Celebrating 50 years of membership 

Special reception to celebrate members with 50 plus years of RYA membership

Wednesday (16 September) at the Southampton Boat Show the RYA held a special reception to celebrate the continued support of those members who have held RYA membership for 50 years or more.  

In the first event of its kind, of the 177 members who have held RYA membership for 50 years or more, 45 made the trip to the show for the reception.  Joined by friends and family, guests enjoyed an afternoon tea and mingled with members of RYA staff including RYA CEO Sarah Treseder and Chairman Stacey Clark.  

Each of the members were presented with a specially designed 50 year membership pin and certificate to mark the special occasion.  

“This has been a fantastic event”, commented Stacey Clark, RYA Chairman.  “What an amazing group of people with some incredible stories to tell.  Having done the calculations between them they have over 2,500 years-worth of membership!  

“It is with the continued support of members such as these that the association has been able to be so successful and to grow over the years.  Fifty years ago the RYA had just over 22,000 members, while today we have nearly 106,500, the highest membership ever, and we continue to go from strength to strength.”  

A number of special presentations where also made by RYA CEO Sarah Treseder to:

• Cliff Norbury, the longest serving member at the event with some 66 years of continuous membership. 

• Robin Aisher OBE, bronze medallist in the 1968 Mexico Olympics
• Father and son, Jonathan and George Glenny, who both hold over 50 years continuous RYA membership and
• Tony and Chrissie Saunders who not only marked 50 years of RYA membership but also celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in the same week.  

“What an incredible group of people, so many achievements, a wealth of experience and such wonderful stories to tell.  I am delighted so many where able to join us for this special occasion”, commented Sarah.  

George Chapman from the Isle of Wight who has been a member for 60 years commented: “My dad joined as a family member when I was 14/15 years old and I’ve stayed a member ever since.  This is a really nice thought to recognise our continued membership, a lovely event.”  

Eighty year old John Culver, MBE, who travelled from St Ives in Cornwall for the reception commented: “Brilliant.  It is really good to be recognised for long standing support.  The RYA do a marvellous job looking after our sport.”  

Anyone who was unable to attend the event will be sent their pin and certificate in the coming weeks.  

“It has been a wonderful event and we are delighted that so many members were able to join us”, commented Conor Swift, RYA Membership Development Manager.  “Recognising our 50 year members will now be an ongoing programme and as members reach the 50 year milestone they will automatically be sent their commemorative pin and certificate.”  

A selection of images from the event are available to view on the RYA Facebook page. 

Find out more about the benefits of RYA membership and how to join.