When 18 members of the RC Cruiser Fleet visited South Woodham Ferrers Yacht Club on the 30^thJuly, for a BBQ, we were treated with such warm and friendly hospitality that we were determined that their return visit to us should be a success.

The chosen date for the return visit coincided with the first day of the Blaze Open Meeting, and the first Pontoon Party since before the pandemic. The weather was good with a light westerly wind and a falling tide. This enabled the four participating SW cruisers, carrying eleven members, to arrive just before lunchtime. Three more of their members arrived by road. A good number of the Corinthian Cruiser Fleet arrived to help with the hosting, and we operated a special voucher system so that the Cruiser Members could provide a light lunch for the SW visitors. Several of our members were also kind enough to donate funds, to ensure that some drinks could be provided for the visitors. We all had the intention to reciprocate the generosity that we had received on our visit to them.

I think I can say without doubt that everyone who attended enjoyed the lunch very much. The Club was buzzing with participants of the Blaze Open, other members attending for lunch, and a large party for our joint cruiser lunch. The Club’s Staff deserve high praise for the way that they coped with these varied, and complicated, requirements. The kitchen staff also excelled themselves providing excellent food for all, coping with the high demand.They even conjured up a birthday cake out of thin air, so that we could celebrate Mel Adams’(SWFYC) birthday, with singing and some candles on the cake. The club’s launch service should also be praised. They managed to show our visitors to moorings and transport them comfortably to and from their boats, despite already having a very busy day on other activities. It was truly a day to be proud of and enjoy our club. I’m sure our visitors must have been impressed.

The day didn’t end with the lunch, a lot of our visitors stayed on to enjoy the Pontoon Party (fully reported elsewhere). We even had a formation flypast from the Red Arrows. I don’t know who organised that, but it really went down well with our visitors. Our grateful thanks should go to Steve and Katherine Barham who worked so very hard to make the day a success, whilst constantly trying to convince me that I had organised it.

Tom Keeper

Corinthian Cruiser Fleet

Participating Boats from the SWFYC Cruiser Fleet:

Northwind – Mirage 28 – Steve Williams (Commodore)

Dawn Mist -Leisure 23SL – Pete Garrod (Rear Commodore), Bethan Evans (Kayak Captain) and her partner Dan, with John & Mel Adams

Poppy  – Westerly Pageant – The Sharpe Family (Jo Sharpe is SWFYC cruiser captain).

Copernicus -Colvic Sailer – Jim Wolf

Arrived by Road:

Doug and Sue MacEwan, and Jim Wolf’s partner Patty.

‘Click on thumbnail to see the full picture’