Early Traditions

Although the Club was still young, tradition and character were already being formed. On May 10 Yachting World reported that the Club was indebted to the generosity of its Vice-Commodore, Mr Percy Sainsbury for the donation of a handsome clock and~barometer to be hung in the clubhouse and that the Rear-Commodore, Dr. Robinson had intimated his intention of presenting a challenge cup to be raced for in August. At the same time, the Burnham-on-Crouch and Dengie Hundred Review reported that Mr. L. R. Higgins had made a present of a pianoforte which adds not a little to the enjoyment of the musical evenings which form such a delightful feature of club life. After such a long passage of time the piano no longer exists and the cup was won outright at a later date but the barometer hangs in the Club library. Through nearly a century of cleaning the inscription is almost worn away, but it is possible to decipher the date and Percy Sainsburys name; in my opinion enough to authenticate it. The fate of the clock is unknown. There are three clocks in the Club but none bears a presentation plaque. The writer goes on to say the anchorage in Burnham is beginning to wear a lively appearance as the season advances. The yachts on station on Saturday night included MERRY­THOUGHT, LURLINE, PENGUIN, CONSUELO, VALENTINE, SHEILA, NONA, FIFA, EDITH, CIRCE, FIGARO, CORONA, ILKA, and the Commodores vessel, WILLOW WREN is still on her mooring at the Ferry and we are fortunate indeed that the graceful WILLOW WREN is still on her mooring, though not the same one. Having spent her life on the river in various guises, she was recently lovingly restored by two young people, but the full story belongs to a later period.