An Evening to Celebrate
50 years membership of Rudyard Lake Sailing Club by
Geoff Holmes

On Saturday 7th June a special celebration was held to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Geoff Holmes. The photographs below capture some of the moments of a memorable evening when the club members turned out in force to say congratulations, and thank you, to Geoff and Brenda. Click on the pictures for a larger version. And don't miss the special musical feature below!

photos courtesy of Angela Lilley

The Song of the frustrated Sailor   by Mike Brenton

(tune of “Where to you go to my lovely” – Apologies to Peter Sarstedt*)

Verse 1

       C                                                Em

I’ve been out and bought a new Phantom

F                                     G

The  finest, from Pinnell and Bax

   C                                          Em

With its cleverly-designed Harken fit-out

F                                              G                G/F            G/E      G/D

There’s nothing on board that it lacks

 … no there ain’t…..

Verse 2

I decided to consult the experts:

Messrs, Evans, Dixon and Couch

And they schooled me in wind-shifts and hiking,

How to reach …. How to “ooch”!

Chor 1

 So, why am I going so slowly,

Why am I here at the back?

Is there something amiss with the forestay

Or the hilarious way that I tack?

Verse 3

My riggings been scrutinised closely

I’ve been measured and weighed and eyed-up

But it ain’t made a blind bit o’ difference

‘Cos so far I ain’t won a cup .. or  amug…

..or owt else…

Verse 4

You’ve seen all the qualifications

I got from the R.Y.A.

They taught me to holler’ out “Starboard!”

When other folks get in my way

….. it didn’t help….

Chor 2

 So, why am I going so slowly,

Why am I here at the back?

Am I pulling the wrong bit of Vectran

Is my kicker too tight or too slack?

Verse 5

When the wind blows I’m off like a rocket,

With the others of the “top set”

But I’m soon overtook by a Comet

Though she’s never quite lapped me… not yet

Verse 6

They say that I’ve got to practice

“Its time on the water what counts!”

But most of my time is spent in it

 – and swallowing - large amounts

….yes it is…,

Chor 3

Oh I’m fed up with going so slowly

Its not that I want to star,

It’s just that it’s bloody frustrating

To always …be… last…. at….. the Bar!

* If you can't remember the tune try this YouTube clip