Royal Tay Yacht Club, Dundee

Last Saturday, 28^th August, over 60 members and guests thoroughly enjoyed a fun Casino Night in the Club as part of the 125 Anniversary Celebrations.

The Clubroom was suitably decorated with bunting, balloons and decals and the windows were blacked out, in traditional casino style. The atmosphere was in keeping with the Bond theme and special mention must be made of the bar staff who entered into the swing of things, especially Allison who was suitably dressed as a Bond girl.

Mr Brook Bond welcomes the Guests

Kirriemuir Rotary Club provided the gaming tables and croupiers for the night. Roulette, Blackjack and “Chuck-a-Luck” were the games and the gentlemen from the Rotary Club certainly entered into the spirit of the occasion. After explaining all the rules and providing free chips for the first half hour, the tables then opened for some serious gaming.

During the initial stages, everyone was quite conservative with their bets but as the night progressed and the spirits flowed, caution was thrown to the wind. Screams of delight were frequently heard, especially from the roulette table, as lady luck came out to play on occasions. Some of the more serious gamblers tried to beat the table limits and break the Bank but the eagle eyes of the croupiers soon put them in their place. Despite the occasional offer of bribes, especially from the women, the gentlemen stuck to their principals.

Throughout the evening, beautiful canapés were served until everyone was satisfied. The gaming, socialising and banter continued until shortly after 10.30pm when the tables officially closed. A frenetic last 15 minutes saw large amounts of chips being staked in an effort to win the “overall chip winner” prize. Unfortunately many a fortune was blown away towards the end but at least it was “someone else’s money”, came the shout. All chips were converted into raffle tickets and an assortment of prizes was awarded to the lucky winners. The overall chip winner was none other than the 125 Anniversary Co-ordinator, Euan Webster (“typical accountant” – “money goes to money” – were some of the more complimentary comments!!).

The party continued until midnight when some of the guests were last seen trying to get into taxis with large helium balloons, heading for the real casino. Fortunately the taxi drivers refused to take the Bond cut-outs unless someone paid for the additional passengers!!

Overall, everyone enjoyed another fantastic night of fun and entertainment as part of the 125 Anniversary Celebrations. Special thanks must go to Ron and Andrea Learmonth as well as Julia Webster for all the hard work they put into organising the night and especially for decorating the clubroom. Thanks must also go to the gentlemen of Kirriemuir Rotary Club, Claymore Catering and our own Bar Staff for all their support in making the night another one to remember.

A selection of photographs can be viewed in the Photo Gallery section of this Web Site.

Despie the best efforts of Mother Nature this was again a great RTYC125 event was it not!

Apart from one day when ideal conditions prevailed and 3 races were squeezed in, the other days suffered from either very little wind, too much wind or torrential rain!  However the enthusiasm of those participating and an excellent adaptable Race Box Team who adjusted the programme to suit the prevailing conditions, ensured a great competitive but fun week.

Not content with her efforts to disrupt the sailing, Mother Nature continued being difficult by providing a stiff cool wind for the Prizegiving BBQ on the Friday evening.  However once again the troops rallied and a great night was had by all as can be seen from the photographs in the 'Photo Gallery' section of this Web Site.

Bob Wilson

RTYC125Publicity

RTYC 125 Anniversary

East meets West Muster

A Report from “Strumpy”

This gathering of like minded souls as part of the celebration of 125 years of Royal Tay Yacht Club was held on 22 and 23 June in the glorious setting of Fort Augustus on the Caledonian canal. The weather conditions were ideal except for the 2 boats making the passage from the Tay who were unable to attend as they were faced with a severe northerly wind stream requiring extended and uncomfortable refuge in Stonehaven harbour. Yacht “Danna” made the passage from Dundee via Cape Wrath (which they have still to see due to offshore fog). The oldest boat in the fleet (built 1951) “Midnight” and Sonata “Fiddlers Three” circumnavigated a large part of Scotland via the 3 canals, Forth and Clyde, Crinan and Caledonian, a very notable achievement. In all 8 boats and more importantly 34 people (including 7 pissed sorry past commodores of RTYC) mustered for two days of celebration, fun and continual banter.

The “formal” part of the festivities kicked off with a Pimms Pontoon Party with the boats suitably dressed overall. This cocktail was slipping down nicely when a past Commodore decided to fortify the proceedings with a large bottle of gin. His progress later on down the canal bank from his elevated barbecuing position was perhaps indicative that he was more a victim of the juniper addition than others. The “Cluaran Dhu” contingent used the cover of the Pimms Party to affix some unkind (but appropriate) signs on the boat with the “young” crew.

On Day 2 at 1017 hours (he was late for his own 10am briefing) Past Commodore Nicol resplendent in his “Eric Morcambe” khaki shorts briefed the skippers on the grand Loch Ness pursuit race.

The keenly fought race took place in gusty winds and the planned rafting up mid loch at the end of the race had to be abandoned. Also abandoned was the retaking of wedding vows ceremony dreamt up the evening before in an alcoholic haze. It would seem that a certain past commodore’s lady is quite relieved that this did not take place…can’t think why.

In the evening everyone assembled in a local hostelry for a splendid 3 course dinner. Past Commodore Nicol announced the prize winners for the Pursuit Race. The oldest boat in the fleet “Midnight” took line honours and was the winner, “Fiddlers Three” won the Spinnaker Class (only boat) whilst “Danna” got the prize for the best grounding (pretty spectacular given the enormous depths of Loch Ness). Alice Williams defeated her husband soundly to win the golf trophy.

At the close, the oldest member on parade “Alastair Bremner” (aged 92) proposed a toast to the “150 anniversary muster” stating that providing his son is still alive to take him he would be there. It was interesting to watch everyone trying to work out their respective ages plus 25 years and considering the result!

All going well many RTYC members will enjoy a “150 muster” but on the strength of the “125 muster” they will have to go some to beat it.

Footnote: All using the Caledonian Canal were very impressed with the warmth, friendliness and help from the canal staff.....a marked contrast to a number of years ago.

EDITOR'S COMMENT:- 

A selection of excellent photographs (provided by Euan Webster, Sandy Bremner and Ross Will)  can be viewed on the Photo Gallery section of this Web Site.  These are well worth viewing and will let you see that it was obviously an excellent event and why Hugh Scott is looking so despondent?

On Sunday 16^th May, members and their guests enjoyed a superb, relaxing afternoon in Fort William House at the Club’s 125^th Anniversary Champagne Luncheon and Silent Auction.

In the surroundings of the main Clubroom, which was beautifully set out for the occasion, everyone was welcomed with a glass of Champagne. Prior to lunch, there was plenty of chat amongst those present and, with regular top-ups of fizzy, the atmosphere was extremely convivial.

Following the Commodore’s eloquent grace, the food was served – smoked salmon blinis, soup, champagne sorbet, “Jennifer’s chicken” (with a vegetarian option) followed by sweet, coffees and petit fours, all accompanied with fine wines. The food was beautifully prepared and served in keeping with the relaxed atmosphere.

A silent auction was held throughout the afternoon and there was frantic activity in trying to secure the top bids before the Commodore “rang the bell” on proceedings. A total of over £350 was raised – thanks to everyone who participated. Our appreciation also goes to all the members and businesses who very kindly donated such a variety of auction prizes.

A special thank you must go to Judy Young and Alison Barnett who put in a power of work in planning the whole event. Thanks must also be recorded to Claymore Catering as well as Mandy and her staff for helping make our first Luncheon so enjoyable for all.

A number of guests suggested that this type of event should be repeated in future and this clearly demonstrates the success of the day. For those who were not there, watch this space for future luncheons.

Thanks to everyone who supported the Luncheon and I look forward to seeing you and your friends at our other events planned for the 125^th Anniversary. A selection of photographs from the afternoon can be viewed in the Photo Gallery section of this Web Site.

Euan S Webster

RTYC 125 Co-ordinator