised for, there was a hidden sensibility though that made her so special.

To a certain extent she encouraged me to return to the scene of powerboat racing and gave a lot of support, when I had the first race in Cinzano at RMYC's Cancer Research Race in 2009.

I will never forget her and more so the rememberence of her voice will always stay present with me.

May she rest in Powerful Peace.
As much as my and Team Cinzano's thoughts are with Rob,
we hope he will stay with us powerboaters and therefore keep the memory of her Spirit alive.

Markus Hendricks
from Germany

LorenZo · 13-01-2011, 11:37 PM

With deepest sympathy, thoughts are with Rob at this sad time.

cider daze · 13-01-2011, 11:57 PM

When i told my sons about Annie tonight they said, What Annie Ballbreaker, She was a legend never to be forgot, from all in Exmouth, we love you annie and RIP, I had many a bollockings from this lady as did we all, one of lifes characters ,Will miss her,Thoughts with Rob at this time

ashley nihell · 14-01-2011, 02:15 AM

annie ....i.had the honour of meeting her many times always friendly and very helpfull will be sadly missed .....my condolances to rob ,and ime sure everyone over here on the iow that knew her will be shocked and saddend to hear of her passing ......ashley

Pennpromo · 14-01-2011, 08:58 AM

Annie was one very rare person. She was absolutely incredible with the minutae and detail.
When I was Chairman of the ORC she was my "right hand man". We as a group would discuss all sorts of wonderful rule changes and get very enthusiastic and she would then bring us all down to earth. Her minutes that she took down were more like seconds, she never missed anything out.
I was very fortunate to have known Annie for a very long time and consider it an honour to have worked alongside her to try to keep the sport she and Rob loved so much on track.
As Marcus said earlier she was unflappable in a crisis, her control was legendary.
Although feeling pretty bad for a considerable time she never complained, she just got on with what had to be done.
I can't even begin to think how many thousands of hours that she and Rob spent dedicated to Offshore Racing. The sport will be so much poorer without her.
My thoughts to Rob at this very sad time.
RIP Annie.
SIMON.

THUNDERBOLT · 14-01-2011, 10:24 AM

The members and committee would like to extend their deepest sympathy to Rob and the family at this very sad news..
A great loss to the Powerboating Fraternity

Mike James
Commodore
COPOC

Mikey · 14-01-2011, 10:43 AM

I don't very often post on here these days, but this is very sad news indeed.

I did my oral licence test with Annie ... (too many years ago) and always found her to be incredibly knowledgable, honest and fair. I liked the naughty boys list in briefings too

When all around were losing their heads ... Annie never did!

I'm sure she will be greatly missed by many many people.

Gordon McMath · 14-01-2011, 04:03 PM

So sad to hear about Annie,but uplifting to read all of the heartfelt tributes by so many people on boatmad,i can remember walking into many a race control around the country and asking Annie if she could get me out on a boat to photograph the race,only to realise that she was in the middle of dealing with yet another crisis and i remember feeling that my request was a bit trivial really,but she always seemed to make the time and almost always got me out there,enjoy your well deserved rest in peace Annie,and to Rob my sincere condolences.

Monkey · 14-01-2011, 04:48 PM

A huge loss to the sport and to her many friends. I had many a good time and many bollockings in equal proportion with this immense lady. We will all miss you loads Annie. Condolences to Rob and family. From Terry, Andrea, Mick, Maggie and all with V3 and previously C56

RHINO · 14-01-2011, 07:06 PM

Annie has always made a huge impression on me and Pat over the last 15 years. She has always seemed so regal and calm in whatever situation and her race briefings were always the best. She always let us know who was in charge but you could always see that bit of 'mischief 'underneath. Pat and I can honestly say we can count on one hand, the amount of times we have seen either her or Rob without each other over the years. They were the proverbial pair of swans who were together for life. She always referred to Rob as "her man".
It was a huge surprise to find that she was the land lady in the mid seventies of a pub we used to go to in Farnham Royal when we were first married and we were honoured to receive a painting of it from Annie. It just goes to show how small our world of powerboating is.
I can remember Pat telling me of a huge start boat that her and Annie sat in the back of in Bournemouth many years ago. Pat told me the driver was a nutter but she wasn't going to act afraid unless Annie looked uncomfortbable. It wasn't until their bums left the seat and Annie took hold, that Pat followed suit!
We both send our love and condolences to Rob. He so obviously made her so happy over the years. It was a privelage to have been part of their lives.
We have never been able to step in their shoes in ORDA.
Brian & Pat Peedell and every member of ORDA