Midlands Coastal Cruising Club (MCCC) was formed in the early 70's by a group of West Midlands sailing enthusiasts, members of Dudley Sailing Club and Water Sports Centre, following a course of navigation at a local night school. They had finished their course and wanted to keep together and further their interest in sailing. In those days only a few people had larger boats: most people being dinghy sailors looking for broader horizons. Initially the Club met at the Dudley Watersports Centre at Lodge Farm Reservoir Netherton.

In 2007 the Club moved its location to Ashwood Social Club premises at Ashwood Marina alongside the Staffs & Worcs Canal.

We are very grateful to Ashwood Social Club and Ashwood Marina for allowing us to use their facilities.

As members spend their summer time sailing, the Club is a place to come in the winter to swap yarns and hear about the exploits of others including some very accomplished sailors. From time to time the Club also welcomes speakers on subjects as diverse as the flowers of Cannock Chase and chain making.

The Club has been privilged to welcome many famous people.

Ownership of a boat is not necessary. Some members do own boats: some of them are quite large. Some own day sailors and sailing dinghies others canal boats. Quite a few have no boat at all, the overiding objective of the club is simply "to further an interest in boating".

As Ratty remarked to Mole in Kenneth Grahame's book Wind in the Willows:

Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, 

half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.

There are about 20 members.  The doors to the Club House open at 7.30pm and meetings start at 8pm. We usually finish by 1030pm. None members are allowed 3 visits per year on payment of an entrance fee of £3 per visit. 

For 2020 Membership is £15 per person.

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
All I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the seagulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And a quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trip's over.

Sea Fever by John Masefield