If you weren’t at Stormont Yacht Club on Saturday, you missed a really great day of reminiscing, sailing events and outstanding food.
This year the 50th anniversary of the GP14 World Championship Regatta, which was held at SYC in 1967, was celebrated. Boats from all over the world took part in this regatta and the impact had a lasting effect on the club.
Heather Branchard spearheaded a small committee and together they collected pictures, press releases and memorabilia from the event, including the original race entry/result sheet and photocopies of pages from Cornwall’s ‘Golden Book’ which the visitors had signed at the invitation of Mayor Nick Kaneb.
Nick Cox had his G14 on display for those not familiar with the boat to see, and a bit of nostalgia for those of us who sailed in the Club’s ‘dinghy days’. Two current members – Dave Smith and Mike Cox – sailed in the regatta and were on hand to exchange and relate stories of the event – light winds, lasting friendships etc.
Although there were no G14s on the water, we were treated to several Albacores (courtesy of the Sea Cadets), Club Lasers and other dinghies enjoying he brisk winds. This also brought back memories of the Clubs ‘dinghy days’.
Brian Branchard organized a race for the one meter fleet. Unfortunately heavy winds cut the event short but the six skippers did get a few laps in.
Founders’ Day always includes good food, and Joy Clinton and her large group of helpers’ did not disappoint. Rib Fest could very well become an annual event.
A lot of people put in a lot of hours to make this event a success. Thank you.
Next up – CANADA DAY
— Marjorie McCoy
GP14 50th Anniversary Commemoration
In the Summer of 2016, I decided to take on the task of scanning all the old files of SYC incase something should ever happen to them and they were lost to us forever. A very tedious and boring job but one I felt was important.
As I said this was very boring as most of the files deal with property leases and construction permits. As I was scanning creating folders and subfolders I would also read each document, make sure everything was in order and there were no duplicates of paperwork missing.
One file became very interesting to me. That was the GP14 file. As I was going thru it, it amazed me the amount of work that our predecessors went to organize the First World’s Championship that was held at SYC in August of 1967. The file was very extensive and it seemed every member at that time willingly took on the task of helping to make this event special for all the racers and their families.
After spending much time going thru this file, I approached Betty Chaput, Nick Cox and Marjorie McCoy with the proposal of organizing a commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of this well organized event. They were all in agreement that something should be done. We decided to have a small celebration in conjunction with our Founder’s Day.
I then started googling and contacting the various yacht clubs around the world who’s member participated in the 1967 GP14 World’s. Most Yacht Clubs still exist, some do not.
The first person, I heard from was Mike Davis from Trearddur Bay in North Wales. Mike was Silver at the GP14 World’s was very happy to hear from us and that we remembered them. He was very helpful in providing me with additional information, copies of the newspaper clippings and pictures of his medal, of his boat that he still races and of he and his family. He even contact Gill Beddow of the GP14 Association on our behalf. I feel like I personally know Michael and I thank him for all his help. As it so happens our own Clive Williams has ties to Trearddur Bay and even knows some of the people who came over to race in the GP14.
I next came in contact with Geoffrey Manefield from Australia. Geoffrey is still an active person and he also provided me with lots of information. As it so happened, both Geoffrey from Australia and Mike from Wales billeted together at John Shannon’s cottage over on Island 17. I was able to put Geoffrey and Mike in touch with each other after 50yrs.
As and aside John Shannon has since moved back to the UK, s and I was able to provide both he and Mike Davis with each other’s contact information and I hope they have since been able to get together.
The last person, I was able to contact was the winner of the GP14 World’s was Jack Hoad. That is a long story but I sent numerous emails to the Barbados Yacht Club inquiring about Jack. I never heard anything back from them and almost gave up. It just so happened that a friend of mine vacations in Barbados every year, so I asked if she could ask around about Jack and see what the status was for him. The people of Barbados are extremely nice and gave her his home address and phone number which she passed on to me. I called that number and it was an old one, but the person I spoke to was very helpful and readily gave me Jack’s existing number now. I called Jack and spoke to both he and his wife for quite a while. What lovely, helpful people. They remembered everything about their time and the people at SYC. How accommodating and generous our members where to give up their homes, cars and even stock the fridges for them. There was nothing lacking in the hospitality.
I will say that I am proud and humbled by the hard work of these past members and what they went thru to take this on and to make it such a great success. I urge all our members to take a look at the memorabilia that was set up on display this past weekend and to let us not lose our friendly hospitable ways.
— Heather Branchard
Special thanks to Sylvie & Harry for capturing the day and sharing their photos.
