Tankerton Bay Sailing Club - Kent
Past Commodores and Rosie Duffield
Past Commodores and Rosie Duffield
Enjoying the day
TBSC has got talent
60 years montage
Tim and Ashten - winners of the Diamond Anniversary Series

Diamond Anniversary Celebrations

Approximately 120 people joined together over the weekend of the 16th and 17th July to help celebrate our 60th Diamond Anniversary. Founder Members, Former Members, Members, Honorary Members, previous Commodores, and Commodores from local clubs, came together to celebrate 60 years of Tankerton Bay Sailing Club.  Rosie Duffield, MP and Neil Baker, Local Councillor joined our celebrations, too. Festivities started with speeches by Rosie, Jim Flower, Tankerton Bay Sailing Club Admiral, and James Hills, Vice Commodore.  The plaque was presented, Rosie cut the cake, a toast was made, and a delicious celebratory lunch was enjoyed. 

Founder and Former members reminisced with old acquaintances over photographs dating back across the past six decades and shared memories of their time at the club.  A highlight for many was watching an old cinefilm of the construction of the club.Guests enjoyed rides in the powerboats and catamarans. 

Langton Wildman, a Founder member, shared his thoughts. “It was a fantastic day; one I will remember for a long time and a special thank you for the guy that dared take me on his catamaran at 15 knots!” 

Alan Staley, also a Founder Member, emailed,  “Thank you for inviting me to Tankerton Bay Sailing Club on Saturday.  It was wonderful to meet up with so many people from the early days of the club.  It was a memorable occasion and I do hope the Club will continue for many more years to come.” 

Rosie shared her thoughts. “I really enjoyed joining members of Tankerton Sailing Club this weekend for their 60th anniversary celebrations. For 6 decades the club has provided a social and sporting hub for all to enjoy the best our beautiful stretch of coast has to offer. From cadets to sailing veterans, there is something for everyone, whatever their level of experience. Teamwork, friendship and stunning views all help to make this a very special place." 

Our Admiral, Jim Flower, shared his thoughts. “I was very privileged to be included in the Club’s Diamond anniversary celebrations, a truly wonderful day and so very well organised”  

Once the formal part of the celebrations concluded the afternoon activities began.   Our intrepid Cadets took part in a creative diamond shaped course, in challenging Force 4 winds, with rolling waves.   Those who took part showed true determination and resilience.  Congratulations to Jack Taylor and Ralph Hadley who took first place, Elliot Fleming second and Henry Taylor, third. Thank you to all those at the club who set the course and supported our young sailors throughout.  Especially, Max, Ed and Charlie who supported from shore, Ethan and James in the safety boats and Rob and Gavin who helped the Cadets in and out of the water.   

Tankerton Bay’s Got Talent 

From the balcony Members enjoyed the early evening sun and fantastic views across the water as Gordon entertained us with Tankerton’s Got Talent.   Members shared their talents and entertained the Club.  With the support of Gordon members demonstrated a wide range of talents from playing the bagpipes, singing, poetry, levitation, mind reading, marshmallow eating and jokes.  Great to see not only do we have talented sailors, but budding artists too!  A huge thank you to Gordon for making this work and coercing a couple of reluctant performers to perform! 

As the sun started to go down, we enjoyed live music from the marvellous, Gavin Alexander.  Members sung along and danced until the sun finally set on our first day of celebrations. 

Sunday 17th July 

Day two of our celebrations started with the Diamond Jubilee Series.  A fantastic turn out of twenty five boats all competing for the coveted bespoke Diamond Anniversary Trophy.  As the wind picked up to a Force 3 / 4, ten catamarans and fifteen dinghies battled for first place.  Congratulations to Tim and Ashten who took first place, Mike and Amy, second and Andrew third. Congratulations also to Mike Dan, who in his first outing of the year in a Fusion, was the highest placed dinghy in 5th place.  Well done to you all. 

The winners of each series received a wooden framed, bespoke glass, diamond trophy to keep, which was made by local artist, Alma Caira.  All sailors were awarded a one off celebration medal. 

After enjoying afternoon tea and looking back over the weekend our celebrations came to a close with many more memories made.

I’m sure you will agree that the weekend was a roaring success! The sun was not too hot, the programme of events ran smoothly, the food was plentiful and delicious, the wine and soft drinks flowed, and the guest beers enjoyed.  Old and new members enjoyed talking about times gone by and catching up with past and present friends.  The sailing was well supported with good wind.  The medals, trophies and photographs will remind us of how glad we are to have been or are part of Tankerton Bay Sailing Club.   

So, a perfect 60th Diamond Anniversary?  No, not quite!  As I am sure you know our Commodore, Ian Mills and Social Secretary & House Manager, Jane Mills were unable to lead the celebrations due to Covid.  Ian and Jane worked tirelessly for many, many months to organise this celebration.  Even in the days leading up to Saturday, when they were both feeling very poorly, they provided action lists, programmes, speeches, organised shopping, arranged delivery of beers and held virtual briefings to ensure all would run smoothly.  Ian and Jane, on behalf of the Committee and Membership I would like to thank you for all you do for us.  You were truly missed, and we all share the sense of unfairness of you being struck down at this special time.   

Throughout Ian’s time as Commodore, he has managed the challenges of Covid at our club.  With constant changing government rules to interpret and at times restrictions to normal sailing and socialising he has had much to contend with.  It makes it doubly frustrating for both Ian and Jane to be positive on the biggest weekend of Ian's run as Commodore!   

There are so many people who contributed to the organisation and running of the weekend.  But a special thank you to James Hills, Vice Commodore for stepping up for Ian and ensuring the day was fun and went to plan.  To Ashten for the pre organisation and ensuring all aspects of the day ran smoothly.  You were both amazing!   To Barry and Ashten for leading the sub-committee in planning the celebrations. Also, to Barry for organising invitation lists for Former and Founder Members.  For Tom and Rob and all the volunteers who made sure the Clubhouse was ready to receive guests.  To Charlie, who helped Jane with the catering, and stood in for Jane over the weekend. To Mags, Steve and Barry for organising memorabilia, merchandise and the film.  To Rose Bircham for designing and preparing invitations.  To Lindsay, Linda, Angela, Katie and Pete who served behind the bar and helped with food preparation, waitressing and washing up.  To Mags, Linda, Lorraine and Katie for providing quiches and deserts. To the Duty Managers, Race Officer, Safety Crew and Cadet Club who organised and supported both the Diamond Series Racing.  To Gordon for hosting Tankerton’s Got Talent.  Lastly, a huge thank you to Glen London, Former Member, for his excellent photography skills in capturing our event.  

These are just a few of the many Members who helped make our 60th a fabulous success. But most importantly thank you to all those who attended and helped make our 60th celebrations so special and memorable. 

To view photographs, follow this link to the pictures 

To view thankyou messages click here

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