The Club was founded in 1949, and a timeline can be found below in relation to the development over time to the Club we know and love today.
If you are interested in reading more about the Dovey Yacht Club we can recommend the following book, copies of which can be found at the Club.
"The Beginnings of the Dovey Yacht Club" by Searson Thompson.
We are proud for our historial tie to the GP14, whcih features the Aberdyfi Bell emblem, and are hosting the Welsh National Championship 2022 at DYC.
DYC Commodores (Photo Left)
Top Row Bill Bracewell, David Tildesley Meryl Gover Michael Blamair-Brown, John Alcock Pete Benson
Bottom Row John Benbow, Searson Thompson Jane Grainger, Steve Round, John Tildesley
Photo by Colin Grainger
1950 |
Captain M Rowlands |
|
1951 |
Brigadier Templar |
|
1952 |
James Nesbit Evans Esq. |
|
1953-1958 |
E. Howard Davies |
|
1959-1962 |
Colonel David H Tildesley. |
|
1963-1964 |
Searson J Thompson Esq. |
|
1965-1966 |
Ralf Davies Esq. |
|
1967 |
Philip Thompson Esq. |
|
1968-1969 |
Searson J Thompson Esq. |
|
1970-1971 |
David G Benbow Esq. |
|
1972-1973 |
Arthur C Richardson Esq. |
|
1974-1975 |
Walter Brindley Esq. |
|
1976-1977 |
Stanley N Bottrill Esq. |
|
1978-1979 |
Albert H Evans Esq. |
|
1980-1981 |
Brian S Whittaker Esq. |
|
1981-1983 |
Jeff Pearce Esq. |
|
1983-1986 |
David Collins Esq. |
|
1986-1991 |
David G Benbow Esq. |
|
1991-1993 |
Robert F Heywood Esq. |
|
1993-1996 |
J.C.A.Tildesley Esq. |
|
1996-1998 |
Meryl Gover |
|
1998-2000 |
Bill Bracewell |
|
2000-2002 |
Michael Blamire-Brown |
|
2002-2004 |
John Alcock |
|
2004-2006 |
Timothy A. Brown Esq. |
|
2006-2008 |
Peter Benson Esq. |
|
2008-2009 |
Stephen Round Esq. |
|
2009-2010 |
Jane Grainger |
|
2010-2011 |
Robin Druett Esq. |
|
2011-2013 |
Bob Usher Esq. |
|
2013 |
Jacqui Bracewell |
|
2013-2017 |
Bob Usher Esq. |
|
2017- |
Des George Esq. |
|
This is a transcription of the board at the top of the stairs leading to the lounge. The Commodore would like to continue entries to the present year. Former Commodores and members are asked to forward suggested important events etc., with year, to the Commodore.
1949 First meeting of Dovey Sailing Club held in Bryn Awel Aberdovey
1950 Captain Rowlands – Admiral - later Commodore
No sailing on Sundays
43 Members
First trials of G.P.14
1951 Commodore: Brigadier Templar
Bell logo adopted for G.P.14 boats
Whist drive in aid of funds
Sailing rules drawn up
Subscription rose to 5/-
Clubroom - Celtic House
1952 Commodore: James N. Evans
Headed note paper
Ration permit renewed
1953 Commodore: E. Howard Davies
Coronation arrangements
1st accident insurance policy
Membership cards
Badges – silver 7/6d – chrome 3/6d
1954 Commodore: E. Howard Davies
Beach shelter renovated
Starting cannon renovated
1955 Commodore: E. Howard Davies
Club’s original minute book lost
1956 Commodore: E. Howard Davies
Starting races by gun not allowed on Sundays
Decline in membership
1957 Commodore: E. Howard Davies
76 railway sleepers (7/- ea) used to facilitate boat recovery
1958 Commodore: E. Howard Davies
‘Moth’ boat proposed as class
Storage room acquired behind Jones’ ironmongers
‘Working ladies’ consulted
Finance - credit balance £100.10s.0d
1959 Commodore: David H. Tildesley
Motor horn instead of gun to start races
G.P.14 terylene sails not permitted
Finance - credit balance £221.8s.7d.
1960 Commodore: David H. Tildesley
Sailing club car badges 10/6d
Rent of club shelter £3.6.3 half year
Terylene sails allowed
Press secretary appointed
1961 Commodore: David H. Tildesley
Institute approached for clubhouse room rental
1962 Commodore: David H. Tildesley
Rumblings of a possible new clubhouse on foreshore
Club ‘stickers’ on masts
1963 Commodore: Searson J. Thompson
£500 invested in Defence Bonds
1964 Commodore: Searson J. Thompson
1965 Commodore: Ralph Davies
Advert for Cleaner 30/-per week
1966 Commodore: Ralph Davies
A.G. Meetings to be held in August
1967 Commodore: Philip Thompson
Foreshore development going ahead
Three offshore racing buoys lost
1968 Commodore: Searson J. Thompson
Clubhouse outline planning approval received. Est cost £7,790
Proposal for water ski-ing
1969 Commodore: Searson J. Thompson
Fund raising for new club house
Dovey Sailing Club becomes Dovey Yacht Club
1970 Commodore: David G. Benbow
Work goes ahead for new clubhouse
1971 Commodore: David G. Benbow
D.Y.C. and G.P.14 featured in G.P.14 Mainsail Magazine
Club celebrated its 21st birthday and opening of new clubhouse
The New Club House
1972 Commodore: Arthur C. Richardson
Dinghy park tarmacademed
Club acquires its own rescue boat
Fuel shortage
1974 Commodore: Walter Brindley
Boat lease granted 28 years
Club finances good
Galley charges Tea 5p, Coffee 7p
1975 Commodore: Walter Brindley
Starting cannon stolen
53 GP14s / 4 Solos / 21 Mirrors / 27 odds and sods
1976 Commodore: Stanley N. Bottrill
Junior boat ownership thriving
General water shortage
1977 Commodore: Stanley N. Bottrill
Membership 267
New safety boat
1978 Commodore: Albert H. Evans
First issue of ‘Dovey Bell’ – journal of DYC
Picnic Island proposals
Dinghy fleet 14 G.P.14/mirror/solo
1979 Commodore: Brian Whittaker
OOD’s to wear arm bands
1980 Commodore: Brian Whittaker
40 solo’s racing
Senior citizen membership £1
1981 Commodore: Jeff Pearce
Finances in the ‘red’
1982 Commodore: Jeff Pearce
Prince Charles and Diana ‘call in’
Host for Welsh Mirror Class Open
1983 Commodore: David Collins
Membership 156
1984 Commodore: David Collins
Club finances healthy again
Balcony renovated (balustrade)
1985 Commodore: David Collins
More sand problems
Over 50’s attend course in Cowes I.O.W. for solo’s – David Benbow
1986 Commodore: David Collins
Decline in dinghy sailors
Increase in sailboarders
1987 Commodore: David Benbow
Objections to new clubhouse
‘Graduate’ national championships
Annual dinner dance Penmaendovey
Sand silting problem
1988 Commodore: David Benbow
Cutter race revived
1989 Commodore: David Benbow
1990 Commodore: David Benbow
Two yacht club boats compete in Three Peaks Race
Serge trains 27 new members
1991 Commodore: Robert F. Heywood
New clubhouse opened
1992 Commodore: Robert F. Heywood
Yacht club wins Carnival trophy
First handbook with names and addresses proposed
1993 Commodore: J.C.A. Tildesley
Visit from Ocean Club ‘Francis Drake’ 65’ ketch – Charlie meets the skipper – a female!
1994 Commodore: J.C.A. Tildesley
The refuge collapses
1995 Commodore: J.C.A. Tildesley
Membership 300
1996 Commodore : J.C.A. Tildesley
Lounge improvements
Bar ‘broken’ into
1997 Commodore: Meryl Glover
‘Gambit’ Sigma 38’ finishes Ninth overall in 24 hour race Cowes I.O.W.
David and Sheila Morris ‘Bonnie’ competed and finished Peking Paris Race for vintage cars
1999 Commodore: Bill Bracewell
Club finances healthy
Youth sailing and training week successful
2000 Commodore: Bill Bracewell