Commodores, Blazers, Whites etc

[Bassplayer]

The event which spilt yer tea on Sunday was the RCC ex Commodes sail past.This basically involved getting anything that would actually move to leave the moorings and after 10 mins or so of chaos,depart upriver in the forlorn hope that on our return back down past the club,a line of boats will go past in some sort of order to say thank you to the committee asembled on the pontoon for the work they have put in over many years to keep the club going.
Although the posh boats and the blazers may have caught the eye,among the flottila lurked craft of lesser heritage,including "Rusty" the club dredger/workboat well past its sink by date and only held together by a new coat of scrounged paint.The gentlemen crew who were tastefully attired by the House of Millets or alternatively the latest in a la mode boiler suit.The club flag on the back really could have done with a wash
The sailpast then descends into an unseemly race to get back onto the moorings and up into the clubhouse for large amounts of liquid refreshment and a roast,followed by various discussions about other peoples navigational skills(or lack thereof ) and a chance to explain to all and sundry about what you got up to this year.
My club tie,as usual remained hidden in my jacket pocket,it still has the cellophane wrapper around it.
It will probably remain in its wrapper until I am coerced to to something official or my trousers are falling down.

Thank you, Fred. That clears up everything.
Soo despite being berated by some woman in the car park when I tried to enquire about getting into the RCC, it might be worth joining?
I might have a blazer somewhere. Do tell me when I might be able to slink in there to see what it is like.

 

[epervier]

Tho I think I should have turned around for you.

And I'd probably be met with this:-

you tease you

 

[Lakesailor]

It has to be said that probably most clubs are ok, but you might come across a club where the committee are so far up their own arses they can't see daylight.

I think that is the OP's point.
Motor clubs and others I have been in manage with a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, etc
Why have Commodore etc. Alluding to non-existent connections with the Senior Service?
If they want to play-act like that it's fine, but I feel, like the OP, that it's all a bit Am-Dram and needy.

 

[Bassplayer]

I think that is the OP's point.
Motor clubs and others I have been in manage with a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, etc
Why have Commodore etc. Alluding to non-existent connections with the Senior Service?
If they want to play-act like that it's fine, but I feel, like the OP, that it's all a bit Am-Dram and needy.

Perfectly put. Could not agree more.

 

[timbartlett]

I think that is the OP's point.
Motor clubs and others I have been in manage with a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, etc
Why have Commodore etc. Alluding to non-existent connections with the Senior Service?
If they want to play-act like that it's fine, but I feel, like the OP, that it's all a bit Am-Dram and needy.

Isn't the idea that a pub darts team has any "treasure" or that it needs a "Chairman" and a "Secretary" a bit am-dram? I mean, it's not like they are the board members of a multinational or anything.

Don't golf/tennis/football clubs have "Captains"? Are they "alluding to non-existent connections with the Senior Service" too?

How about clubs that have a "president" -- are the likes of the Womens' Institute planning to start a war in pursuit of their objective of world domination any time soon? Or are they just play-acting?

Commodore, Vice, Rear etc.. are just names. They are traditional, they are pretty well universal, (internationally -- not just UK) and they are appropriate. What on earth is there to object to about them -- other than this (mistaken) perception of "exclusivity"?

 

[fireball]

I think that is the OP's point.
Motor clubs and others I have been in manage with a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, etc
Why have Commodore etc. Alluding to non-existent connections with the Senior Service?
If they want to play-act like that it's fine, but I feel, like the OP, that it's all a bit Am-Dram and needy.

So - those clubs who are connected with the services should be allowed to use Commodore, Vice and Rear C's too?

It's a job title - nothing grandiose about it - I was once asked how to address our Commodore - "I just call him <first name>" ... but I think he was actually after the Commodore's rank as both he and the Commodore were serving at the time! - I wasn't ... hence I didn't need to formally respect the rank


TBH, some clubs have flag officers who are rather aloof, others just get on with it - I'm happy to say that our club is one of those that just gets on with it ...

 

[Poignard]

" ... what is the point?"

The RCC did a strange cruising up and down the Medway past us at a bit more than 6kts today, all dressed in their blazers etc. h... And I thought, what is the point?
.... explain please. Or anyone else!

The 'point' is that that is what they want to do.

The fact that you (and I) might not want to do it doesn't matter.

Wearing funny clothes and cruising up and down the river is not illegal.The law in this country is that anyone can do anything he likes, provided it is not illegal.

To me, that seems like a pretty good basis on which to build a tolerant society.

 

[Searush]

(snip)
To me, that seems like a pretty good basis on which to build a tolerant society.

It'll never work, will it?

 

[Lakesailor]

If they want to play-act like that it's fine, but I feel, like the OP, that it's all a bit Am-Dram and needy.

That is my point. They can do what they want. I think the OP wanted to know why.

 

[george unthank]

"Women not allowed to use the front entrance"? Is that some sort of euphamism?

It's always a bummer for the ladies

 

[Lakesailor]

The front entrance is for cocks.

 

[Keen_Ed]

Well the last time I visited the Squadron a couple of years back, women still weren't allowed to use the front entrance and had to enter the club via a small door round the back. Now, I don't know if that is still the case but I imagine its still a few years before we see commitee members wearing cutoff jeans and hawaiian shirts

"Women not allowed to use the front entrance"? Is that some sort of euphamism?

That's not really the front entrance. The main entrance is the next door to the right, that opens onto the hall to the platform - the one with a cannon either side. The Members entrance was - up until last year - also the entrance for the mens' changing room. Since the alterations last winter, that's no longer the case, but old habits die hard. The "back" entrance is also the door handiest for the ladies' changing room.

(K_E - not a member)

 

[oldgit]

Thank you, Fred. That clears up everything.
Soo despite being berated by some woman in the car park when I tried to enquire about getting into the RCC, it might be worth joining?
I might have a blazer somewhere. Do tell me when I might be able to slink in there to see what it is like.

The club is looking for new members,anybody interested is welcome to come along and if you want to pm me happy to take you along for a beer.
Had always been anti-club and anti-all that blazer and gin brigade,but my boating was starting to become the same old same old and and was starting to think I had done all I was going to do plus my actual number of mates with boats was nil,as opposed to mates who go boating with me.
My weedy efforts were certainly put in perspective on joining the club and discovering some of the trips they had been on either seperately or with the club.Not many places up north to Scandinavia or south into Europe and the MED are unsullied by the club burgee ........and not on the back of a low loader either.
The other thing to remember that motorboat clubs are basically "trade" and full of ex lorry owners,scaffolders,retired company directors from the days when that sort actually used to work for living and other horny handed sons of the soil,we also,whisper it,have a bank manager and some members of the civil service.
This is in direct contrast to a sailing club which is full of exmilitary types and zillionaires who wear blazers in bed and communicate with the wife via signal flags.
Any allegations that I have been seen in the local sailing club are downright lies and most certainly will be taking action in the courts to retrieve my reputation ...a la wotsname and Katie.

 

[Poignard]

'twas but a dream

It'll never work, will it?

I dare say you're right.

 

[Bassplayer]

The club is looking for new members,anybody interested is welcome to come along and if you want to pm me happy to take you along for a beer.
Had always been anti-club and anti-all that blazer and gin brigade,but my boating was starting to become the same old same old and and was starting to think I had done all I was going to do plus my actual number of mates with boats was nil,as opposed to mates who go boating with me.
My weedy efforts were certainly put in perspective on joining the club and discovering some of the trips they had been on either seperately or with the club.Not many places up north to Scandinavia or south into Europe and the MED are unsullied by the club burgee ........and not on the back of a low loader either.
The other thing to remember that motorboat clubs are basically "trade" and full of ex lorry owners,scaffolders,retired company directors from the days when that sort actually used to work for living and other horny handed sons of the soil,we also,whisper it,have a bank manager and some members of the civil service.
This is in direct contrast to a sailing club which is full of exmilitary types and zillionaires who wear blazers in bed and communicate with the wife via signal flags.
Any allegations that I have been seen in the local sailing club are downright lies and most certainly will be taking action in the courts to retrieve my reputation ...a la wotsname and Katie.

That's very kind of you. I'll pm my details with a view to meeting perhaps next weekend?

Just one thing, what do we wear

The OH is concerned that she should look good. I could only find one picture of her on the boat - would this be suitable attire?

 

[gravygraham]

. . . would this be suitable attire?

Does your good lady know you posted that pic? My swimbo would have a few stern words on my ear if I'd done that.

 

[oldgit]

Cripes...........

That's very kind of you. I'll pm my details with a view to meeting perhaps next weekend?

Just one thing, what do we wear

The OH is concerned that she should look good. I could only find one picture of her on the boat - would this be suitable attire?

Ahem.... she is most welcome.
Sorry just read the club rulz again, am unfortunately only allowed to take one person to club.....sorry ....but feel sure you can find something to fiddle with on boat while SWMBO is checking out club

 

[Bassplayer]

Does your good lady know you posted that pic? My swimbo would have a few stern words on my ear if I'd done that.

She thought it was most amusing. She is very laid back. OOPs. Probably not the best thing to say......

Ah, Fred, club rules eh? Be in touch!

 

[oldgit]

Photo from the box brownie of BoatOne

 

[WestWittering]

Am I missing something? Decorated boat - check. Sunny day - check. Best bib & tucker - check. I think it would be a shame if yet another tradition was ended, just to appease a minority (again). Each to your own - it doesn't particularly float my boat - geddit, but I would be delighted to see them chug past whilst I was fiddle-faddling about on the river and give them a smile & a wave.

And if they have worked hard for their club (probably mainly unthanked uncredited) and now command a bit of respect and a fancy title - hurrah to that! I am more than happy to show a bit of respect to club officials, more so than to a bunch of faux 'ladyships, sirs & lords' given titles for sweet FA, other than filling the coffers of the latest political charlatans!

I sometimes think there are a lot of miseries on this forum

Di