2006 Rotary Convention Copenhagen (Denmark)

This year our Rotary International Convention took place in the beautiful city of Copenhagen. The evening prior to the opening of the R I Convention saw some 85 members of IYFR assemble aboard the PIC Ken Winter's magnificent ship "Pacific Mermaid" which was berthed alongside the Queens berth in Copenhagen. All dressed in white we were welcomed with a glass of Champagne. And we were very much the interest of passers by.

1st Night Welcome Aboard

The highlight of the evening was when our IC Bill Robinson bestowed on incoming R I President Bill Boyd honorary membership of IYFR. Auckland (NZ) Commodore Terry Stretton and 1st Mate Meryl welcomed Bill Boyd to the New Zealand Fleet and presented him with a pennant and lapel pin.

Auckland Fleet Commodore Terry Stretton and First Mate Meryl present the IYFR pennant to Rotary International President Bill Boyd

Our AGM/Luncheon took place at the Langelinie Pavillomen Copenhagen where IC Bill Robinson welcomed some 105 IYFR members and mates before a very succulent luncheon was served. Area reports were received from IVC Brian Skinner (GB&I), IRC John Milne (Australia) and Cmdre Gary Bruner (USA)

Due to new legislation being placed in operation by Rotary International which will affect all Fellowships we were extremely fortunate to have IC Bill Robinson to lead us, and thanks must be passed to him for the wonderful effort he has put in to smooth the course running of this legislation. In other business PIC Andrew Mitchell presented to PIC Ken Winter's his belated Past Commodores Jewel. In closing IC Bill Robinson thanked the many members for their contribution and efforts to improve our Fellowship.

IYFR Skaw Fleet sailboats and Pacific Mermaid at Marstrand

Following the Copenhagen/Malmo Convention members travelled by coach from Copenhagen to Gothenburg to our hosts the gathering took place in the GKSS Marina (Gothenburg Royal Yacht Club) some 17 yachts place PIC Ken Winters "Pacific Mermaid" The following day yachts started from different places to sail to the fishing village of Skarhamm. At Skarhamm the Swedish Rescue Asssociation demonstrated one of its moden rescue boats, and dinner was served in the Restaurant Kompasser and Past Fleet Cmdre Gunnar Jardelow of the Skaw was toastmaster for the evening. The following day (Saturday) was the day of the Volvo Ocean Race so all boats made their way to Marstrand.

Guards at their post-Carlstein Castle

At Marstrand all attendees boarded the "Pacific Mermaid"to go to the entrance of Gothenburg to see the final stages of the race. We were very lucky in having a vintage point to witness the finish of the race where the Yacht "Pirates of the Carribban" finish first. We then all returned to Marstrand for the evening "Vikings Party" Here we were accompanied by soldiers and drummers all in historical uniform from the quay to the old Carlsten Castle (Dating back to 1660)

In the old knight room we were served a delightful meal and again Fleet Cmdre Tom Selberg was our toastmaster. Sunday Morning saw us tour the city and learn of the history of Sweden and Denmark. Following this tour we then sailed back to Gothenburg. On arrival all boats were berthed in the lilla Bommen Marina at the Iopera House and a tour of the city took place. The final dinner took place at the Royal Bachelors Club. Here Past Cmdre Hans Hollander was Toastmaster for the evening, and jazz music welcomed the guests into the garden. ICmdre Bill Robinson Thanked the organising committee of the Skaw Fleet for a wonderful job well organised and carried out. After breakfast the following morning it was time for the hosts to say farewell to the guests who then wended their way back to their respective homes.

They came, they saw, they conquered, when IC Bill Robinson and his 1st Mate Katia visited the U. K. they won the hearts of all who met them. they were hosted by IVC Brian Skinner, where, at his home awaited some 35 IYFR members from the Suffolk, Fenlands, and Broads Fleets to welcome them to these shores. A most enjoyable BBQ supper was enjoyed by all and IC Bill and Katia talked to everyone. The following day they were taken to meet Cmdre Rodney Davis (Thanes Fleet) where they boarded Rodney's boat for a trip down the Thames where, they passed through Cleeve Lock there they were joined by three other boats from the Thames Fleet, then on to the Swan Hotel at Streatly where everyone moored up for lunch.

This lunch was attended by some 32 members of the Thames Fleet including District Govenor (1090) David Buckland. An excellent lunch was served, greetings made, and Fleet Cmdre Rodney Davis presented IC Bill with a book of aerial photographs of the Thames. IC Bill together with 1st mate Katia then left with Christopher Bishop and his wife Jane who were hosting them for the night. On the way they stopped at the Gardens of Wisley and enjoyed a walk together, then, after a light supper IC Bill and Katia were taken to an English Pub where they sampled some (warm) beers.

After an early start the following day to get to the River Hamble they boarded a 50 ft motor yacht where they cruise through the Solent to Beaulieu mooring at the Master Builder Hotel in the historic Bucklers hard. The return journey went via Cowes where they moored in the private marina of the Royal Yacht Squadron they were taken on a private tour

IYFR members at the Royal Yacht Club

In the evening a celebratory dinner was held in the Royal Southern Yacht Club where the Solent Fleet were joined by members of the Sussex Fleet. A very welcomed guest was Cmdre of the San Franciso Fleet and IYFE Webmaster Clint Collier. The next day IC Bill and Katia were transported to Gravesend Rotary Club to meet members of the Medway Fleet. Here Bill gave a very interesting talk in IYFR and his involvement with Rotary in Russia.

The following day IVCmdre Brian Skinner took IC Bill and Katia up the M1 to meet the President and friends of the Flying Fellowship before proceeding back to Heathrow and home.

A chance meeting by IC Bill Robinson and Patrick Hunt Cmdre of the Vancouver Island Fleet last year when they were anchored in Winter Cove Saturna Island came to the conclusion that it would be a wonderful idea if the Pacific Northwest Region IYFR members of both Canada and the U S could meet informally each year. So, the plan was hatched for members each year to gather together in "Winter Cove" in the Canadian Gulf Islands to celebrate Canada Day on July 1st and then meet up in Friday Harbour in the San Juan Islands to celebrate America's Independance Day on July 4th. This year the celebrations on the 1st July consisted of some 11 IYFR boats and their crews where fun and friendship was the order of the day, and on the 4th July at Friday Harbour celebrations took place to celebrate U S Independence Day this was sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Juan Island where they sung and danced along with the "oldies but goodies music" Fantastic Food, Fellowship, Fun, Fabulous Music, and Fireworks expanded the fabric of goodwill between two countries IYFR at its best.

24th Annual international Rendezvous of US and Canadian Fleets 2006 Vancouver Island, Canada

Fantastic food, fellowship and fun

In the 3rd week in August the 24th Annual International Rendezvous of the Canadian and U S Fleets took place. This year the rendezvous took place in Sidney Harbour British Columbia when some 95 attendees from eight fleets within the six Rotary Districts. The first gathering took place in 1983 and has been an annual event ever since. This year the rendezvous was spearheaded by Cmdre Patrick Hunt of the Vancouver Fleet (Canada) who organised the three day event The first evening featured a potluck social under a large tent on the docks. The next evening saw Rotarians boarding busses to be taken to Capital City Yacht Club for dinner, this was followed by a visit to the famous Butchart Gardens for their weekly firework extravaganza. Each year this event brings more and more people and has become one of the highlights of the summer boating season.

In September the Victoria Fleets gathered some 33 children and took them aboard the 118 foot "Thomas Spirit" for a day's sailing and as the Vancouver Fleet Cmdre said it is hoped that this experience will be something they'll remember for a very long time.

It was with regret that we learnt that due to ill health Rear Comdr John Milne had now resigned and under the guidance of IPCmdre Ferit Berin the nomination committee elected as Int Rear Cmdre Terry Stretton (Auckland New Zealand) who immediately assumed responsibilities for Area 3 (Asia Pacific Region) for the balance of John Milne term of office.

In November a real red letter day occurred and all Mariner's/Iforians throughout the world congratulate Past G B Commodore Wilf Taylor on his reaching his 100th Birthday. He served for many years under Cmdre Silver Carter who in those day's almost ran the G B fleets entirely on his own. Wilf Taylor took over at a very difficult time at the retirement of Silver Carter He served the G B Fleets well and was their Cmdre 1989 to 1992.

October 9th saw IVC Brian Skinner attending the chartering of the Germany South Fleet at the Water Haven Centre of the University of EriangenNurberg in Plainfield some 28 members together with their mates attended the ceremony. Members of the Fleet had previously completed a cruise around the island of Kos in the Aegean and it was on this cruise that preparations were made to form the Fleet.

Chartering of German South Fleet

FC Michael Fischer and IVC Bryan Skinner

November also saw V Cmdre Brian Skinner being met at the Railway Station in Tarento to charter the newly formed South East Italian Fleet. He had traveled from Naples where on the previous day met members of the Italy South West Fleet. So, on the 18th November attended by 24 members and their mates, together with Assistant District Governor (District 2120) Antonia Siggillino and members from the District IYC Brian Skinner presented the Charter to the new Fleet Commodore. Gifts were exchanged and the new Fleet Cmdre Antonia Gigante proposed the toast to the new Fleet The following day our Vice Cmdre was invited to attend the annual Grape Harvest Festival at the winery of Mandchunia some 300 people. After a grand wine tasting a 16 course meal was served

Charter Presentation Fleet Cmdre Antonio Gigante with IVC Bryan Skinner

The year 2007 will again be a red letter year for us all as this year will make our Fellowship some 60 years old. Many plans are already in the pipeline. In March the GB Fleets will be meeting in Chester to celebrated the 60th anniversary, and a black Tie succulent dinner has already been arranged on Saturday 16th March this will be followed by a service the following morning in Chester Cathedral. On the International scene our first IYFR meeting in Salt Lake City has been arranged to take place on Saturday 16th June at the historic Peery Hotel where a 4 course dinner is being arranged so that IYFR members can meet without a formal agenda. Our annual AGM meeting is due to take place at Christopher's commencing at 11.30 a.m. for appetizers followed by a luncheon prior to our AGM. Arrangements have already been put in hand for our Post Convention Cruise which is due to take place in the Washington State San Juan Islands with day cruises on boats. Thursday it is planned for members to spend one night in Seattle, Friday it is planned for the group to travel by the Victoria Clipper catamaran from Seattle to Friday harbour. Saturday will be a day cruising and on the Sunday it is planned for members to be taken to Roche Harbour where the day will end with the famous Roche Harbour Flag Ceremony Monday following breakfast members will then depart to make their own way home.

The plans being formulated for 2007 are indeed exciting for all members, and appreciation must be passed to Int Cmdre Bill Robinson and his !st Mate Katia for not only the smooth running of our fellowship but for the updating of our computer systems and the work put in to make the new regulations etc that Rotary International has placed upon us acceptable to us. It is indeed good to know that the high moral and ethical standards set by many past International Commodores who have led and served our Fellowship with great expertise is still being maintained.