2017
Back to Sandbank: the opening of the Fairmile Building
David Boyd Jnr (l), Denis Jackson (r) and three members of SPS, in front of the wonderful 1958 Beken photo of Sceptre
(photo Stuart Nimmo Photography/HIE)
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Exhibition of Robertsons and Sceptre memorabilia (photo Stuart Nimmo Photography/HIE)
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 David Boyd Jnr (l) and Denis Jackson (r) with Sceptre's grinder (photo Stuart Nimmo Photography/HIE)
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David Boyd Jnr with his miniature replica of the Auld Mug
In February 2017 the Sceptre Preservation Society was invited to attend the opening of a new business unit in Sandbank, and were given the opportunity to put on an exhibition about Sceptre and Alexander Robertson's boatyard for guests and local people. The building is named after the Fairmile, a fast motor torpedo boat built by Robertsons during the war, but the Highlands & Islands Enterprise, the developers, had taken a special interest in Sceptre, installing a magnificent photo of the boat sailing in 1958 in their reception area (see photo above, left).
Despite Storm Doris, we drove up to the Clyde on the Thursday, meeting up with Peter, one of our local members, for the ferry ride to Hunters Quay. We had asked for Sceptre 1958 crew members David Boyd Jnr and Denis Jackson to be invited, and had also contacted a number of others interested in the boat’s history. There were around 50 invited guests, and I think around 50 further people turned up for the “open day” which followed the formal event. David Boyd Jnr was asked to perform the unveiling, with help from his grandson. At the end of his speech, he wished Ben Ainslie and crew luck with their forthcoming America’s Cup challenge, and we presented David and Denis with cards signed by Ben Ainslie, which we had had sent from BAR.
Having braved the stormy ferry crossing from Islay, David Boyd brought along some family albums, collections of newspaper cuttings about the 1958 America’s Cup and his commemorative miniature Auld Mug trophy. We showed a number of framed photos, articles, the America's Cup Programme and Sceptre's Blue Book, a slideshow and of course, the grinder. The film Birth of a Challenger was shown throughout the event, with people recognising old workmates (“there’s Skunk” said one man… “no need to tell you why we called him that!”!). There was a lovely atmosphere of reminiscence and story-telling: people were meeting others who had worked at Robertsons in the 1960s, and Peter found several old schoolmates and discovered that his father had taught David Boyd Jnr maths!
Chris & Jenny
Despite Storm Doris, we drove up to the Clyde on the Thursday, meeting up with Peter, one of our local members, for the ferry ride to Hunters Quay. We had asked for Sceptre 1958 crew members David Boyd Jnr and Denis Jackson to be invited, and had also contacted a number of others interested in the boat’s history. There were around 50 invited guests, and I think around 50 further people turned up for the “open day” which followed the formal event. David Boyd Jnr was asked to perform the unveiling, with help from his grandson. At the end of his speech, he wished Ben Ainslie and crew luck with their forthcoming America’s Cup challenge, and we presented David and Denis with cards signed by Ben Ainslie, which we had had sent from BAR.
Having braved the stormy ferry crossing from Islay, David Boyd brought along some family albums, collections of newspaper cuttings about the 1958 America’s Cup and his commemorative miniature Auld Mug trophy. We showed a number of framed photos, articles, the America's Cup Programme and Sceptre's Blue Book, a slideshow and of course, the grinder. The film Birth of a Challenger was shown throughout the event, with people recognising old workmates (“there’s Skunk” said one man… “no need to tell you why we called him that!”!). There was a lovely atmosphere of reminiscence and story-telling: people were meeting others who had worked at Robertsons in the 1960s, and Peter found several old schoolmates and discovered that his father had taught David Boyd Jnr maths!
Chris & Jenny
2016
Hebridean Cruise
This year's cruise started in the Clyde, with Sceptre taking a week to sail round the Mull of Kintyre and up the west coast to Oban. After a partial crew change, we set off for the Hebrides, enjoying some beautiful but not terribly windy weather. A couple of drizzly days were par for the course, and we managed to visit Rum, Skye and the Old Forge Inn at Knoydart, the most remote pub on mainland Britain.
This year's cruise started in the Clyde, with Sceptre taking a week to sail round the Mull of Kintyre and up the west coast to Oban. After a partial crew change, we set off for the Hebrides, enjoying some beautiful but not terribly windy weather. A couple of drizzly days were par for the course, and we managed to visit Rum, Skye and the Old Forge Inn at Knoydart, the most remote pub on mainland Britain.
Sailing past Muck
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At anchor, Rum
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Loch Nevis
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Fair Ahead!
"Fair Ahead" by Chris Burkett
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"Fair Ahead", by Chris Burkett, was inspired by a photo of Sceptre sailing down the Sound of Islay. "I just loved the set of her sails," said Chris, who lives in Sheffield, but sails on the West Coast of Scotland. He paints only occasionally, being limited by the amount of wall-space in his house and his family's tolerance of his efforts... we think he should get a bigger house! |
America's Cup Memories
Sceptre's America's Cup crew (Denis Jackson is second from the left) - Sports Illustrated, 15 Sept 1958
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We were delighted to welcome Denis Jackson back to Sceptre earlier this summer for a nostalgic sail from his home town of Rhu to Holy Loch, where Sceptre was built. Denis was a member of Sceptre's America's Cup crew in 1958, and we hope he enjoyed being aboard as much as we enjoyed hearing about his experiences. |
Back on board, June 2016
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Winter in Gloucester Docks
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Sceptre has spent the winter at Tommi Nielsen's Boatyard in Gloucester's historic docks, and is in very good company: a number of other lovely wooden boats of various vintages are alongside, waiting for their turn in the dry dock.
Thanks to Jess Carter for these two atmospheric photos of Sceptre in Gloucester Docks, taken from her window
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Some images of Sceptre during the winter at Nielsen's: some steel and laminated oak ribs were replaced in the bow, and many other jobs both inside and out were completed by members of Sceptre Preservation
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Do you recognise this yacht? Sceptre has been modelling for sculptor Geoffrey Stephenson, and we hope his client is delighted with the result. The sculpture is in Portland Stone, on a teak base, and stands some 5' tall - what a lovely thing to have in your sitting room!
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2015
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Sceptre attracted the attention of a local group, the Gloucester & District Model Boat Club. We were happy to give them a talk about Sceptre's history and current activities, and they enjoyed a good look round the boat. Maybe it will inspire a new model yacht to be built...
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Members of the Gloucester & District Model Boat Club on their visit to Sceptre, with Chris and Jenny
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Delivery Trip from Oban to Gloucester: a challenging trip in terms of navigation and weather conditions, but thoroughly enjoyed by all 10 on board! Sceptre left Oban early on Monday morning, and with choppy conditions taking their toll as the day wore on, they made for a welcome anchorage in Machrihanish Bay. Twelve hours later, everyone was happy to carry on, reaching Swansea on Wednesday evening, with about 15 minutes to spare before the lock gates closed! They sailed to Portishead on Thursday, and on Friday found their way through the mist to Sharpness and the start of the Canal. Once the mist had lifted, they had a delightful motor along the 16 miles or so of the Canal, reaching Gloucester Docks on Friday afternoon. Sceptre is now at Tommi Nielsen's yard for some work to be carried out over the winter months.
Sunset from Machrihanish Bay
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Portishead Marina, waiting for the lock to open
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The Severn Bridge
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The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal
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Coming in to Gloucester Docks
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Berthed at T Nielsen & Co, Gloucester Docks
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A cruise round the Clyde: when based in Rhu, we often go to Troon, East Loch Tarbert or Largs for a weekend sail. This time we had a week to explore some different areas, including Loch Ranza on Arran, all the way up Loch Fyne to Inveraray, and Great Cumbrae where we hired bikes to cycle round the island.
Looking down Loch Ranza towards the castle
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A brave swim in North Bay, Loch Fyne
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A breather half way round Great Cumbrae
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A quiet evening in East Loch Tarbert, Loch Fyne