The Royal Visit to WMYC

Tim Wood, Commodore, writes:-

“On Tuesday 10th March 2020 the Club was honoured to receive Royal visitors, Their Royal Highnesses the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Unfortunately I was not able to be there, as I was away abroad on pre arranged holiday, but my predecessor as Commodore, Ian Shay, kindly stood in for me as ‘acting Commodore’ for the day, and recollects as follows” :-

 

Two factors dominated the day. The first – well illustrated by the top pictures! –  the tide, which led to the last minute cancellation of the planned visit to the Company Shed and to a quick change to the arrival arrangements.

 

The second was the informal approach taken by the Royal couple to the whole visit. As the pictures show Members in the bar had ample opportunity to chat to them as they made their way to the Long Room.

 

The Lord Lieutenant’s office had assembled groups representing farming, fishing and oyster production, local artists and various voluntary groups to represent the Island’s activities.

 

The Royals chatted at length to all the groups and then had a sandwich lunch in the Molliette Bar.

 

By this time the tide had receded sufficiently to allow the party to leave by the main entrance but not before we collected some famous signatures in the visitors’ book!!

 

The Club was honoured to host this part of the visit to coastal Essex by the Earl and Countess.

 

Tim and I have both received letters from the Royal Household and the Lord Lieutenant saying how much they had enjoyed the day and the warm welcome from the Club.

 

 

Ian Shay

Our thanks to Chrissie Westgate and Peter and Alison Pangbourne for compiling the selection of photos as a record of the royal visit.