For so many years and only too few tides, we have been going to the Royal Burnham Yacht Club for an Annual Dinner. This had been arranged by Trevor Rawlinson (Trev) for as long as anyone could remember. Indeed, no-one could be found who could testify to his length of service! We asked him and it was 37 years.
Since Trev had decided to resign his position on the East Coast Committee at the 2024 AGM, it seemed fitting to break with the ‘Burnham Dinner’, as it had been called for all those years. Following a consideration of many other options, on 15 March (the day England thoroughly beat Wales 68-14!) we were hosted by West Mersea Yacht Club for the 2025 Annual Dinner. As always the Club put on a superb menu and even arranged a great sunset for us! Many thanks to their team, ‘first class’.
We numbered 36 which is about 10% of our total membership, a good turnout so thankyou for all who attended the three-course meal. My main course choice of ‘feather blade of beef’ was of melt-in-the-mouth quality! Trev was of course the ‘main attraction’, well Trev have you ever been described as that before? So, we started off the evening with a welcome and a presentation for Trev of a set of four glasses with a ship’s port decanter, all set into a wooden base, kindly and expertly made by Rik Graham. The backboard and an appropriate plaque, complete with a paraphrased quote from the late Jon Wainwright, completed the presentation set. Oh! Also, a bottle of port. Trev, as part of the ‘Burnham Dinner’ would always supply, at his personal expense, port and cheese for those diners wishing to partake – so the gift was most appropriate.
We finished off the sweet course and fell to the raffle for which Yvonne Graham had been sidling up to people selling tickets for a table of prizes donated by diners, many thanks to all those who contributed. Thanks also go to Tony Judd and Richard Bailey for their auction items which will be saved for a later date in the season. Once more I was seen walking away from an event with an anchor over my shoulder which will appear again!! The raffle raised around £150 for the East Coast Younger Gaffer fund.
Report: Pete Elliston, East Coast Area Secretary
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