FORMER Cardigan mayor and sailing enthusiast Wynne Evans has been hailed a Maritime Hero in the Old Pulteney Maritime Heroes Awards.

Wynne, from Gwbert, who is in his 80s, was nominated by Teifi Boating Club for his outstanding club service and is one of thirty national semi-finalists selected from the many deserving nationwide entries.

Now in its second year, the annual awards scheme was launched in May by Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky to reward the outstanding passion, commitment and achievements demonstrated within Britain’s maritime communities, at both a local and national level. To launch the competition, Old Pulteney contacted UK sailing clubs asking them to nominate any members they felt deserved recognition within one of the following three categories: Club Service, Bravery or Sailing Achievement.

Since retiring from the police force and then working as a commercial fisherman and town councillor, Wynne dedicated his time to Teifi Boating Club.

He’s the go-to man whenever anything needs fixing around the club, maintaining the club tractor and sailing equipment as well as looking after the club boats used by the Youth Squad. In all weathers, he is regularly spotted around the club yard with a spanner and oil can, sorting out everything from trolley and trailer launches to refuelling safety boat outboards.

His great organisational skills are regularly put to good use during club open and fun days, and Teifi Boating Club organisers believe that the club would be a much poorer place without his boundless energy and ongoing dedication.

To reward Wynne’s efforts, Old Pulteney has presented him with a Maritime Heroes Awards certificate and a bottle of its award-winning 12 Year Old Single Malt. Wynne will now be one of the thirty shortlisted sailing stars going through to the competition finals in December. If successful he will win £2,000, a commemorative trophy and a bottle of what has been dubbed the World’s Best Whisky – Old Pulteney 21 Year Old Single Malt.

Margaret Mary Clarke, Senior Brand Manager- ‘’Old Pulteney is delighted to name Wynne as one of our thirty finalists and we wish him the best of luck for the next stage of the competition.