York Motor Yacht Club
PORTHOLE
Spring 2016
Welcome all, to the Spring edition of Porthole. Better late than never…… and with the
season underway with a glorious start to May, let’s hope we can put the unseasonal
temperatures of late April behind us and move on with a cracking boating season. It was a
winter to forget with the unusually high river levels, and our boats inaccessible for much
of that time. But that was then, and this is now, so onwards we go
A warm welcome to all members new and old to York Motor Yacht Club for the start of the
2016 Boating Season and some new faces on the committee to go with it:
President - Michael Robinson
Treasurer – Edward Nutter
Secretary – Melanie Lyon
Flag Officers:
Commodore – Stephen Savage
Committee:
House Chairman – Lynn Mortlock
Bar Chairman – Ken Austwick
Grounds Chairman – Michael Williamson
Social Chairman – Pete Willett
Galley Chairman – Shauna Devonshire
Moorings Chairman – Robin Woodruff
Maintenance – Chris Devonshire
River Liaison – Glyn Morris
Each has their own committee to help the club run for the benefit of everyone so if you
feel like getting involved with the Club just pick one and ask.
The committee is there to help. If you have any issue please approach them and if they
can’t help you they can usually point you in the right direction.
What a great start to this year’s boating season. We kicked off with the Fitting Out
Supper at Easter with the Abba tribute night, have already had our first rally of the
season to Naburn Lock, and then last week enjoyed the company of the Governors with the
new room layout. (“Yes Pete” will be delighted to receive your feedback on how it was for
you)
The bar is open at the club Friday and Saturday nights usually 7 till 11pm (sometimes
later), prices are kept low and we are always happy to see everyone. Welcome to Ken who
has taken over as Bar Chairman, and also to Ashton Needley who will be working to assist
in the bar on Fridays and at club functions.
The Chef, Andy, is with us again Friday nights this season and menus are e mailed each
week to all members so you can make your menu selections in advance. If you do not
receive a copy of the Friday night menu can you let Mel the Secretary know so she can add
you to the mailing list (don’t want you to miss out!)
Last year we found a bloke with a boat at Linton to come and do some Friday night quizzes
for us, and then couldn’t keep him away. “Yes Pete” will be our quizmaster again every
Friday night throughout the season, commencing around 9pm after everyone has eaten.
Back by popular demand as they say.
Stan and the awakening
Stan our talking dog was sitting crossed legged in a deck chair, sunglasses firmly in place
on our command bridge, he was flicking through a copy of ‘Porthole’ YMYC’s not to be
missed classic magazine. He was trying his best to impress me by turning one page after
another and making annoying comments like ‘I see’ and ‘that shouldn’t be allowed’ his pained
face reflected his intense concentration. I didn’t have the heart to tell him the magazine
was in fact upside down!
Stan took a large bite out of a massive bar of milk chocolate the size of his head, followed
by a long swig out of a bottle of diet lemonade. Yes a bar of full fat chocolate in one paw
and a Diet drink in the other. Just doesn’t make any sense, but I bet you’ve done it!!
The morning spring air had a faint sweet smell about it and new life was clearly returning
to the riverbank. The flooding of the winter months was behind us as if a bad dream and
our beloved boat ‘Dizzy’ (Aquadisiac) was crying out for a full clean up.
Although we were a bit late, I had decided with Stan’s full approval that it was probably
time to wake up Dizzy’s trusty engines, Penelope and Stella. This has always been a bit of
an issue and Stan kindly reminded me that the girls did not always take kindly to being
prodded after a long sleep. (Does that ring any bells fella’s)?
I carefully lifted the floor hatch in the saloon, Stan held my belt and I leaned cautiously
over the sleeping pair and fumbled for the seacocks deep down in the bilges. Penelope’s
opened smoothly. However, Stella’s was a little stiff, with a sharp twist it was open. At
this Stella hissed with disapproval, Stan’s footing faltered and losing his grip with his paw
in my belt, I was in. Within seconds both the girls were wide awake, Stan panicked and
headed full speed up the ladder to the command bridge leaving me struggling to get out of
the oil smoothed bilges. My hands trembled with fear and emotion as the girls kicked
themselves into action.
As I lay awkwardly on the floor trying to force the miss - fitting hatches back in place, I
could just see through the cabin windows, large clouds of black smoke billowing from
Dizzy’s rear quarters. Both engines under me were moaning and groaning like a hippo with a
bad case of colic in an African mud bath.
The boss appeared from the galley, giving me one of those go get on with the cleaning
looks. I jumped up and made it to the third step, when a bucket and sponge caught my left
ear as it was thrown from the galley with great accuracy through the upper deck doorway.
Stan was out on the port side gunnels hanging over the railings chatting to a passing sheep
that had come to see what all the commotion was about. The sheep’s name was Lucy and
they were discussing the European policies on the movement of live animals throughout the
EU!
The boss was safely back in the galley fiddling with her gimbals, the girls were running
smoothly, I was ready to start the cleaning and my dog was talking to a sheep about
politics.
Just another normal day aboard the boat then, happy days everyone!!
Pete Willett – Social Chairman
Stan
Future event news
The dinner dance, in October, is going to be held in house using outside caterers doing the
full show food, service, washing up the full works.
The band for the “doo” is a well known York outfit called 'The Steve Cassidy Band'. It will
be a black tie event
The Southampton boat in September show now has 31 persons confirmed and some places
are still free, if anyone wants to go, talk to “Yes Pete.”
Our next event on 11th June features a BBQ and 3 piece band. And most importantly, the
chaps are doing the cooking, serving, clearing up, the lot……. We know how to look after
our girls, don’t we lads!!
On the 28th May bank holiday weekend we have our rally to Nun Munkton. We usually start
with something to eat if in the Club House. The Commodore usually starts the rally at
11.00am with other boats to follow, although we might set off earlier if the weather is
good. Watch out for details. Once moored up at the beach at Nun Munkton Pool, and
assuming you are able to get off your boat by remembering to bring a ladder, you will have
a chance to enjoy the surroundings and relax, in the convivial company of your fellow
members. We usually have a great time.
On the beach at Nunmunkton. 28th May. Bring a ladder!
Have a great season everyone.
Editor……
(Denis)