General Manager’s Message

General Manager Mark Bovaird

總經理布馬克 This year Christmas and New Year's are back with a vengeance! At long last we feel like we have returned to some semblance of normalcy. Back is the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Back is the Christmas Eve Carols... and the team have added in even more events to keep you entertained this year.

The Festive season celebrations have already begun. By the time you read this we will have already hosted several of our new events - an Upcycled/Recycled Christmas Decorations Workshop and we will have taught you how to make your own version of traditional favourites, Mulled Wine and Salmon Gravlax. Santa will also have popped in, before his schedule got too busy, so that you and your family could take a family photo with him in Santa's Grotto.

With those out of the way we have another 29 Festive events to see you through the end of the month and that doesn't even include all of the Christmas-themed set lunches and dinners in the Compass Room, the Bistro lunch and dinner buffets on offer starting on 5 December up to the 23rd nor the set lunches and dinners available at Middle Island and Shelter Cove from 5 to 26 December. It’s going to be a wonderful atmosphere at the Club over the entire festive period culminating with the Commodore seeing in the New Year with the traditional firing of the Club cannon at the turning circle.

We are absolutely thrilled that our classic traditional events are going ahead. The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony was only in its infancy as an annual treat when it went on hiatus thanks to Covid. We recall the very first one when around 16 people came and I'm delighted that at the time of writing, over 120 people are joining us which is a new record. The Christmas Carols on Christmas Eve is back too! This is one of the most magical events of the Festive Season as we all gather as a Club community around our huge Christmas Tree in the Turning Circle and sing a selection of traditional carols, including the Yacht Club’s own version of 12 days of Christmas.

Some other new events we have this year are the Paint and Wine on Monday 12 December, a 'Tis the Season Festive Quiz on Thursday 15 December, Christmas Jazz on Friday 16 December and three movie nights Under the Stars on Saturday 17, Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 December.

But first... how about a long lazy lunch at Shelter Cove? Join us for a special lunch with Lawson's Dry Hills Wine on Thursday 8 December.

And if you are travelling to see family and friends this Christmas, here's some news for you. As part of the ongoing development of the Club’s website, members may now obtain a Letter of Introduction to our reciprocal clubs by using the Member log-in section of the Club’s website. The e-letter of introduction will then be sent to the respective club directly with a copy to your email address. We would however also remind you to always have your membership card with you during your visit. Enjoy your travels and we look forward to welcoming you back in 2023!