Uffa Spoon Finds New Holder

Published 12:24 on 22 Feb 2024

The Vice Commodore's Dinner was held on Saturday 17th February. Fifty plus members turned out to be treated to an excellent three course meal, and amusing speeches.

Vice Commodore Peter Johnson introduced the main proceedings by giving a brief account of the origins of the Uffa Spoon. The spoon itself is a very dirty rusty large serving spoon, found in a member's garden. At the time members were presented with silver spoons for prizes at the annual dinner. The Vice Commodore of the time had not qualified for one, so he was presented with the dirty spoon instead. Uffa Fox sailor and boat designer extraordinaire was present at the dinner, signed the spoon, and history was made. Ever since then (with a break of several years) the spoon has been presented at the Vice Commodore's Dinner to the person or persons who has/have committed the silliest gaffe in the year since the last dinner. The decision is usually made by the current holder together with other senior members of the club.. Most of the time the victim is informed, giving them time to write their acceptance speech.

Peter handed over to the current holder Robert Blakebrough who ran through numerous happenings. These included the Enterprise Captain setting a fine example by hitting the top mark and promptly capsizing, forcing the other boats to round him, and the mark, which they couldn't see; an OOD who laid the top mark only for it to drift onto the line. He caused chaos as he charged through the starting boats to retrieve it; the quiz master who answered the questions instead of posing the questions; the ILCA sailor who used the foliage on the Surrey bank as a kedge to prevent drifting down stream. That was some of them.

In the end it came down to John Adams the owner of a Merlin who came in from a race and while in the process of pulling the boat round lost grip, allowing it to sail off by itself and be rescued by a paddle boarder. On another occasion he lost his crew over the side while they were being towed back to shore on a windless day with a strong current. The account given by John Adams was much fuller, but this one gives the gist of the events.

Thanks to Jean Michel and his team for serving the bubbly at the start, drinks during the evening, the superb dinner of smoked salmon and sourdough starter, main course beef bourgignon, tagliatelle and greens, and tarte tatin for dessert.

Last updated 18:38 on 25 April 2024