Greetings all from the south coast of England, overlooking a chilly Solent.

As we are probably around two thirds of the way through the summer and people are possibly starting to turn their thoughts to returning to Jolly in the autumn, I thought I would bring members up to date.

Firstly, exciting news! I’m thrilled to be able to tell you that JHYC will have a new home for our Thursday Club nights and the Saturdays, after racing! I’m sure everyone experienced the frustrations of getting served at La Cantina where there was usually insufficient staff. Well one JHYC member who was very frustrated about it decided to take action. Colin Baldwin, with the help of Vlada, has taken a lease on the dining section of the old Akropolis Restaurant and is turning it into a bar. Colin has emphasised that the bar, called Out Out will have sufficient, trained staff on a Thursday and Saturday evenings and that all JHYC members will receive a 10% discount on drinks.

In the early days there are two things that we, as JHYC members, can do to help Colin out. The first is that, until the staff get used to who is a member and who is not, we will need to carry proof of paid-up membership.  Most people should have an up-to-date digital membership card which you can hold on your phone. If you don’t have the card, you can get in touch with the Membership Secretary, Joe Chin at joe@chin.ag.  The other item is that, as you probably know, the banks in Antigua work in their own time and Colin is yet to have full card payment facilities at the bar so it would be very helpful if we could all take cash in the early days. These two items should both be worked out once the bar is in full swing and I look forward to catching up with members there as they arrive back in Jolly.

I was glad to see groups of JHYC members meeting up in various locations throughout the summer. There was a good-sized contingent in Eastbourne centred around the Sovereign Yacht Club. An impromptu lunch in Lymington, campsite weekend in Salcombe and even a meet up in the Rioja region of Spain. Please post pics and locations on the JHYC Facebook page, it’s great see people keeping in touch.

JHYC Website.

I am aware that the JHYC website has been somewhat neglected recently but JHYC member, Jon Constantine has agreed to take on the onerous task of overhauling it and bringing it up to date. If any members have anything they feel should be posted on the website, please feel free to contact me on: jollycommodore1@gmail.com and I will liaise with Jon.

Upcoming Events.

Now, some dates for your diaries. Some of these are provisional but we can’t see them changing unless it’s for reasons beyond our control.

15 - 17th November - Annual Regatta

7th December - JHYC Xmas Dinner

9th December – JHYC Xmas Motorboat light parade (Contact Larry Geddy:  lg5623@yahoo.com)

7th - 9th February – Valentine’s Regatta

24th February Budgie Memorial Prize Boat Treasure Hunt

15th March – End of Season dinner

On the third Sunday of every month there will be a beach BBQ at the Reeds Point end of South Beach

Donna and Kevin have been working hard over the summer liaising with Colin and the Jolly Beach Hotel management to arrange our social activities. We are planning the Xmas and End of Season dinners at the Mangrove beach restaurant at the end of south beach, which I am sure you will agree was a terrific location.

As a thought, before your departure from colder climes, you may want to take a moment to consider if you need to take out some decorations, lights, fancy dress etc. for the motorboat light parade. Remember, there are prizes for the best dressed boat and the Treasure Hunt victor wins the Budgie Memorial prize. I believe Steve Rhodes is the current holder if memory serves me right.

Fair winds all, see you all in the autumn.

Tim Richards
Commodore 
Jolly Harbour Yacht Club.