Royal Victoria Yacht Club celebrates 175 years
by Helen Vrba 10 Mar 2020 15:27 GMT
23-25 May 2020
The Royal Victoria Yacht Club at Fishbourne is celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2020 © RVYC
The Royal Victoria Yacht Club at Fishbourne is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year. Founded on Queen Victoria's birthday, 24 May 1845, the club was based at what is now the majestic Prince Consort building on Ryde's seafront.
Whilst the club flourished in Victorian and Edwardian times with Royal patronage and many noblemen and gentlemen becoming members, between the wars the club declined and by the 1950s there was very little activity. But a union between RVYC and Fishbourne and Wootton Creek sailing clubs plus a move to its current position at the mouth of Wootton Creek, breathed new life into the club and it continues to flourish as a community sailing club.
"There's a host of events planned to mark this milestone but celebrations will focus on the weekend of 23 to 25 May with a special anniversary race, a sail past and on-shore social events", said new Commodore, Chris Rickman. "We'd like as many former club officers and members to join us on Sunday 24 May to help us celebrate this special occasion and to share their memories of their time at the club".
If you were, or someone you know was, a member of RVYC and would like to attend the event, please contact Helen Vrba on 07969-850986 or email . You can also contact the club office on 882325 or email . If you have any photographs of the club or past events, we'd like to add them to a display and are happy to copy and return them to you.
One of the first events to celebrate the anniversary is a talk on Wednesday 25 March by club archivist, Hilary Martin, who will share some highlights of the club's illustrious history, bringing to life some of the great characters (members and their yachts), over the last 175 years.
The club has active cadet, cruiser and dinghy sections, not to mention a rapidly-growing Scow fleet and new members are welcome. For more information on this and all the events planned, please contact the club or visit www.rvyc.org.uk.