Petition to remove Blue Flag Warrants

[EdWingfield]

Then his reading is selective. He might enlighten himself by reading that people other then Brits and Americans have navigated. eg. Search on Chinese, Portugese, Polynesian, Viking, Dutch navigators. (Excuse me if I've forgotten other important people)

 

[Lizzie_B]

Maybe its to do with size of boat and where people sail to. The most arrogant and ignorant yachtsman (other than some charter boaters) I've ever met was very proudly wearing his defaced red. The only club I have ever looked into whose application form specifically stated that 'acceptable social status was just as important in the membership application process as sailing interests' was a defaced red club (not the same one). The only blue duster 'snob' I have ever met was ironically flying it 'illegally' on his 24 ft boat.

As you say, I'm sure there are good examples and bad in every ensign and every club, but you're right, people do tend to remember blue ensign cock ups more than red ensign ones, although of course the ensign is no indicator of ability.

 

[SailorFrank]

[ QUOTE ]
This thread is beginning to get very chippy. Reminds me of the story of the tourist who asked a fisherman why he didn't put a lid on his box of crabs to prevent them escaping. The fisherman replied; "These are British crabs ma'am, if one tries to climb out of the box the others will drag it back."

Fer Gawd's sake - "live and let live". What bloody business have any of you telling other people what they can and can't do on their own boats.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think this is the only post that makes sense

 

[Seagreen]

Lovely ship.

Dare I suggest that to make the project totally historically accurate, that as soon as she's launched, she gets captured and put on display alongside the Warrior in Pompey?


/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Seagreen]

Ensign schmensign! Some of the nicest people I know have coloured/defaced ensigns. Some people I'd sail onto a reef to avoid do too. So stuff the label. Just laugh at people who feel they need a different colour on their sterns, feel sorry for their internal insecurity.

And in a spirit of frank openness, this hangs off my mizzen gaff:

"Hello everyone. My name is Mac and I fly a Devon Regatta Ensign..." Shuffles feet to supportive applause from group.

 

[tome]

You've got to admit that ensign looks really naff to the eye?

 

[Gunfleet]

Name and shame. I think one of the Essex clubs has a defaced red... I hope it's not them!

 

[sailorman]

Cutlasses @ dawn /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Seagreen]

I'd have done it differently, to be sure. But as it was approved by a vote of BBC Radio Devon listeners, it is one of the few national and sub-national flags on the planet to be democratically chosen. (or is that just a large committee?)

Also it really REALLY annoys the Cornish!

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[Gunfleet]

Oh sod it, I've just remembered it's Mersea. Well, no need to pre-empt Tillergirl... or perhaps there is. I don't believe for one minute THEY would expect your social status to outweigh your interest in boats. Many a fine lunch I've had there (well, very edible anyway) and as friendly a group as you can find. Phew!

 

[sailorman]

seen many a fine sun-set there

 

[Gunfleet]

Anyway, it should be Seaxes at dawn.

 

[tome]

[ QUOTE ]
Also it really REALLY annoys the Cornish!

[/ QUOTE ]

It doesn't just annoy the Cornish

 

[sailorman]

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[tazzle]

The wearing of ensigns on little boats making passage in home waters around our coasts, harbours and marinas is quite quaint and cute, and I'm really rather in favour of it, but it's entirely unnecessary, at least in law.

As for blue ensigns, well there will be those who will wear one as unaffectedly and unpretentiously as they wear their RN tie, considering it no more than proper dress.

And there will be those who have fallen into membership of clubs so entitled, by birth or peer group or long acquaintance, who will wear a blue ensign as a token of good manners.

And there will be those whose affection for and belief in their small vessels motivates them to seek out some badge or mark of distinction for her. Its a very fine thing that people should value their boats highly enough to do this.

And I suppose there will be those who are unsure about their accent or their background or their education who will seek the sumptuary badges of a status that they would aspire to, for themselves rather than their small craft, and there is really nothing wrong with this either - the aspiration for upward social mobility is also a very good thing.

No, on the whole I can see no good arguments against blue ensigns. When I had a larger vessel capable of sustained cruising I was happy to wear the CA blue ensign, and perversely pleased by the unexpected little bit of card signed by the C in C Naval Home Command (in those days) that warranted my right to do so. These days it's no longer really appropriate and I'm just as happy with my splendid yard and a quarter red ensign.

For anyone really aggrieved by blue ensigns, I'd suggest adopting the virtue of our own dear Queen in simply not noticing what anyone else is wearing.

 

[Danny Jo]

[ QUOTE ]
Let the snobs keep their blue ensigns. I will continue to have pride in the red ensign

[/ QUOTE ] I perhaps have as much pride in my defaced blue ensign as others have in their red ensign. I must admit a tinge of embarrassment too, but only at the thought that others may regard me as stuck-up. I wear it because all my friends at the club wear them, and I don't want to seem stand-offish. I think my chums would laugh if someone called them snobs - there's a carpenter who runs a council-funded workshop for people with disabilities, a retired timber treatment expert, an engineer, a long-distance truck driver, a retired quantity surveyor, a bloke who made his money laying pipelines in Siberia or somesuch and built his own boat, and ex-Labour MP, a fireman, a solicitors' secretary, a retired schoolteacher and a retired doctor.

Exclusive? Snobs? We've got a special offer on this month and next - half price membership and only £10 joining fee. Does this lot look exclusive? Pictures taken at our recent regatta prize-giving, not all of those pictured are members.

Royal Welsh Yacht Club

 

[searover]

Well said raedweld,you can be promoted, to ambassador. But i wonder why? there are always the few that worry too much about what everyone else is doing.i guess some things never change... Fair winds and good sailing to all...

 

[Lizzie_B]

Re: Name and Shame - guess who..

From their website advice on how to become a member.

"..Yacht Club is a prestigious, well run, and friendly club of high reputation both on the water and ashore. New members are always welcome. These Guidance Notes are written to encourage a smooth application process for candidates for Membership of the Club, and are designed to answer most queries from proposer, seconder, and applicant. In following these Notes, it is useful to bear in mind the main object of the Club, namely:

'To encourage and promote yachting in all its aspects…'

The future of the ....... ......... Yacht Club relies on its Membership. The General Committee as the executive of the Club is likely to look favourably on the candidate who would enjoy the Club, who would “fit in”, and who would play an active part afloat or in the Clubhouse. Social acceptability is important, as is the appreciation of the Club ethos.."

And they even check out your Missis - so I'd have no chance, her being Cornish and all.

"...In the Club the emphasis is very much on the family. Whether or not the Applicant’s spouse is also a candidate for Family Membership, he/she should be invited to the interview and must, of course, do so if included in the application..."

The good thing is, if you don't apply for her to be a member, she's only allowed in the clubhouse a maximum of six times a year..
"This is a family-oriented club, and a candidate is encouraged to bring his/her spouse into membership as a Family Member. A married candidate should be made aware that a non-member spouse, as any other guest, is limited to six visits to the Club in a year." Cor. What Bliss.

I think I'll stick with me blue - Yer pays yer 24quid and that's it!! I'm certainly not up to red standard - even if I could afford it.
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[ShipsWoofy]

[ QUOTE ]
Does this lot look exclusive?

[/ QUOTE ]

Truthfully, yes, sorry.

p.s. Does your club house flood regularly, I often go bare foot into the clubs, but never booted!

 

[Gunfleet]

Re: Name and Shame - guess who..

Royal Lymington... you should have said. My missus is much posher than me, so I'm a shoe in. The only fly in the ointment is, she thinks six visits to a yacht club in a year is five too many.

ps 'Prestigious \Pres*tig"i*ous\, a. [L. praestigiosus.]

Practicing tricks; juggling. [Obs.]

--Cotton Mather.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary '