Just remember

by Tony Tomkins

  

During discussions on the furure organisation of the Green Wyvern, Tony Tomkins advised members to remember the aims and objectives Cecil bred into the Club in 1947; urging everyone to remember what it really means to be a member of the Green Wyvern Yachting Club

 

Cecil Howard, the first Commodore of the Green Wyvern Yachting Club, learned to sail long before the Second World War, but it was in 1947, when he and his brother Bert were teaching at two Leicester grammar schools . . . Cecil at the City Boys, Bert at Alderman Newton’s . . . that the two of them decided to form a club to provide sailing holidays for their pupils and friends.  The emblem of the City Boys (and of the City of Leicester) was a wyvern and Alderman Newton’s, where the uniform was a green blazer with a red badge, was popularly known as the Greencoat school. Hence the name of the club and it’s burgee.
   

Over the years, the Club has seen some changes. To start with, we hired yachts; now those available to the Club are owned by members. Early on, membership was extended beyond the founder schools, from which, sadly, we no longer recruit. The Club's activities have been expanded to include family cruises and the organisation of races. In 1991, control passed to a committee and women and girls were admitted to membership. Nevertheless, one of the Green Wyvern’s most remarkable characteristics had been its continuity. Cecil was Commodore for almost exactly half his long life (1905-1990), his successor, Gordon Winterton, was a founder member and many active members joined the Club in its early years.  Moreover, the basic structure at both yacht and cruise levels, and the ranking system, remain precisely as was laid down in 1947. Bert and Cecil did their work well.
   

The Rules which ensue will tell you all you need to know about the 'hidden agenda' . . . the bond that has enabled it to last so long. That bond is not social, or religious, or regional, or political . . . heaven knows, not the last; politics have, over the years, been the spark of many colourful and explosive rows. No: what unites us and calls forth the extraordinary degree of loyalty and affection we feel for our Club, quite simply, fellowship. Whether we were friends before we joined the Green Wyvern, or became friends as a result of joining it, what we find, as the years pass, is that through our membership those friendships become richer and deeper.
   

I think I would find a world without the Green Wyvern as unthinkable as one without a primary colour. If you are new to the Club, stick with us . . . one day you may feel the same about it.

ART

Breydon Bridge

 

Bert Howard

Len Bromley

George Matthews, John Elders and Tony Tomkins at Banham’s Yard, Horning, late 50s

Len Bromley and Gordon Winterton.