Weybridge Mariners Club

Accompanying Lord Nugent in the inspecting party was "Nobby" Pearce, who as well as being a Conservator was Chairman of the Association of Thames Yacht Clubs (ATYC). He said that he knew of a boat Club who might be interested in turning it into a useable Clubhouse and Headquarters for them.

It was on the 2nd March 2006 that disaster struck. Chris Knight who was Commodore had a call at 4 am at home from Bob Smith one of our members who worked as the local Environment Officer  at the E.A. building next door.  Fire had destroyed the total building and we lost everything including all the Honours Boards and Display Cabinets housing all the silver cups.  Worse still was the discovery that our insurance cover which had been based on updated valuations of the building which had been built by the members in the early seventies; was woefully inadequate to meet the cost for rebuilding to 2006 standards.  Not only did we have a fire but to compound our problems we were in the process of renegotiating our lease with the E.A.

The cause of the fire was unknown.  Forensic investigation would have had to have been paid for and as our cover was already too low, there seemed little point since our insurers paid out irrespective.  

As previously documented in this History account; when the club was initially converted for our use from the Thames Conservancy boathouse back in the 70’s; we had many members with the necessary qualifications and skills.   Post the fire we still had members with considerable skills.  Ray Churchill was an Architect and Charles Worby a Building Surveyor.

Two sub-committees from club members were set up.   The first was the Rebuild Committee headed by Ray Churchill. Serving on this Committee we had Roger Francis who had considerable building experience.  He was to undertake the position as Clerk of Works.  The other prime members were Vic Lundberg, Charles Worby, Frank Miller, Jim Kelly and Gary Musgrove.  The second sub-committee was the Fund Raising Committee headed by the Vice Commodore Frank Gaylard.  Ex Officio members comprising the Commodore, the Secretary Chrissie Drummie and the Treasurer Angie Jenkins sat in on the Committees when appropriate.

The Rebuild Committee decided that the initial work would be carried out by Gerry Harris who was a self employed building contractor. He and Keith Davies undertook the work that was considered unsafe for the rest of the members.  Once it was safe, other members joined in.  Bob Smith was able to help us with disposal of waste materials by river. Almost 10% of the insurance cover was spent clearing the site.

Ray Churchill drew up plans under the umbrella of Axiom Architects where he worked as a director.  He submitted all the plans to the E.A. who had no objection.  The fact that Bob Smith was virtually on the doorstep no doubt ensured that things went faster than might have happened without his co-operation.  Also, we had huge support from Steve Newman our resident Lock Keeper not for getting Sandra his wife who supplied teas on many occasions Following on, Ray liaised with the Local Council and put the rebuild plans out to tender.  This resulted in the work being placed with Ian Parkinson Bryant Construction Ltd. who had built the new Gibbs' boatyard premises just down river from our clubhouse.  Ian was exceptionally co-operative knowing of the club’s predicament with limited finances.  He agreed to do as much as possible within our budget.  This meant that our initial requirements were dramatically cut back. Parkinson Bryant would take on the main structure including new steelwork and that once the outer walls, floors and roof had been completed members would work on building all the internal stud walling, undertake all plumbing, electrical and internal decorative work.

Charles Worby liaised liaised with Gerry Harris on trial inspection holes to establish the stability of the existing foundations for supporting the rebuild including the additional steel work for the re-designed roof.  A structural engineer was called in to determine whether the original steelwork could be retained.  Fortunately it had survived with little damage. 

In order to keep the club membership together the club was able to negotiate a favourable rate for the use of JGF Passenger Boats ‘Walton Lady’ from John French which moored just upstream of the clubhouse site every Friday evening.  Members continued to meet and Committee Meetings were held on the top deck when required.  One of our concerns with having no clubhouse related to our commitment to host the Dunkirk Veterans on their annual visit aboard the Little Ships.   John French again came to the rescue and provided 2 of his vessels from JGF Passenger Boats for the visit on the 10^th September 2006 free of charge.

The shortfall on our insurance cover was the reason we set up the Fund Raising Committee under Frank Gaylard our Vice Commodore. We desperately needed funding for the internal work.   Plans were made  to hold a Mariners’ River Festival at Shepperton Lock on the 16^th September 2006.   This event was backed by the Environment Agency who were keen to promote interest in the river.  Invitations to boating clubs and other organizations were sent out.

It was a great success thanks to the involvement of all our members who were able to participate. Angie Jenkins organised the supply of marquees which were collected by Peter Adams in his truck with help from many of the members. Everyone turned to erect them by the lock and in Steve Newman’s garden.  Stalls were set up with for club members Sally Holdaway, Margaret Bond, Joyce Lundberg, Sian McCoy, Jean Francis, Pat Borsboom, Glen Lavier, Heather Gaylard, Annette Harris, Wendy Hurrell, Maureen Lawrence, Su Knight and Ann Fowler among others providing cakes, jams, marmalade pies and chutney.  Other stalls were taken by the  RNLI and others selling jewellery, craft items, perfume, books etc. River trips; courtesy of Bev Shields at Chertsey Marine; were set up with donations going to the Mariners. JGF moored the Walton Lady alongside with a Pimms Bar with smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches on the upper deck run by Bill and Angie Jenkins. Bill McCoy ran a hot dog and burgher stall,   Past Commodore Mike Higgins donated a weekend in Paris for 2 as the major prize in the River Festival raffle draw.  Our Master of Ceremonies for this event was Arthur Bond who gave all the announcements and told everyone what was on and where. The Festival  was deemed a great success boosting our minimal funds.        

This success led to follow up annual festivals which further strengthened our rebuild kitty. Tony Riley from Bray Cruising Club and of Legacy fame came and played the organ and sang at the River Festivals.  Marquees and stalls were again set up and we continued to add to our funds.

Main functions during the rebuild were held at the Black Swan Penny Lane and the Village Hall in Shepperton where Bill and Sian McCoy covered catering on several occasions. The AGM was held at the Black Swan in 2006.  Donations from other clubs and individuals were received.  Mike Fowler followed Angie Jenkins as Treasurer and continued throughout most of the re-build watching the pennies all the way along. Frank Gaylard took over as Commodore followed by Vic Lundberg, Wendy Hurrell and  Bob Boreham.  They all contributed much to keep the club membership rallied.

Work on the clubhouse by members really started when the builders had completed the main structure.   Our main stay was Roger Francis who not only was actively involved with everything but also ensured that it all moved along at the correct speed and order.  Further clearance and collection of building materials began.  Peter Adams provided transportation both to and from the site.  Everything had to be carried over the lock gates and members all turned to help.  Much of the internal stud walling was built by Billy Barton who provided power tools in conjunction with Roger Francis.  Helping with this work were Peter Budd, John McPhee, Frank Miller, Jim Hillier. Kenny Beard, Danny Rogers, Russell Doig, Jim Pothecary, Mike Fowler,and others.  Vic Lundberg set about marking the floors as drawn out on the plans by Ray Churchill. Once the stud walling framework was up; plasterboard was fitted’. External walls were double skinned to meet fire regulations.  Plasterboard also had to be fitted to the undercroft.  A night shift with Frank Gaylard, John McPhee, Bob Boreham and others undertook this work.  

Gary Musgrove ordered all the electrical wiring and parts and almost single handed set about the installation.  Although not a qualified electrician his computer background enabled him to undertake work that was new to him although it necessitated him studying the regulations to ensure that there would be no problem when the system was commissioned by a qualified electrician. 

Jim Kelly ordered all the plumbing parts including the boiler, radiators and piping.  Jim previously had a plumbing business and although retired did most of the work himself assisted by Jim Hillier.  

In addition to Billy Barton who did much of the carpentry including making temporary staircases we also had the skills of Frank Miller who before retiring had a Carpentry and Joinery business.  Frank undertook joinery work fitting out the galley and elsewhere as needed including banisters for the final outside staircases.

Once all the internal walls were up; everyone turned to with help.  Everyone included many of the ladies who not only provided food and drink on working weekends but also did much of the cleaning and painting.

Outside all steelwork had to be rubbed down and painted.  Trenches had to be dug steps erected and paths laid down.  Roger Francis, Peter Budd, Bob Boreham, Kenny Beard , John McPhee and others were involved.   The initial stairs on the riverside were made by Billy Barton to meet safety regulations for fire escape access whilst work was going on.  The original wrought iron staircases were re-erected in conjunction with the new balcony.

The galley stove was funded by another generous donation made by Eileen Rogers.  This was a commercial item and weighed a ton.  Martin Small arranged transport for collection with the help of several members for man handling.  Fitting was carried out by Jim Kelly.  Specialized flooring in the galley was laid by a contractor

The balcony was another major task undertaken by members.  Foundations were dug for additionally supporting steelwork.  Steel sheets were delivered by river with the help of Keith Edwards from Middle Thames Yacht Club.  Peter Towerzey erected a temporary boom at an angle on what remained of the original balcony.  A block and tackle was attached to form a crane to lift the last sheets. Each one was drilled and an eyebolt fitted to connect to the chain lift. These sheets weighed in the order of a quarter of a ton each and were rolled into position using scaffold poles.  Peter brought welding equipment and completed the balcony flooring.  With help from Bob Boreham railings were sourced and welded into position with an additional scaffold pole railing modification along the top to meet current safety requirements. 

One of the later additions was the construction of a bar.  Weybridge Mariners’ Club have not had the benefit of an income from mooring rentals and rely heavily on profits from bar sales.  Frank Gaylard initially set up a system of trestles and boards   When our funds had increased sufficiently with the income from the River Festivals and other organized events we were able to fund the  current bar which was built by Billy Barton.

As we progressed with the fitting out of the new build other measures were taken.  Bill McCoy acquired flooring tiles which were laid.  The dance floor which we had all enjoyed in the old club house was sorely missed.  It was the generosity of Michael Phillips to whom we have to thank for our current beautiful dance floor.  Barbara, his late wife used to love to dance and this new floor was laid in dedication to her memory.

Even after the building was deemed useable for the members we had little.  Derek Dale took over as Fundraiser.  His reputation as a lodge Charity Steward ensured that every function he and Barbara organized gave a good profit. We obtained chairs and tables via Maureen McLaughlin and cleared out the British Motor Yacht Club courtesy of John Tough.  The original floor tiles in the main hall were replaced thanks to Bob Boreham who acquired replacements.  Ann Fowler made curtains

An awful lot of work was carried out by the members to get to where we are now.    The new club house was officially opened by Chris Turner Chairman of the ATYC.  This was thought to be a fitting follow up from Nobby Pearce his predecessor who opened  it in 1972. Sadly, our President the late Len Outtrim was unable to be present but his grand-daughter read out a message from him.

It has been a long hard struggle but the new clubhouse must be one of the best on the river. Of course there is still work going on. Outside, Bob Boreham has laid new paving, Les Holdaway has undertaken our gardening.  Peter Budd designed and fitted the Weybridge Mariner's sign on the clubhouse frontage above the balcony overlooking the river.  Jim (Jim 'll Fix It) Hamments now seems to be the member to sort out all the remaining niggles as he sees or via request from Andrew Cotter.

We owe a lot to Ray Churchill, Roger Francis, Ian Parkinson and all those who have helped rebuilding the clubhouse.

Through the years 'The Mariners' have joined the Association of Thames Yacht Clubs, (ATYC)the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) and the RNLI. They have exerted their influence in all manner of things boating and are members of various working groups, such as the Parliamentary Waterways Group (PWG), River Users Group 8 (RUG8). 

The Mariners boats travel up and down the River Thames and visit France, Belgium, Holland & canals and the South and East Coasts of England.