RYA

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Peegee

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Been a member of RYA for a few years, despite the feeling that I was'nt getting moneys worth. One of the perks was the RYA lounge at the boat shows, always friendly and somewhere to sit with a cuppa when we needed a break.
Then .....Friday at Southampton we were bounced out for eating our own sandwiches (even though we had bought tea )
It was only SWMBO who, although normally not wanting a fuss, insisted on sitting there till she had finished her sandwich and tea !
Had a quiet complain to the staff on the door who referred me to the same Gentleman !!! who had asked us to leave..He then proceeded to get out of his pram and saw us off the premises. Now I'm not some scruffy layabout and we are just a pair of quiet old middleaged boaters, but over the top did'nt even come into it !
Did I misunderstand the RYA bit of the lounge ? When I stated that I was an RYA member he stuck his nose right in my face and said "I'm Royal Southampton Yacht club ! " What did I miss?
Needless to say RYA have lost a member. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
 
email wotsisname /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif @ rya, the head geezer /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. let him kickass. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
i certainly would not have left for royal sarfampton /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif or anyone else for that matter /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
Well - whoever is doing the catering will have had to pay staff etc so perhaps there is a valid point to not allowing the consumption of own food. However, there should have been a notice to that effect - which I presume there wasn't - and even if there was, there are ways of asking people not to do so - eviction sounds a little harsh. Equally harsh sounds your decision to curtail your membership. They do a good job and need our cash - the issue you have with them seems to be more to do with someone they have hired rather than the RYA itself. I'm sure they'd be mortified if you penned a suitable letter - who knows, you may get an apology and free entry to another boatshow!
 
Yeah, I know, bloody maddening. And to be bawled out by a member of the Royal Garage Owners' Club adds insult. But frankly the RYA is about more than mouldy sandwiches. They may not be perfect, but they are the only representative body we have. I would suggest you remain a member and put yourself up for Council.

Failing that, write to Rod Carr and tell him that the RYA Lounge failed you and SWMBO, and recommend he kicks ass and takes names.

Then return in January and see if things are any better at the "new", revamped LBS.
 
Not quite true, I think, that the R.Y.A. is the only representative body we have. On certain specific matters, such as navigation routes, the Cruising Association is consulted and makes strong representations. Indeed I believe that they continued at the Dibden Bay enquiry even after the RYA had withdrawn their objections. I'm a member of both, but have to say that I am increasingly disillusioned with the RYA which seems to be more of a semi independent Quango than an organisation fighting for the interests of boating people with vigour--but when they receive so much government money for Olympic Sailors what can you expect?Dare not lose themoney, or they will lose their jobs! The CA gets no government money and relies on volunteers to put its case to enquiries etc.--truly independent and not likely to be bought off by frowning from above.
 
[ QUOTE ]
They do a good job and need our cash

[/ QUOTE ]

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Maybe I'm just ill-informed, but what has the RYA done for "us" lately???

It seems to me that the only thing the RYA is interested in is the RYA and generating as much revenue as possible from courses.
 
We (family of 4 with 2 young kids) were also asked not to eat our own food although we did at the last London boat show without any hassle. We've been members for 2 years - first year for ICC then I'm not really sure why we re-joined this year but the positive aspects of the lounge at the LBS did have an impact. The negative aspect of the lounge at the SBS will likely mean that I won't re-join next year. I must admit to be struggling to find a reason to stay a member given I don't race, don't use much diesel and have no idea what the Dibden enquirey is/was?
 
The RYA "lounge!!" at SIBS is run by THE ROYAL SOUTHAMPTON" I don't know why but they should at least inform the members of this and let us know what the ground rules are.Looking forward to a reply from the RYA on this one.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Maybe I'm just ill-informed, but what has the RYA done for "us" lately???It seems to me that the only thing the RYA is interested in is the RYA and generating as much revenue as possible from courses.

[/ QUOTE ]I agree. Maybe one of the senior RYA bods might like to jump in and explain their position. But do you think they will? Or will they try to have it pulled?

If anyone knows someone at the RYA maybe they would let them know of the existence of this thread.
 
I'm also a member of both organisations, and I'm inclined to agree with your comments. The RYA would be a more effective representitive organisation if it had far fewer employees, and more voluntary involvement.

A few years ago when the Hooray Henry branch of the Treasury came sniffing around our part of the world, I contacted the RYA looking for advice. Response was a total lack of interest. Don't know why I bothered continuing the membership - inertia probably.
 
Simple question, what was he going to do if you refused to leave and continued eating your sarny? Physically remove you - Assault charges I think. Call the Police/swat team/ATG - by the time they arrive (if they even turned up at all) you would have finished your snack. Remember, YOU were the victim. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif The law would be on your side, I mean a big bully picking on a docile middle aged couple having a rest and a cup of tea and not disturbing anyone. This assumes that there were no signs saying "only food or beverages purchased on the premesis may be consumed on the premises" or words to that effect.

Plan "B" of course would have been for either you or SWMBO to take their sarny outside the door, eat it and return to have your cup of tea then the other do the same.

Plan "C" Vote with your wallet / feet after sending a letter to RYA.
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hammer.thumb.gif
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Maybe I'm just ill-informed, but what has the RYA done for "us" lately???It seems to me that the only thing the RYA is interested in is the RYA and generating as much revenue as possible from courses.

[/ QUOTE ]I agree. Maybe one of the senior RYA bods might like to jump in and explain their position. But do you think they will? Or will they try to have it pulled?

If anyone knows someone at the RYA maybe they would let them know of the existence of this thread.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think they are past caring - they think themselves to be so big and so important that they do not have to take anything the common pleb says into account.

Over the past years, I have written to them 3 times on various matters. First to letters were ignored, third one was sent recorded delivery. One month later a letter acknowledging receipt and a statement they would look into it. Two years down the road I'm still waiting for a reply.
 
It would have cost them a great deal of money to have the facility there, and can you blame them for trying to recoup some of the money back by offering food, If you went to any restaurant and asked for a coffee and then started to eat sandwiches you had made at home, what would they say.
we would not have a sailing team for the Olympics with out the help and encouragement of the RYA,
and the RYA courses that are offered by schools are all of a set standard, so you know what you will be doing and should be getting. They keep a good watch on the standards kept at there approved schools.

what do you expect the RYA to do for you, ?
 
[ QUOTE ]
what do you expect the RYA to do for you, ?

[/ QUOTE ]Organise cheap red diesel for RYA members only - sod the rest, they can pay £5.00/litre /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Oh dear - the silly time has come - I'm off for a beer and a Pizza and more beer!
--------------------
hammer.thumb.gif
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>
 
The RYA is a fair-sized business run by full-time paid employees. It makes no effort to stay close to 'grass roots' (god, I hate that term but it does apply here) preferring to work with (and for) more glamorous pursuits such as racing. As for the courses, it is a huge money-making machine. Ask any sailing instructor or sailing school what they think of the RYA.

As for the hospitality lounge, are you saying that they opened a lounge with their members' money and then had the nerve to 'allow' their members to sit in it provided they buy their food and drink there? And ask them to leave if they don't want to buy their food there? Sounds very RYA-like to me, they have the arrogance, for sure.

Best thing the RYA can do is to fire the entire management, hire a new chief exec. with the power to hire (or re-hire) a fresh management team. It's the only way to do it when rot has spread so wide and so deep.

Very few people have anything good to say about the RYA.
 
I was considering re-joining the RYA after a 15yr gap, but if they can run a members lounge, and not allow you to eat your own food there, then don't think i'll bother....

What happened to the RYA that recognised that we're not all boating on big budgets?... going to SIBS is costly enough as it is without forcing people to buy the unbelievably expensive drinks and food.....

The members should be their number 1 priority, not the P&L for SIBS....
 
Gradual switch from RYA to ISA certs in Ireland

The RYA has been an excellent organisation and has created a global brand and a globally adopted training standard. FYI, RYA courses in Ireland have been systematically replaced by the ISA (Irish Sailing Association) cruising scheme which in the main are carbon copies of the excellent RYA programmes. Irish ICCs cannot be issued to RYA cert holders, only ISA certs will qualify if you have an Irish passport. Something to do with the treaty that set the ICC up. This has been a pain in the neck as many Irish leisure boaters had up to recent years held various RYA certs. Some ISA acredited schools are still offering RYA certs as an option. Anyway I am a big fan of the RYA gravey train.
 
Sorry to stick my nose in!

I don't know much (or have an opinion) about the RYA, but surely any catering establishment will take a dim view of people coming in and eating their own food? This will be so regardless of being club, cafe or charity event. Good manners would suggest stop eating when requested, I'm not that surprised you were asked to leave when you refused to stop.

As suggested by someone earlier, nip outside to finish sandwich, then return to drink tea in comfort.
 
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