For me the Christmas really got underway with the
Santa Lunch at the National Yacht Club. This year it was on 12th December. It is a hugely popular day and tables for lunch are sometimes booked years in advance. The club was packed with excited children and relaxed parents.
Santa arrived by sea and was met on the platform by an ambush of screaming children on the balcony. After greeting the children he headed off to his grotto to get ready to meet each child and family.
Santa’s grotto was a wonderful place and he gave each child a huge amount of time. “Ida the Elf”, “Mary the Fairy” and the other helpers helped Santa. Great photographs were taken and memories formed. Each child got a gift from Santa.
Meanwhile back in the Dining room where the superb lunch was complete
“Disco George” was setting up for the usual festival of kid’s music. When Santa was finished his work he came back up to the Dining Room to say goodbye to the children. As he left the building he asked me to lead the kids with a few verses of “Jingle Bells”.
With the Christmas off to a flying start the next event on my calendar was the
Commodore’s Christmas Dinner. This took place on the 18th December and over 120 members and guests were in the Dining Room that night.
With the reception before hand in the bar, the fantastic menu provided by our Head Chef, the piping in of the Christmas Pudding and the entertainment provided by the group
“Tropical Storm”, it was truly a night to remember.
The following day I was invited to lunch by a group of visitors from
Pwllheli Sailing Club. They have been coming over to the NYC for Christmas Lunch for many years.
Christmas Carols in the Dining Room followed this excellent lunch, later in the afternoon.
On
Christmas Eve I attended the lunch in the Club. Again, it was a great club event with the dining room filled with members and their guests. There was a great Christmas atmosphere in the club that afternoon.
The weather was not kind to us this year with heavy snow disrupting many member’s social and travel arrangements. Despite the weather our Club Manager, Padraic Conneely and his staff ensured that the club was open for business for the members all through this period. This demonstrated huge dedication on behalf of the staff, as travelling was extremely difficult in the conditions.
I had a great Christmas in the National Yacht Club and I want to thank Padraic for the great events he arranges for us. I also would like to thank all the members who took part in the Christmas festivities in the Club and made it a very special and enjoyable occasion for all.
On the 8th January, I am looking forward to the first main event of 2011, the hugely popular
NYC Caviston’s Fish Dinner.
Peter Ryan
Commodore.
