Prizegiving and Dinner Dance at Exe Sailing Club

Exe Sailing Club prizewinners © Nigel Walshaw

Exe Sailing Club held its annual Prizegiving and Dinner Dance on Saturday 2nd of March in the clubhouse. Guest from other sailing clubs and members were entertained at dinner by the amazing magician, Gary, and the rooms looked wonderful after imaginative gold star treatment masterminded by Liz Matson and Jane Spree.

In his speech, Commodore Rex Frost referred to the many high profile events of the previous year including the Olympic 1948 torch relay, centenary celebrations and the RS 200 dinghy nationals. He highlighted the achievements of Ian Williams who won his 4th World Match Racing championship as well as young men like Ben Cornish and Sam Matson who are on the threshold of international sailing. Bouquets of flowers were presented to Mary Fagan, social chair and several of her team. The claret jug for the most outstanding contribution to club activity was awarded to Ted Draper who has worked with great energy and enthusiasm to produce a hugely improved catering and bar facility.

Prizes were then presented by Sue Arscott, wife of a previous Vice Commodore and included awards to winners of the 2 Rivers Junior series; George Melbourne (Fast dinghies) and Victoria Upton (slow dinghies).

After clearing away the tables, the well known local duo of Honest John and Ray Beavis set the scene for a couple of hours of lively music and dancing. They succeeded in getting most of the membership onto the floor, with many of the youngest joining in and getting into the spirit of the evening. The night was pronounced a great success by all in attendance and catering staff were given plenty of praise for their efforts.

The sailing season is now nearly with us; the first of the yachts going into the water on the 23rd of March and the first dinghy race on Bank Holiday Monday, 1st of April – no fooling!