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News Items Below are some
items that may be of interest to members and visitors alike. We
welcome contributions to the new section of this site. More importantly
we welcome any feedback to the items posted. Tarion - A Sad End
Dave Rogers from Ambientmarin writes Evening,
I recall doing some work on this yacht in 2002
in Liverpool........... is this the 'Tarion' built by Hillyards?
I understand that she ended her days here, sadly
indeed. Tarion was a beautiful example of the Hillyard range,
If she is the same yacht then her story goes
something like, bought from Coburg Yachtbrokers around 2001/2, the new
owner left port on a workup sail and never returned leaving
considerable debt, he was arrested in Gibraltar and the yacht sold on
there to the owners who sadly lost her off Tristan........
The story link is;
The
story of Laranda http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20111012/local/none-the-worse-for-wear.388844 Remembering
Michael & Nicky Joyce. Michael Joyce was born in Strood, Kent in 1922. The family; Father, Sidney, an Engineer, Mother Vera , older sister Doreen, ‘Deen’ & younger brother Anthony, moved to Bedford in1927, then Little Aston, Staffordshire in 1929 on to Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire in 1936. Michael gained a scholarship to Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, leaving in 1939, he was Apprenticed to Bellis & Morcom an engineering company in Birmingham. A family move to Huddersfield Yorkshire resulted in Michael finishing his Apprenticeship there with Hopkinsons Ltd. Michael’s Dad gave him an Austin ‘Chummy ‘ baby car, cost £4.10 shillings to enable him to get to work. This being the start of WW2, Engineering was a reserved occupation giving exemption from call up into the armed services. In 1943 young Michael Joyce volunteered for the army and joined the newly formed Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers, REME. He gained a Commission and began a courtship with Veronica (Nicky) Lansley. No doubt the Austin Chummy came in handy despite petrol being rationed. The couple were wed in 1944. So began a marriage of 66 years. Almost immediately Michael was posted to the Far East, for the next three years, serving in India & Burma, until the Japanese surrender, and finally Hong Kong, ending the war with the rank of Major. For a time he was CO of a TA unit at Folkstone. He also instructed Gravesend Sea Cadets. Half a century later his Indian Army Unit invited Michael to India where he was royally welcomed and entertained by their successors in arms. Resuming married life together, Michael & Nicky had one child, a daughter Susannah who tragically died at 21 years of age. Nicky was a linguist and later in her life became Secretary of the International Professional Business Women’s Association and travelled widely in the course of her work. They took up residence at Stowcroft, Chislehurst Kent, with Michael teaming up with an Old Boy from his Grammar School, publishing ‘Techinview” an Engineering digest moving on to develop a successful Advertising and Public Relations business; Michael Joyce (PR) Ltd in the City of London. One of his juniors was Nick Hewer who later partnered Alan Sugar. Lord Sugar, as he became, was a PR client of Michael’s firm. In his leisure time Michael showed an adventurous trait. Learning to fly, he won an aircraft in a raffle, and the couple flew to France for weekends and holidays where they had bought a Vineyard in the Garonne Lot district. This inspired Michael to form another Company, Southern Air Charter based at Biggin Hill to enable businessmen to attend meetings throughout the UK and near Continent. Around this time, in the early 60’s Michael took up Offshore Cruising under Sail, owning a number of Hillyard yachts, putting his navigational skills to good use. (LIST by reference to HOA Archive) One of these, burned to the waterline following a gas explosion off Keyhaven. In the year 1977, Michael attended a meeting at the Royal Lymington YC called by Hillyard sailors, Robert and Pamela Keen. It was there and then the Hillyard Owners Association was formed with Michael as its first Commodore. He served in this role, producing newsletters, enrolling Hillyarders, Charming everyone with his humour and sharing his infectious enthusiasm for our sea kindly yachts. He published an annual Members Handbook, keeping the accounts, organising dinners & rallies in London, Cowes and elsewhere for the next 21 years. These were memorable for being very convivial ‘dress up’ occasions. The gentlemen members in Blazers & Club ties and the ladies” as fashion and good taste dictate”. The venues rather grand. The Royal London YC on The Esplanade in Cowes, all polished brass & Race Trophies, and at London Boat Show time in January, at the Naval Club in Mayfair. The Association presented Michael with an inscribed silver salver as a mark of appreciation for his efforts. In the Hillyard 12 ton Lina Arni he attended the Brest Festival in 1988 or 92,following which, a very difficult return passage persuaded Michael to quit cruising. He was then 69 years of age. He had the 2.5ton KOALA restored in South Wales and brought her back to the Medway to potter about in. As a nostalgic reminder of their courtship in the 30’s Nicky bought Michael a 1928 Austin Chummy named “Forgetmenot” in which they would attend rallies of the Baby Austin Owners Club. In retirement the two enjoyed many cruises and were especially attracted to the Blue Funnel Line to African destinations. In 1998 Michael was looking for help and a successor to progress the HOA. He took me under his wing and I was proud to continue and try to follow his example of leadership for the Association he loved and nurtured. Nearing retirement, he bought The Mission House at `Gravesend, a former bible school founded by General Gordon of Khartoum on the River Thames opposite Tilbury Forts from where he watched the Thames barge races from the start line. Later moving to an apartment at Mayfield House in Sussex where he and Nicky were very content. This idyll was cut short when the owners sold the property after which the couple moved to Sunrise Living in Sidcup where they were comfortable up to their last days, Michael sadly suffering with Parkinsons. This did not prevent him bravely attending our Dinner at the Naval Club in January 2011 nor enjoying a glass of Champagne and remaining his usual cheery self. I am grateful to Anthony Joyce for a copy of notes spoken at Michael’s Cremation Service which sadly few Hillyarders were able to attend. For five years his carer was Claire Ferguson Webber to whom we are indebted for anecdotes included in this appreciation and obituary of our late much loved President . Michael died at Sunrise Home Sidcup on 2nd July 2010 and Nicky 17 days earlier on the 14th of June, having each experienced 85 years of very full lives. We of the HOA will always treasure their memory. Michael’s invariable parting to myself, and I am sure others was “ God Bless.” Michael Walden Vice President Hillyard Owners Association
I acquired Mistress Anne Two
years ago. I intended to try and save her. Unfortunately Ill health
struck, I am almost fully recovered but as I was unable to work,
Financial Ill health has now struck. 07770274143
Cobweb I was chatting to an old friend last night and we were
talking of the old boats we’ve known and sometimes owned! The
talk turned to my old Hillyard, Cobweb. I owned her back in the
early 70’s and sailed her out of Moody’s Yard on the Hamble. Out
of interest I went looking for information on Hillyards on the Internet
and found your site. I notice that you don’t have a 7-ton
category in your gallery of photos and wondered if you would like the
attached. Not a brilliant photograph, (well, it’s 40 years old),
but most of the others I have don’t show her sailing.
I wonder if she’s still afloat? I don’t know how
to find out if the subsequent owners managed to keep the old girl
going. Not the fastest boat on the Solent but probably the most
kindly one. She was well loved by the harbour-master at Yarmouth
I-O-W who would always find a berth for us even at the height of the
summer!
I hope you find the picture interesting. If you
want more then I’m sure that I can find more stuff in the album.
Dawn Lady & Vivona - St Mawes - Enough
said..........
I currently own the 1938 9t
White Goose. I have been aiming to restore her for some time, but
with time and work pressure against me, I've made little progress.
The storage I have will be
unavailable from the end of March, and sadly this means I will have to
abandon the project.
What I would like to know is
whether you know of anyone willing to take on such a project. The
yacht is dry, and has been stored indoors for several years. She
is pitchpine on oak, with a teak deck, and centre cockpit. She
needs serious work, as basically she is an empty hull. I have
various fittings that have been removed from the boat.
I fear that if I am unable
to find someone to take the boat on then I may well have to break her
up, which I would like to avoid.
I would be happy for the
boat to find a good home, a small contribution to clearing the storage
fees would be very welcome, though I would not be terribly worried
about that.
Phone 07761192099, or
email gdbushell@btinternet.com
Many thanks,
Gordon Bushell
Lady Sarnia 5 Ton
Lady Sarnia
I am a practicing shipwright
offering this sevice out of Newhaven, East Sussex, where I have just
recently restored a timber vessel for one of my clients, I was indeed
apprenticed to a local yard in this part of Sussex where at that time
(1970's) they were still building in timber. Christmas Quiz - Who is this? Dear Sir,
The enclosed photo of this
lovely, single handed Hillyard sailing towards the Raz de Sein, was
taken in August 2009. We sailed past her but not close enough to read
her name. I wondered if by any chance you could identify her so that
the owner could have a picture of his boat under sail.
Sincerely,
Nick
trained at the International Boatbuilding Training College in
Lowestoft, Suffolk, from 1986-7 before joining the renowned Combes
Boatyard in Bosham, West Sussex, in 1987. He remained with the
yard until its closure in 1999, latterly working as slipway manager,
and then set up Nick Gates & Co (formerly Southbourne Boatyard).
   For Services that can get you Hillyard looking like this please contact:- Nick Gates Nick Gates & Co Unit 3, Emsworth Shipyard, Emsworth, Hampshire. PO10 8BP Tel: 07957 422941; Email: nick@nickgates.co.uk www.nickgates.co.uk Singing Girl - Five Ton - In need of Help Information has come to the attention of some members in the West Country that 'Singing Girl' a five ton Hillyard, built in 1934 is being offered for free to one or those who are prepared to take her on. She is currently on the slipway below Brunel Bridge on the River Tamar with a sign saying 'Take for Free'. Now we all appreciate this is no way for a manageable yacht of this vintage to go so action is required. The association is aware that she was restored and sailed between 1988 and 1998 and last sold to a group of three Marine Science students from Plymouth University. The boat is ashore on a
public hard approx. 150 yards DOWN river from the eastern support of
the Tamar railway bridge (Brunel Bridge). It is accessed via Military
Road which must be approached by car from the St Budeaux district of
Plymouth. (Access from the Tamar road crossing is only for buses from
the nearby A38).
The boat is located just
behind a little cafe adjacent to a pub (name not to hand) -on the hard
between cafe and river.
This is an opportunity to claim a piece of maritime history and keep it on the map for you and others to enjoy. Photos of Singing Girl below      Guy Smith - 27th October 2010 Please contact paulholmes1956@hotmail.co.uk or hillyardyachts@ntlworld.com Where is Beltane - 1937 - 14 ton Hillyard Anthony Burdon writes:- I wonder if the owners of Beltane, a 1937, 14 ton, (now) cutter rigged Hillyard are members. My late grandfather owned her in the late 1940s and possibly from new. His daughters, my mother, is still alive and living in Devon. She remembers the boat fondly and we live almost overlooking where Beltane was moored in the river Dart just after the war. It would be marvelous if we could see an up to date picture of her as we only have one old black and white shot of her under sail. Any news of her whereabouts, history, photographs please contact anthony.burdon@virgin.net Hythe Event September 2010 Dear all. Just to let you know that a Hillyard gathering is planned at Hythe Marina (Southampton Water)on the weekend of 11th-12th September. Hythe Marina is my 'home marina' and for those who don't know it, Hythe is situated on the Western side of Southampton Water, approximately five and a half miles upstream from Calshot. The marina is accessed via a lock. The plan is to raft some of our boats in a designated area, and depending upon numbers, other berths will be available as close to the main group as possible. A special berthing discount has been arranged, with 20% off the standard rate of £3.25 per metre (up to 12.5m). Although no 'formal' evening meal on the Saturday is planned as such, it is likely that a good few of us will eat in the Italian Restaurant (La Vista) which is located on the marina itself. Booking is advisable, and this should be done direct with the restaurant (02380 207730). Alternatively, Hythe village (4 or 5 minutes walk from the marina entrance) has a choice of 'eateries', such as pizza parlours, pubs, an Indian restaurant/takeaway, a Thai restaurant and a Chinese takeaway. Our H.O.A. Commodore (Steve Tiffin) and his wife Liz will be hosting a pontoon drinks party from their 13 tonner, Ianthe, on the Saturday evening. Timings and other details will be confirmed nearer the time, or as people arrive (I will be about, to assist wherever possible). The Southampton Boat Show starts that weekend, and Hythe is well placed for this, as the nearby Hythe Ferry goes to Town Quay in Southampton, which is next door to the show entrance. For those perhaps wishing to take in a visit to the show, or just wanting to make more of a weekend of it, berths will be available from the Friday (10th). All are welcome (whether by road or sea) and it would be great to see you all! I would ask in particular, that anyone coming by boat to please let me know, either by letting me know via this site, by personal messaging(in the HOA Handbook), or replying directly to this post (In Yahoo Group) , or by phoning me on 07790 655774, as I would need to have an idea of numbers, for arranging berths. I will also provide you with any further information that you may require. Finally, I would ask you all to please make any other Hillyarder friends you may happen to know, aware of this event, as there will be no mailouts for it. Any further information required, please don't hesitate to give me a shout. It would be great to see you all! Best Regards, Doug Where is She Now - ILLAWARRA Richard Blomfield Writes I don`t know whether
Illawarra is still afloat. I certainly hope so She is not listed in my
last edition of Lloyds (1979).
My father,Capt N C
Blomfield owned her for a number of years in Jersey during the
fifties having bought her from Lt.Col.Stevenson,of Gorey.She was built
by Hillyards in 1929.
 Illawarra - Gorey Harbour I enclose two photos
one of her at anchor in Grouville Bay taken from the pierhead and Gorey
Harbour and the other of her after she had been brought home By
Capy.Bolitho`s motorboat "Onward" after having hit the Flat Rock a few
hundred yards off Gorey Harbour entrance. A willing party of helpers
came to assist,as you can see. My father is the shirtless one in the
cockpit. He should have known the exact position of the Flat Rock as he
had been sailing out of Gorey for ten years at that time. The fact that
he had the particularly attractive wife of a colleague on board at the
time may have meant that his attention had been diverted for a moment!!
 Illawarra - Grouville Bay Jersey I would be interested to
hear any news of the old girl.She sailed well,particularly well as I
remember when her jackyard tops`l went up in the right breeze.
I hope these snaps may be
of interest to some of your members.
Regards
QUAESITOR NO. 166161 I have joined your yahoo group in order to trace the
whereabouts of a boat which was made by Hillyards for a relative of
mine, AA Rowse, and registered at Littlehampton July 16th 1938. The
boat was then called VALMARA, and her registration was 166161. My
relative died in 1959 and VALMARA was sold on.
She was classified as a Bermudan Cutter, a single
masted wood pleasure yacht, gross tonnage 28.13, with 6 bulkheads,
and sometime between 1966 - 1971 her name changed from VALMARA to
QUAESITOR.
The ledgers for the port of Littlehampton record:
'Registry closed 26 April 1974 on sale of vessel to foreigners (USA
citizen). Certificate of registry delivered up. Advice received from
Treasury Dept, Bureau and Customs, Miami, Florida.' However a
search in the US Coast Guard database has failed to identify the vessel.
Can anyone help me find her?
With many thanks,
Daniel Eugenio, association member and proud owner of Malina (6 Ton) has very kindly set up a yahoo group for Hillyards owners so that we can communicate and exchange valuable information between the owners and interested parties. To subscribe, just send a message to: hillyards-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
and follow the instructions This appears to be a great idea that will compliment the
existing
website, to which I will add an appropriate link. Give it a go. The
more that goes in to the group the more we can get out of it. Lady C Pips
Valsheda for Line Honours - See Sailing Yarns for photographic proof!! We never intended to enter for the
Antigua Classic race series but as we were so close we decided to come
and have a look. Arriving in Falmouth harbour we dropped the anchor and
the next day we walked around to The Antigua Yacht Club, in torrential
rain, to see what it was all about. We were introduced to Kenny
Coomes, the Regatta Chairman, who spent a long time explaining how the
series worked and he assured us that we would have a great time. We
provisionally singed up for all the races and the Concours De Elegance
and having done that we set about making the old girl look respectable,
which after all her cruising wasn't easy especially in the baking heat
of the day. We also had to take lots and lots of measurements as she
had to be rated to be able to compete. The entry was £125 and
included free berthing in the marina at English harbour so once we had
scrubbed up we went around to take up our position. We were to moor
stern to on the first pontoon out from the club, a maneuver that is
rather unpleasant in a boat with an offset propeller, but with a long
line to the jetty we managed to drop the anchor from the bow and winch
ourselves into pride of place right in front of the lawn of the yacht
club. We were in the front line and best placed for all the
activities, Panerai, the main sponsors had their hospitality bar set up
about 10 paces away from us and they provided an incredible level of
liquid and gastronomic delight for the duration of the races,
including a breakfast bag and daily paper delivered to the boat each
morning. Gaynor and I have never raced and we were a little
apprehensive about it although Kenny assured us that we would be able
to take on crew without any problems. On the way back to the boat after
registering we stopped for a beer and looking out of the bar I spotted
Mike Frith, the artist from Chichester who sails his boat, Blue Eagle
out of Itchenor where we keep Lady C. Mike was out her with his
girlfriend Sandy and they had two more friends, Alan and Jenny arriving
the next day, suddenly we had a full crew and they were absolutely
fantastic. Walking around the pontoons that night to look at all the
other boats was amazing and the beauty of the big boats such as
Velsheda, Ranger, Rebecca and Windrose was awe inspiring. We wondered
why we had entered the Concours but when the judges arrived the next
morning they made very positive noises and that night we were awarded
2nd place in the privately maintained vintage boat category.
Friday dawned grey and cloudy and my nerves were jangling as we lifted
the anchor and headed out to the start. We were the second race
to go off and thanks to Mike's cool hand on the helm we made a good
start and headed for the first mark. It wasn't long before we
could see the bigger boats charging up behind us and the two massive
J's came past, one on either side in a truly magnificent display of
speed and grace, their huge quarter wakes almost swamping us with what
appeared to be two mini Tsunamis. After a great race
we finished in third place and headed back to the wonderful
party atmosphere in Falmouth harbour. Day two saw the start of The
Butterfly race and there were lots of squalls coming through with
prolonged periods of heavy rain, we were all totally soaked, but very
happy to secure 2nd place. Sunday, day three of racing, was The Cannon, straight out and back twice, a total of
24 miles on a broad reach . We were reduced to only four crew as
Alan and Jenny, who had been a bit seasick on the first day, decided to
have a beach day but we still managed a great days racing and came
second in class, just pipping Velsheda across the finishing line. The
guys on the committee boat came around to see us and told us that
they have a fabulous picture of us taking line honours from her, one
for the album I'm sure. The race ended and we headed round to Falmouth
Harbour for the parade of sail where we received some very flattering
comments from the commentator. Day four was a real toughie with
an 8 mile slog to windward but by now the skies had cleared and the sun
was shining and Lady C was obviously enjoying herself and appeared to
be better balanced than she had been previously. We romped home in
second place again and an elated ship and crew headed round to
English Harbour to take up the offer of a further two nights free
berthing right beside the prize giving arena. This has been a truly
amazing experience and we have had such a great time racing with a
fabulous crew and now have over a hundred miles of racing
experience under our belts. Our final position is second in class and
we've just bought the T Shirts with Lady Corinne listed as one of the
participating Yachts, we real do feel very proud of her and this
experience will be a memory we shall cherish forever.
LadyC and her Prize Winning Crew
wish you all the very best from The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta 2010
Folly Inn May 2009          |
