RNSYC to celebrate special reception

THE Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club will celebrate a major landmark in style and return to its roots with a special reception next week. The Lowestoft-based club will hold the event at the Maids Head Hotel, in Norwich, on Thursday, precisely 150 years after its first meeting took place at the same spot.

THE Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club will celebrate a major landmark in style and return to its roots with a special reception next week.

The Lowestoft-based club will hold the event at the Maids Head Hotel, in Norwich, on Thursday, precisely 150 years after its first meeting took place at the same spot.

The club was formed to try to control unruly professional watermen at a time when big-money prizes spurred competition. At first it was based in Norwich, and then it moved to its present clubhouse in Lowestoft in 1886.

Much of the club's activity has involved sailing on the Broads, and members have always enjoyed VIP patronage.

The Prince of Wales - later King Edward VII - became the first royal patron in 1867, and now the Duke of Edinburgh serves as patron.

Between the wars the club developed an international reputation and became one of the UK's most influential yacht clubs, the first international success coming in 1924 with the British-America's Cup racing against the Americans.

In 1932 the club sent the first UK international dinghy team abroad to race against the US and Canada.

By the centenary year Great Britain had gained only two Olympic gold medals in the previous 50 years - and these had both been won by members.

Sir Timothy Colman, who joined in 1946 and was club admiral from 1978 to 1995, will speak at an informal supper after the anniversary event.