| I was having a trip down
memory lane in the photo albums the other day and found these from 25+
years ago!
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Back then the
Beaumaris Regatta was the highlight of the summer but being poor
teenagers we had no money. With no way of getting there and no where to
stay, the plot was hatched to sail there! For reasons lost in the mists
of time, our first passage started at Rhyl…. And at night! The boat
was towed round there by Tony’s dad Don and we had a third crew member
whose name completely escapes me. All that I remember is that he worked
for Eric Burqvist (sp?) in Lymm (building Folkboats). Anyway, the tides
meant that we set off from Rhyl just before midnight. We had to get out
of the river using a seagull outboard because we couldn’t push the
flood tide, and then it failed on us in front of the Prom with us
getting pushed back onto the wall with the waves! It took us a long time
to get across Colwyn Bay, and we passed the Great Orme around early
morning. By now the wind had freshened and we were running in a
reasonable sea with two genoas set poled out either side and no main! We
sailed through a fleet of Miracles on their way out for a championship
race and the look of bemusement on their faces was a picture. |
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This picture is just after we landed at
Gallows Point around late morning. If memory serves me it took
about10-11 hours to do the run. By far the best bit was the exhilarating
run past Puffin Island and down the Straits to Beaumaris in beautiful
sunshine. Unfortunately it was starting to cloud over when the picture
was taken. |
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Harry Bloomfield's boat |  John Gleeve (standing) |
George Gleeve & Frank Adamson |
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Southport 24hr Race. Did you know that we used to enter a team? This photo is from ‘79 I think, and crewing for me is Bruce; John Burthems Int 14 crew. The club even bought a brand new set of sails through JBs’ association with Robbie Storrar of Storrar and Bax Sails. |
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 The
Commodores Cruise. I think this is 1979 and destination
was Tranmere. Anyway, spot the faces. From the front, left to right,
Phil Cheshire, John Gleave, Dougie,
Don Tomlinson, George Gleave, unknown, Harry Bloomfield and Phil Smith.
The two in the launch I don’t recognise |
 Commodore's Cruise - Tranmere |
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New Starting Hut |
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Tony Tomlinson |  |
This photo was taken on
Puffin Island with Penmon Lighthouse behind. Landing is probably still
prohibited!
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| Anyway, that was
me and I’m still sailing! I live on the Solent near the Hamble, my
current club being Lee on Solent SC. I was a pilot in the RAF for 12
years but now work for BA out of Heathrow flying the Airbus A320/321. |
 Nationals – Filey 2003 |
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