Tag Archives: featured
Work Party Chain Gang
Mission Accomplished: The Ground Chain Gang Delivers! ⚓
A massive thank you to our fine-looking, highly athletic crew who showed up today to haul, drag, and lay the ground chain!
As you can tell from the high-vis jackets, mud-splattered dungarees, and peak tactical camo-shorts-and-wellies combo, absolute zero fashion advice was taken—and no effort was spared. 💪⛓️
The lads made a cracking effort all round. Everything is securely back in place and completely ready to go.
Now, it’s time to get the kettle on and give those aching backs a well-deserved rest! ☕🫖🏆
Committe Meeting Minutes September 2026
Living the Dream in 2026: Wardley’s Sailors Steve, Jeanette, and Pippa’s Voyage to the Scilly Isles
For many sailors, reaching the Scilly Isles is a lifelong ambition. Recently, our very own Steve and Jeanette Adams—along with their beloved Jack Russell terrier, Pippa—finally achieved their dream, sailing their boat all the way from Fleetwood down to the magical archipelago off the Cornish coast.
Their strategy for the voyage was sensible and relaxed: sail down in easy stages, stick to short passages of no more than eight hours, and enjoy the comforts of marina stops along the way. Thanks to Steve’s updates sent back to the club via WhatsApp, we were able to follow their incredible progress.
A Welsh Welcome in Porthmadog
The journey truly hit its stride in late June with a lovely stay in Porthmadog. Moored on the Madoc Yacht Club visitors’ pontoon, the crew enjoyed fantastic weather and a welcoming atmosphere. Taking advantage of the town’s excellent shops and a highly recommended Indian restaurant, they recharged before their next major leg.
Lumpy Seas and 3 AM Emergencies
On June 29th, the crew set sail for the old harbour in Fishguard. As any seasoned sailor knows, it’s not always plain sailing! The first half of the passage featured a very lumpy sea, which left poor Pippa feeling rather stressed out. Thankfully, as the sea smoothed, appetites returned.
They anchored just inside Fishguard’s old harbour, allowing the boat to dry out. However, the glamorous cruising lifestyle was quickly interrupted. At 3:00 am, Steve found himself underneath the boat unblocking the holding tank—proving once again that the skipper always gets the best jobs! Spirits were soon lifted, though, when their friend Graeme bought fresh crabs straight off a local fishing boat, kindly cooking and dressing them for a brilliant onboard feast.
Historic Encounters in Pembrokeshire
Leaving Fishguard on July 2nd, they navigated through Ramsey Sound and Jack Sound at either end of St Bride’s Bay, making their way to Hobbs Point in Milford Haven. The Pembroke Haven Yacht Club made them feel incredibly welcome.
While exploring Dale, Steve had a fascinating encounter with the Brioc—a replica of a 10th-century medieval Celtic boat crafted from wood, linen sails, and leather. The crew of the historic vessel were thoroughly impressed by Steve’s knowledge of the famous Brendan expedition!
After a quick stop in Milford Haven Marina for spares and a pint in a 15th-century fisherman’s pub, they spent their final night in the area anchored in Castle Bay. This spot held a special significance, as it was detailed in a sailing book given to Steve by his father just before the voyage.
Southward to Padstow
On July 7th, the boat departed the Welsh coast for Lundy Island off North Devon. Steve described it as a beautiful island with a uniquely special feel and fantastic food.
Continuing south, they arrived in Padstow on July 8th. After initially anchoring, they moved into the harbour on the tide, rafting up on the North Quay. The weather had turned absolutely “scorchio,” and the crew enjoyed a well-deserved rest, catching up with friends and fellow club members over the phone.
Arrival at the Scillies
After working their way down the coast, the crew finally made the crossing to their ultimate destination: the Scilly Isles. They arrived to wonderful, glorious weather, and Steve reports that the islands absolutely lived up to their reputation as a magical place to visit.
Well, Steve and Jeanette, we loved following the updates, the photos, and the occasional 3 am mishaps. From everyone back at the club, a huge congratulations to you both, and Pippa, of course, for making the voyage safely and truly “living the dream.”
Coronation Cruise, May 2026
Event Report: 2026 Coronation Cruise & Escort of the Historic ‘Severn’
Date: Saturday, 16th May 2026
Location: Wardleys Yacht Club to Old ICI Factory
We are delighted to report that our 2026 “Coronation Cruise” was a resounding success! The weather, the turnout, and the incredible sight of maritime history on the river made it a truly memorable day for the club.
A Diverse Fleet on the Water
It was fantastic to see such a great response from the membership. Around 10 Wardleys members took to the water to form our welcoming committee, bringing out a wonderfully diverse mini-rally of vessels. Our escort fleet featured everything from cruising yachts and dinghies to the trusty tenders, proving that you don’t need a massive boat to enjoy a great day out in company on the river.
The Rendezvous
The day went exactly to plan. The fleet successfully assembled in the river near the creek entrance at 10:15 AM. From there, we enjoyed a group sail northwards under the cables toward the old ICI factory before turning back south. We held our position at the south end of the club moorings, eagerly awaiting our guest of honour.
Right on schedule, around 11:00 AM, the ancient and recently restored classic yacht Severn made her approach on her journey from Skippool to Fleetwood.
Meeting the ‘Severn’
To say the Severn looked magnificent would be an understatement; she was a stunning sight on the water. Her crew was visibly thrilled to see the Wardleys fleet waiting for them, and they were incredibly appreciative that we came out to accompany her down the river.
The wind on the day wasn’t particularly strong, but it was more than sufficient to fill the Severn’s classic sails. In fact, she proved to be surprisingly swift! She moved quietly but rapidly through the water—so much so that our “modern” cruising yachts actually struggled to keep pace under sail and had to humbly resort to firing up their engines to keep up with the historic vessel!
A Warm Exchange
As we escorted her towards Fleetwood, it was wonderful to see the camaraderie between the boats. The hard-working crew of the Severn shared wide smiles and waves with the Wardleys members who pulled up alongside to say hello, warmly thanking us for organising the mini-rally and joining them on their journey.
Following our escort, the Wardleys fleet turned back around the ICI factory as planned, heading home after a fantastic morning on the water.
The Post-Cruise Barbecue
The day didn’t end when we got back to the shore! Once the fleet was safely moored, members gathered to refuel and share stories from the morning. A massive shout-out goes to Ian Brown, who took charge of the grill and absolutely excelled. He kept everyone well-fed, providing an impressive spread of first-rate, full-bore, quarter-pound beef burgers and succulent sausages. It was the perfect conclusion to a fantastic day on the water.
A big thank you to everyone (particularly John Bradbury who organised the event) who brought their boats out, offered berths to fellow members, and helped make this year’s Coronation Cruise such a brilliant showcase of the Wardleys Yacht Club spirit. Here’s to many more club sails this season!
