Socialising
From the start, the Club intended to have a social side apart from the sailing. In 1989 and 1990, a ‘Laying up supper’ was held in the Carron Restaurant. In 1990, the committee booked the restaurant after it closed for the season, to give the Club exclusive occupation. That year we interrupted our dinner to admire the Aurora Borealis.
The committee was persuaded to consider Rob Teago a member, who would like to attend functions, not cater for them. From 1991 on, dinners were held in the Lochcarron Hotel.
The committee made efforts in 1990/91 and 1991/92 to arrange a winter programme, with little success. Tony Wilkinson of Lochcarron Hotel made the residents’ lounge available without charge.
Jock Macleod from Rosemarkie was engaged twice to talk about his sailing experiences. On the first occasion he had a fair audience, but on the second occasion only five or six members turned up.
Subjects were largely linked to sailing, such as a knot tying evening. An evening, when RNLI staff attended, attracted only three members and four others from the village. A race officer training evening had an attendance of seven. The committee gave up.
In contrast, the annual Laying up Supper in Lochcarron Hotel has been a consistent success. As experience was gained, the committee took to employing Kenny Cameron and Murdo Mackenzie to give us music after our meal. On occasion Sandy MacVarish would join them. The committee took the opportunity to invite guests for these events. Derrick Allen was invited on one occasion, in recognition of his trophy presented to encourage our juniors and his gift of a dinghy, Marsh Arab. Joan Maxwell was invited, as she has been a stalwart with continuing encouragement and training services.
Commonly 35 to 40 members and friends have attended. Arrangements have been made to cater for junior members, who have responded well, nearly a dozen attending on occasion.
