Sidmouth Sailing Club was transported back to the 1930s to celebrate its 80th birthday.

Members gathered on Saturday to mark the ‘legacy’ of the club with a sit-down fish and chip supper, photographs of days gone by and the 1930s-themed party.

Guests included long-serving members and previous commodores John Mortimore and John Mullins.

Mr Mortimore joined the club as a young man when the club restarted after a break was imposed for World War Two.

Present vice-commodore Alistair Watson described the event as a ‘fantastic evening’.

“There was a lot of reminiscing about the old days,” he said. “It’s very interesting that the club has had a very stable membership of 100 to 150. What has changed is the technology on the boats; they are much more sophisticated.”

In 1936, the club held its first meeting in the Royal London Hotel, now Sea Salt, which became its headquarters until July 1940. Members moved to its current clubhouse in 1970.

The organisation has hosted many significant sailing events over the years, including the Mirror World Championships in 1988.

Club president Oliver Salter gave a presentation and members learnt the organisation was pre-dated by the Sidmouth Corinthian Sailing Club, which stopped due to World War One.

Mr Watson said: “It was a light-hearted presentation to give a flavour to the young people of the legacy that we have.

“Glasses were raised to hopes of many more years of fine sailing off our excellent shore.”

He added that the club wanted to continue its tradition of bringing young people onto the water through its junior section.