86th Calais Rally

The LIttle Ship Club, in conjunction with the Royal Naval Sailing Association, brings you the 86th Calais Rally. Founded in 1927, this has become an iconic annual event in the Little Ship Club calendar. Hon organiser Norman Hummerstone,

As always, Norman calls on the invaluable help of his camarade français Dr Jean Plancke, who provides local knowledge and support to the gathering.

Contact details: email         nhummerstone@o2.co.uk.     Tel/fax: 020 8863 3258 Mob:07719008935.

Costs and payment

Payment is required by Tuesday 14 May so that Norman can take advantage of the current favourable exchange rate. The cost is £48 per head which covers the Beer Call, the dinner (including red and white wine) and the Sunday morning 'Bubbly Recuperative'.

Payment either by cash or cheque. Cheques made payable to 'N D Hummerstone' and sent to N D Hummerstone MBE c/o The Little Ship Club, Bell Wharf Lane, Upper Thames Street, London EC4R 3TB

or in cash to Norman at the Club.

For those who have enjoyed Calais before will know the usual format.  HMS Puncher will be unable to attend.

For Newcomers to this extravaaaganza, there will be at least be the Beer Call on a Host Vessel on Saturday afternoon, an excellent French Dinner (three courses, white and red wine included in overall cost, probably with Champagne) at the Cercle Amicale Maritime during the evening.  This is followed on Sunday morning with the "Bubbly Recuperative Party with Bacon Butties" on the Host Vessel.  Afterwards there is a Reception at the Calaisi Yacht Club.

I am able to hold the cost of £48 a head.

Mercer Trophy. Entries to the Organiser by 1900 at the latest. The Mercer Trophy is awarded to the "Yacht making the longest non-stop passage in relation to water-line length to attend the Calais Rally"

25 May

1830-1930: Dress for Dinner (Try and make yourself reasonably presentable for the Club Dinner. Preferred dress tie with reefer or other jacket (men). Women as ever get to choose what they wear.

1930: Proceed to Cercle Amicale Maritime overlooking the small harbour

1945: With luck arrive at the above-mentioned Club (depending on how well the Beer Call and Dress for Dinner aperitifs have been consumed).

2030: Little Ship Club Rally - 86th Anniversary Dinner (bill of fare shown below, also includes Vin Blanc, Vin Rouge, Eau and Café)

2300: Or thereabouts, or later, or earlier. Stretcher parties to be detailed, as required for the legless. Remainder to use remaining legs to make their own way back to the boats and/or wherever your luck takes you (usually the yacht club marina bar).

2300 onwards: as for 0830-1830 (excluding regeneration and Trophy entries). Conscious members should offer appropriate hospitality to friends, guests,  RNSA members. Any attractive young ladies should be introduced to the Honourable Organiser.

Sunday 26 May

1200: Reception and prize-giving in Harbour Yacht Club by courtesy of our Calais Friends.

1300: Presentation of the Llttle Ship Club Diamond Jubilee Challenge Shield and mememto medallion. (The shield is awarded to a member of another recognised club regularly rallying to Calais and is for the longest distance from the last port of all divided by the waterline length.

Monday 27 May

It's probably about time the rest of you went home!

 

Navigation details

For those unfamiliar with Calais, if you would like further details, please contact Norman (hon org) (also for booking a place)

The lock gates no longer function leading into the Yacht Harbour Basin and there is a two metre sill above CD by the road bridge. I can enter two hours before HW with a 1.6m keel and would suggest 1 hour before is more suitable for a 2m keel. The pontoon on the port hand (south side) can accommodate yachts up to 3m depth. The Visitor's pontoon on the Starboard side (North) at first suggested drying out to 0.5 metres with larger vessels possibly laying outside smaller vessels or catamarans in greater depths.

Since then I believe that fishing vessels have been able to lay alongside the North Visitor's pontoon. Occasionally other slots may be available, further in the Harbour.

The Bridge opening times, two hours before, 1 hours before HW. 1.25 and 2.5 hours after, do not always seem to coincide with the almanac.