The 70th anniversary Vertue rally was held on the East Coast of England in August 2006.

Boats taking part were:
Gondolier                      Robert DuMaris  
Hussar                           Caary Stephens  & K Cruddinton
 Drumler                       David Dow
 Rahala                         Mike Perkins
Maid of Tesa                 Rob Williamson
Mea                              Robert Hedges
Owendo                         Mike Woodhouse
Rosette                         Darrell Chalkley
Varna                            Bill Howard

Wednesday 9th August

Rob Williamson & I sailed up the Wallet from Mersea to Wooverstone Marina on .

 We arrived at about 18:00 to be met soon after tying up by Ken Crudington & Cary Stephenson from Hussar. We also met Darrell Chalkney who had driven down from Ipswich to see us.

We all enjoyed a drink and a chat before turning in.

Thursday 10th August

Boats arrived during the day and much time was spent inspecting boats and making meeting other owners and crew.

By 17:00 all boats that could make it had arrived and we all met in the Butterans Bar for a meal.

We had a short briefing  meeting during which 70th Anniversary T shirts were distributed. Darrel Chalkley had very kindly suggested and arranged to get these shirts printed. All remaining stock will be available for sale on this web site.

The Buttermans produced a very good meal and a pleasant evening was had by all.

Friday 11th August

Wind force 3 to 4 from the NW.

Sailed from Wolverston to West Mersea.

in order to catch the flood tide down the Wallet we needed to leave Wolverston at about 06:30 to get to the start line just North of Harwich harbour, for various reasons the fleet was rather spread out. As a result we did not have the planned 11 boats over line at 08:00 Having delayed the start I radioed to the fleet and suggested that they start "as and when" and to take there own time.

Maid of Tesa and Rahala took off like scaled cats and had close tussle Rahala arriving at the Bench Head buoy just a matter of seconds in front of Maid of Tesa.

I hung about for the last boats who had trouble getting out of the marina. I started just after Rosette and Mea.

All boats report a good sail and did not experience too much traffic from boats finishing races in the West Mersea Regatta events.

Most boats managed to get moorings on the mooring piles up near the hard. In theory this would have been an excellent place to watch the firework display on the Saturday evening, however " the best laid plans......." see later in this report.

Saturday 12th August

A foul day in every way strong wind warnings heavy rain you name it  we had it.

This was the day of the West Mersea Town Regatta Race. We had our own start time in event. Maid of Tesa and Owendo were the only boats to start. The other boats somewhat wisely decided not to start understandable since some were new to racing and did not really know the course.

Both Rob and I started with 2 reefs in the main and a storm jib set. I soon became apparent that this was not enough sail, Rob shook out one reef and rather hoping he would not notice dumped my storm jib and rolled out about half of my roller reefing Genoa. He did notice! The conditions were actually not as bad as forecast during the 7 mile race.

Rob got home in front of me and became the first to win the "Ian Wright Memorial Trophy"!

However things  soon change as soon as I got back to my mooring, the heavens opened and the wind came in a good F6 with gusts of F7.

I had to get ashore to help my wife sell Town Regatta shirts and to arrange the evening BBQ.

We all assembled at my house for the evening BBQ  which had to be cooked outside under a golf umbrella and eaten indoors. It was great fun to have all gathered together and I hope all enjoyed it. I heard later that there were some adventures with crews rowing back to the mooring posts in inflatable dinghies.

The promised fireworks has to cancelled on health and safety grounds, the fist time since 1957!!

Sunday 13th August.

We left for Heybridge basin at 13:30 and had a peasant sail up the Blackwater for the meeting.

Rob and Mike Perkins resumed there race from Friday, this time with Rob just getting to the Doctor buoy in front of Rahal, thus earning himself the free buffet.

We all locked into the Heybridge Basin and another round of socialising and boat inspection  took place. A buffet had been arranged in the Old Ship Rob presenting the prizes and an appropriate token for all taking part! This pub was Ian's favourite watering hole when fitting out patience.

Monday 14th August

Awoke to heavy rain! Decided that the thought of a big Breakfast at the "Jolly Sailor" was preferable to boat porridge. So Rob and I did just that and very good it was.

The rest of the day was spent in discussing the rally so far and deciding if the assembled crowd would like to do the same sort of rally next year. The consensus was that it would be welcomed.

I hope to compile a photo disk of all the pictures take and to distribute it to any one who wants one. let me know on owendov17@gmail.com if you wish one.

Mike Woodhouse

Owendo V17

01206 384 172

Skype "owendo"

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