Weybridge Mariners Club
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September seemed to pass by so quickly, we have a September and
October combined newsletter. How nice to have so many contributors.
My thanks to all and hope for more in the future.
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Commodore’s report:
not to miss it. This Friday. It is an early start
at 8pm with food also so put your name on
board if you want food or let Jan know so she
can cater for correct amount.
We have many events to look forward to
before the end of the year so please support
the club with these.
We had a second pest control report this
week which was satisfactory.
Dear Members
The Dunkirk Vet's Day in September was a
huge success thanks to all members that
helped so much before, during and after the
event. Once again, a big thank you to all who
helped to make the event run so smoothly.
The D.V. has been covered by Jim Pothecary
in the newsletter.
For those who have not been able to come to
the club recently we have a Dunkirk Little
Ship now on our moorings, 'Papillon'. The
owner is Ian Gilbert who is the Commodore of
the Dunkirk Little Ships and also now a
member of our club. Papillon looks very
elegant on our moorings and joined the Sail
Past.
Next was our Ladies Night and how those
men spoilt us all! Delicious 3 course meal
and we didn't have to lift a finger! Thank you
Frank and crew. See Sally's Report.
Thank you also for giving me such a
wonderful Sail Past. It was lovely to see so
many boats passing the clubhouse and
everybody looking so smart. Those who were
unable to come by boat, gathered in the
clubhouse to welcome the boaters and
crews. Even the weather was on our side with
the rain holding off until almost everyone was
safely inside. Just one little party were still
on the other side when the rain started but
Bev quickly rectified that, ferrying them
across. I thought it was a lovely touch to
have the 'Len Outtrim' ferry taking part which
brought back lovely memories of our dear
President. Also well done Roger P. for
winning the photo competition.
Thanks must go to our Vice Commodore Jim
for his organisation of the Event which was
perfect. What a multi-tasker he is. Vice
Commodore, Membership Secretary and
'stand in' Rear Commodore Non Tidal last
Saturday. Who said men can't multi-task!
Brian Mitchell has written a report on the Sail
Past for the newsletter.
Friday evenings are now gaining momentum
and will make a good evening out during the
long winter months, warm, convivial, a laugh,
meeting friends and much more. I wonder if
you would like a games evening one Friday?
If you are interested please let me know.
Also, any suggestions you have for events or
anything else, please put in our suggestion
box. Also perhaps something you are not
happy about! As long as it is signed, the
committee will endeavour to answer at their
next meeting and send a reply. Thank you
all for your support.
Wendy McPhee
Commodore.
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On Friday 24th October we have our speaker,
Malcolm Head, an ex-dredger who even has
artefacts he has pulled from the river in local
museums. On good authority (Steve the
lock-keeper) I am told he is an extremely
interesting speaker. Steve will be attending
too with a few of his relief lock-keepers. Try
Now available from Ann and Mike fowler at
the give away price of only £12.00
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SUNDAY 7th SEPTEMBER
DUNKIRK VETS ANNUAL VISIT
Once again the WMC received the Dunkirk Vets
and others for this unique tribute.
Saturday 28th June
At 12.30 the first batch of Dunkirk Little Ships
arrived, having cruised up from TMYC at
Hampton Court. As each boat navigated into
Shepperton weir pool the Club’s Mooring
Manager and Mooring Master (Brian T and
Chris K) directed them onto their allocated
pontoon. When boats had been made fast by
the Club Mooring Crews (Frank and Brian M
on No. 1 potoon, Mike F and Andrew on No. 2
and Alf and Chris H on the EA pontoon),
Naval Ratings on board each boat helped
less able Veterans to disembark. As club
tradition has it, a lone piper (Ron Brown)
played as they arrived.
Jim and Lesley’s 50th wedding anniversary.
I must apologise for missing this out from the
last newsletter, better late than never:
We would like to thank all those members
who came to our Golden Wedding party for
all their help from laying tables, to doing the
bar and for help clearing up afterwards.
It meant a lot to us to have so many friends
and family to help us celebrate. We had a
great time and we hope you did too.
We are sending a cheque to the Swan
Sactuary for £280 - so many thanks to all of
you for being so generous.
Aboard the boats were veterans from WW2:
Dunkirk,
Normandy,
Arctic
Convoys,
Destroyer Flotillas and Bomber Command,
also including a number of Chelsea
Pensioners. Guests of Honour were Captain
Steven Dainton CBE, Officer Commanding
HMS
Collingwood,
Captain
Johnathan
Holloway, CO of the Sea Cadets Corp,
Lieutenant Commander Prideaux Hattle, OIC
Victory Squadron HMS Collingwood, the
Mayor and Mayoress of Elmbridge, Councillor
Barry Fairbank and the Commodore of the
ADLS, Ian Gilbert.
Lesley and Jim
AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND
ATYC RALLY
This year the Rally was again held at West
India Dock and several of our members
attended. China Rose, Myownie Harvey’s Joy,
Mirabella, Wisecrack, Bibi, Kalipso, Alouette,
Gorjess, Orlando, Lady Redmac Rude Knot
Too and Weather or Knot. 13 boats in all
including the joint membership TSCC boats.
Derek and Sylvia Ross arrived later making
26 people from the Mariners. A great turnout
The traditional boat handling competion was
not held, instead there were many events
which all could participate in. Saturday
evening was spent in a large marquee for an
excellent bbq with a huge variety of good
food. Six pearly kings and queens led a
traditional London pub sing along. Sunday
evening’s meal was a formal affair, again with
good food but this time served to us,
followed by more dancing to the excellent DJ
and the presentation of the prizes to the
winners of the ‘novelty ‘ races.
The general concensus was that it was a
great success and all are looking forward to a
repeat event next year.
Unfortunately, as I am sure you all know, Joy
Bell had an argument with a dockside steel
ladder and ended up in hospital with a
fractured leg. Very pleased to say she is now
on the mend.
Once it began, the flotilla of Little Ships came
fast and furious, amounting to 19 boats; all in
excellent condition, looking as good as new
and proudly flying their colours: the St
George’s Cross defaced with the Dunkirk
coat of arms. It was interesting to see the
large number of gongoozelers (spectators) on
the Weybridge bank, viewing the spectacle of
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boats as they manoeuvred into position.
What a great advert for the club.
Jim Pothecary certainly surpassed himself
his organizing skills for the annual
Commodore’s Sail Past!
A total of 15 boats duly arrived at Lady
Linsey’s Lawns for the muster prior to the
sail past.
We were informed that only the WMC Burgee
was to be flown (I reckon we should fly the
RNLI Burgee as well if so desired.
The order in the sail past having been
decided and confirmed by our intrepid Vice
Commodore the crews made ready for the
sail past to begin.
At the appointed time we slowly proceeded
up river, avoiding where possible the rowers
and other craft, past Desborough Sailing Club
and on past D’Oyly Carte Island.
From here the skirl of bagpipes could be
heard emanating from the club balcony.
SUNDAY 21st SEPTEMBER
There on the clubhouse balcony, looking
resplendent, stood Commodore Wendy and
her husband John awaiting her flotilla
accompanied by Piper Ron Brown.
Wendy took the salute from the passing
boats.
The Flag Officer of the Day, Roger Francis,
duly lowered the Club Flag in response to the
salute.
GLWADYS’S 100th BIRTHDAY BUFFET
Phil Boys’s Mum’s centenary was celebrated
in fine form, I lost count of the numbers of
guests and members but everyone seemed to
enjoy the occasion, especially Glwadys. Phil
had arranged for a visit from a magician who
circulated and amazed everyone with his card
tricks (or was it magic)?
Everything went according to plan, except
the small minor detail of cutting the cake,
which nearly got forgotten!
After a most excellent ploughman’s lunch
Commodore Wendy spoke saying that she
was extremely pleased by the turnout and
thanked all those who had taken part. She
thanked all those who had prepared a most
excellent lunch and she also paid particular
thanks to her V.Comm, Jim, for organizing
the event.
SUNDAY 11th OCTOBER
COMMMODORE’S SAIL PAST and LUNCH
Sonja, who runs an art class at the club, had
been judging the entries to the photographic
competition. Sonja said that the entries were
all good and singled out several with special
mention, but the winning entry was of a
scene on the river depicting Marlow Bridge
taken by Roger Pothecary.
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was almost inaudible at the bar end of the
Club and did not inspire much enthusiasm.
However, in spite of this he did his best and
dancing went on till about 11.30. Everyone
enjoyed the food and the evening.
SATURDAY 4th OCTOBER
LADIES’ NIGHT
Sally has sent the following glowing account;
I have been asked to write a short account of
the ladies night which took place on Saturday
4th Oct, so here goes!
The bar was opened by John McPhee, who
also opened the Club early for the
entertainer. Jim, Roy, Mike, Jean. and Rob
worked on a rota and I did the graveyard
shift, finally closing up at about 12.45 after
the entertainer had cleared all his eqipment
and transported it over the lock.
The club on first entering looked lovely with
the tables all laid nicely with fresh flowers on
every table. The men all looked very smart
with dinner jackets and bow ties. Frank,
Brian, Bob and Peter were all working hard in
the galley and had been all the afternoon.
I felt a bit sorry for the poor guy as no-one
stayed to assist, and I could not help as I was
still clearing, washing glasses and cashing
up etc.
There were a few membership forms being
signed and passed around so hopefully we
have some potential new members.
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We were served by the men. First course was
pate with toast and salad garnish, second
course was breast of chicken in a sauce or
salmon also in a sauce all with fresh
vegetables.
The dessert was a delicious lemon tart with
raspberries and strawberries with ice cream,
followed by cheese and biscuits and coffee.
The whole meal was excellent and it was
lovely to be waited on with a lot of humour
thrown in!
The entertainment was someone new,
“Michael St. Claire”, who was very good, he
sang and played the guitar and got everyone
up dancing. It takes a lot of hard work to
organise such a lovely evening and we all
appreciated it very much, so many thanks to
you all once again.
Sally.
FRIDAY 24th OCTOBER
TALK IN CLUBHOUSE by Malcolm Head.
Malcolm used to work on the River Thames
dredgers and has some facinating stories and
artifacts.
Book for food if required.
SATURDAY 18th OCTOBER
LAYING UP SUPPER
7th – 9th NOVEMBER
This traditional event is supposed to mark
the end of the cruising season but the
weather is so mild that as long as the river
behaves I am sure a lot of Mariners will be
cruising until the last possible moment.
About 55 Mariners and friends attended the
supper which was Fish, Roast Chicken or Pie
and Chips, ordered in specially from the local
fish shop. The sweet was a georgeous
chocolate and fruit mousse, strawberry,
raspberry, blueberry with coulis (a fruit
sauce). Cheese and biscuits with pickles,
finished it off.
All superbly organised by
Jan. We also had the obligatory raffle with
many prizes.
The Club had been decorated the evening
before and really looked great.
Entertainment was provided by Ian Gudgeon,
who played guitar and sang a nice selection
of music. Unfortunately the sound limiter had
cut in a few times when he started so he had
to reduce the volume down to a level which
ANNUAL DINNER DANCE.
Don’t forget your Mariners Bow Ties.
13th DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS PARTY.
14th DECEMBER
CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS PARTY.
31st DECEMBER
NEW YEARS EVE PARTY.
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Bev.
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