1922 - 1972 The Royal Lymington Yacht Club Golden Anniversary
Home

(text)

The New Club House


The Clubhouse in the 30s

In 1946 the Club's interests widened, the premises remaining open throughout the winter for lectures. For the first time, too, a Club Bulletin, which is very much alive today, was prepared by Gilbert Hackforth-Jones, the author.

Considerable improvements were made to the bar in 1947 by a volunteer gang of club members, the ganger-in-charge being the Vice-Commodore. It is interesting that in 1946 Samuel Cook prepared drawings illustrating that additional accommodation could be constructed above the north-south wing by the erection of a Mansard roof-structure. Roger Pinckney also submitted a similar scheme. These plans were of particular interest for future consideration and Samuel Cook apparently made provision for this additional loading when designing the north-south wing.

The pressure of membership demanded expansion of the premises and, during 1957, a generous response was made by members towards a fund to enable improvements to be made to the Club Rooms, the Reading Room being the first to receive attention. Two additional windows were introduced; the fire-place surround was remodelled with its flanking bookcase, new curtains and a complete redecoration.

In 1958/59 a new wine store was built on the site of the old lavatory which permitted the extension of the bar counter and the introduction of a comer at the west end of the bar, where there was a fireplace. It was for this enclosure that Jean Cobb designed and executed the beautiful etched panel which we still have with us. Roy Coombs also painted a fair-scene of yachts on Lymington River which provided a delightful feature for the bar.

Improvements to the Changing Rooms were carried out in 1960 when the Race Officer's Box was erected above the old enclosure. The original concrete slipway of the last century was in such good condition that it became one of the principal supports for the new columns existing today.

'Feeding the Brute' had always been a conundrum and, with the ever-increasing membership, the difficulty was accentuated. Mercifully, the advent of the admirable Mr. Brooks and his catering staff resolved the problem, but there were still no facilities.

In March 1963, Frank Webster was asked to prepare drawings illustrating improvements to the club building, plans which included providing a kitchen on the first floor. The improvements were completed by March, 1964, without interfering with the use of the club.

In 1966, anticipating a maximum membership of 2,400, the Club decided finally to modernise the premises and to take full advantage of the magnificent view of the river and its estuary. A new pontoon was provided to replace the old waterfront and now 100 feet of deep water is available alongside.

The reconstruction was completed in 1968. Our present Club is the happy result.