The sky was overcast and the threat of rain was in the air, but that didn’t dull the enthusiasm of the organisers of the Pirate Fun Day held on Saturday August 12 at Rye Harbour Sailing Club (RHSC), who set about decking out the club as a pirate’s lair.
As the tide came in, the wind got up to a moderate to fresh breeze, but not enough to cancel the free taster sails that attracted just under 60 people, of all ages, to have a go at sailing in a dinghy with an experienced volunteer skipper. The day got underway and the sun shone through the clouds. People, waiting in excited anticipation, watched the boats being rigged for their first taster sails, children had a chance to have a go on Pirate Jake’s bouncy castle and have their faces painted by Maria Walker from Mimi’s face painting, and the glitter tattooist Joanna Baker. The tombolas and children’s games went go down well with everyone and there was plenty to look at and buy on the bric-a-brac and cake and produce stalls.
The treasure of £10 was found on The Treasure Island map by Austen Williams and a bottle of brandy was won by Claire Powell in an instant raffle. The galley crew were kept busy providing teas, coffees and temptingly delicious cakes, the barbecue manned by David Tomkinson with his daughter Charlotte kept us well fed with tasty burgers and sausages and trade was brisk at the bar.
In all, the club raised the amazing amount of £590 which will go towards the second part of the club refurbishment project, the building of the new boat shed. The Commodore would like to thank everyone who came on the day including over 25 RHSC volunteers who gave up their time to put on the event and to make it such a success.
A big thank you to the taster skippers, Simon Marsh, John Powell, Anna Knight and Tom Ashmore. Well done everyone for making it the best pirate day ever!
Photos: KT Bruce and RHSC