Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2010/January 2011 | Page 96

on the water

Island Life - December 2010

“We do now have a number of French
members, whom we welcome with
open arms!”
Although the original core remains,
in the mid 1850’s architect Anthony
Salvin built most of the castle as it
stands today. Over the years there have
been further additions, the most recent
coming with the introduction of the
Pavilion and the Jubilee Haven.
“The pavilion stands where hitherto
we had a marquee erected every
summer. We now have a magnificent
building designed by Sir Thomas Croft
which was his first major commission
and he did a fantastic job,” enthuses
the Commodore. .
“Soon after that we embarked on
building the RYS Jubilee Haven, and
that has been the most incredible
success. One can hardly imagine now
going back to the time when we had
to anchor or pick up a mooring and be
brought ashore by launch. The privilege
of being able to moor at the foot of the
castle is fantastic and its construction
provided the protection that enable the
Cowes Harbour Commission to build
the Trinity Landing. “There was quite
a bit of concern, even opposition, to
both projects at the time, but I suppose
the Squadron is an organisation
that doesn’t easily take to change.
“Anything as dramatic as a new
building on the lawn was inevitably
going to cause a certain amount of
apprehension but I am glad to say
in both cases the reception is now
overwhelmingly positive.”
The Admiral of the RYS, The Duke
of Edinburgh, was also responsible
for bringing about change during his
six-year spell as Commodore from 1962
to 1968. A regular visitor to The Castle,
it was he who added the Ladies Dining
Room and the Balcony in 1964.
Members come from all around the
world, with a great number from
the Isle of Wight. Only recently one
member ‘popped in for the Trafalgar
dinner’ on his way from Russia to
his home in the United States. RYS
members regularly sail alongside
youngsters, offering advice in an annual
race experience sail week to those who
96

may become members of the future.
The Commodore describes his duties

Commodore revealed: “He was seated
on his horse next to Wellington when

as being like ‘the chairman of a

his leg was struck by a cannon ball. The

company’. He is assisted by three other

immortal exchange then took place ‘My

Flag Officers; the Rear Commodore

God sir, I have lost my leg’ to which

Finance, the Rear Commodore Yachting

Wellington replied: ‘My God sir, so you

and the Vice Commodore.

have’!”

The RYS is synonymous with Cowes

Not an enjoyable time for the Marquis,

Week and is solely responsible for two

but a truly enjoyable morning for me,

days of the regatta. The Squadron line

with the Commodore having done

is the point where the vast majority of

much to expunge the ‘occasional’

races begin, signalled by the booming

image of the Royal Yacht Squadron as

of the cannon across the Solent.

being somewhat aloof.

The Castle was the former home of
the then governor of the Isle of Wight,

Photo above: The Bobsleigh run was

the Marquis of Anglesey, who lived

taken at the Commonwealth Games

there until he died. When the Marquis

in 1966, Michael’s team mate was The

was known as the Earl of Uxbridge he

Hon. Robin Dixon, they were placed

lost a leg at the Battle of Waterloo, the

10th.
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