I’m old enough to remember the days when a Solent Old Gaffers’ meeting would take place in the public bar of the Jolly Sailor at Bursledon, the air thick with tobacco smoke and the fare on the table one of the landlady’s ‘specials’ of fried egg, beans and chips – yours for 2/6. ‘Four and eight’ if you treated yourself to a pint of Badger on the side. For the younger reader, that’s 12p and 23p. Buying a round wasn’t too much of a fright. Dress code: jeans and an old Cosalt canvas smock.
There were no such considerations this year when those of us ready and willing to make a pilgrimage west to Dartmouth out of season sat down in the Britannia Royal Naval College to a meal fit for kings. Following a tour where we came within touching distance of Nelson’s very own dinner plate (silver), many of us had hitherto only seen this noble establishment from the river far below. Now, we were guests of the Captain and officers of the college, black ties, very posh frocks and all. The Beef Wellington made a welcome contrast to the ‘bangers and bubble’ of years gone by, while the protocol and toasts were in the best traditions of The Service. The wine made many a yacht club’s standard issue look sorry indeed. We owe our secretary Grant Morris a debt for arranging this remarkable event with his son Daniel, the College Commander.
Thank you very much, indeed.
Tom Cunliffe
Leave a Reply