High summer at Haddiscoe

by Gordon Winterton

 

Wyverns do not need much of an excuse to hold a party. There are times, however, when a special cruise is essential, as in 1985.

 
As the Summer Solstice approached the plans for Cecil’s 80th anniversary came to fruition. True, the Friday was dreadful but, though the rain came down in hard and shining pipes, the yachts and crews assembled. Ear1y to arrive were Stella and Modwena , and then Force Four, driven down by Henry, Paul Brierly and myself. It was too wet, too gloomy and too cold, but the occasion rode over the weather and as the Bridge filled up, the beer began to flow and soon the party had, as all Green Wyvern parties do, begun to meld. Altogether nineteen vessels were due with a small shore party. Well over a hundred of us, men, women and children, (some third generation Green Wyverns) were there.

Saturday was better. The sun shone, the wind blew and the tides behaved. So off to Rockland and a forewarned landlord. We all arrived in safety and spent a spleadid lunchtime in the New Inn, drinking and eating and photographing. It was a golden day and a golden occasion. Good council prevailed and there were no problems. The journey back was stimutating and sobering and after a short rest we were ready for the evening.

Helen and Trevor had laid on a magnificent buffet and there was a cake which Cecil cut. As we went in to eat, drinks were on the house. We do not go in for speechifying in the Green Wyvern and talk was restricted mainly to the conversation between guests, who were naturally well into the spirit of things by now. Came the presents; first a picture from an absent friend, Mike Lee, a drawing of Cecil’s four last boats Satyr, Pan, Puck  and Nyanza; a telly, paid for and licenced; and, best of all perhaps, an album of pictures and memorabilia, beautifully printed and bound and presented by the youngest skipper present.
By midnight the party was thinning but no one was anxious to leave. We had had a long day and the occasion had been richly celebrated.

We had planned a Round the Island race for Sunday but it was wet and none too promising. Two or three hardy souls ventured forth but most preferred to watch the progress from the comfort of our bunks.

There was no formal ending. As so often happens at Green Wyvern parties, it happened slowly, rose to a climax and then subsided as we bade Cecil cheerio and good luck yet again and set out for home. The Club had done its Commodore proud and I take this opportunity to thank all who put it together. It was a wonderful weekend.

EGW
1985

 

The cruise to celebrate Cecil’s 80th birthday sailed to Rockland where this photograph was taken