History
During the early 1900's, land between the River Colne and the Grand Union Canal was taken over by the Rickmansworth Gravel Company, in 1902. [2] Dry and wet digging took place closer to Croxley Green, but once supplies were exhausted, digging moved to the Aquadrome area, starting firstly on Batchworth Lake and then moving on to Bury and Stockers Lakes. Steam cranes were used on flat pontoons, for the majority of the digging. It was sorted by means of size, with the original stones being returned to the lake, explaining the small islands in the Stockers and Batchworth lakes. Useful material that was collected, was used to build the original Wembley Stadium and the British Empire Exhibition of 1924. [3]
Sailing
Rickmansworth Sailing Club was the original occupant of the lake, with the first evidence of sailing from the early 1930s. They vacated in 1960 when they acquired the freehold of Troy Lake, which sits just West of Harefield. Hertfordshire County Council took it over and began operation on Bury Lake, using it as an outdoor education centre, providing a fleet of twenty-five dinghies. In the Autumn of 1982, funding was withdrawn and a group of individuals founded Bury Lake Young Mariners as an independent charity.
New Building Development
The Original Clubhouse is now being replaced by three new buildings. The Boathouse, the 'Wetzone' and the New Clubhouse/'Dryzone'. The ongoing development started in 2017/8 and as of November 2024, The Boathouse and the Wetzone have been completed whilst the Dryzone is yet to be started.
Boathouse
The new boathouse has replaced the old 'green crate', which was a shipping container that held the club's sailing equipment. This new development has allowed for fleet expansion. The new boathouse also stores BLYM's 9 safety boats.
Wetzone
This building currently sits next to the clubhouse, on the opposite side of the site to the boathouse - running alongside Bury Lake. It holds all age changing rooms, bathrooms and a 'Wetstore', holding all of the BLYM owned sailing clothing - Buoyancy aids, Wetsuits etc.
The Future
Bury Lake Young Mariners will soon build the final building in the project, which will be the new clubhouse. It will sit facing the 'Wetzone' and consist of classrooms, a galley and more. This will mean that the old club house will be demolished to make room for more boats to be housed and a larger rigging area.
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