This year saw the usual mix of favourite poems, anecdotes, risqué jokes and a rather ambitious attempt by the Commodore to lead community singing. I don’t think Gareth Malone has too much to worry about!!

The real highlights however were an excellent adaption by Dave Morris of John Masefield’s “Sea Fever” (see below) and the recital by Mike Taylor of “Tam 0 Shanter”. The latter was completed in under 6 minutes and was preceded by a striptease.
Who said that entertainment was dead?

With apologies to John Masefield...

I must go down to the sea again, I’ve got a Fray Bentos pie

And all I ask is an opener that works, and enough gas to cook her by;

The tiller kicks, and the dog’s sick, and a wife so cold she’s shaking,

And the feeling of dread that goes through my head when it feels like the mast is breaking.

I must go down to the sea again, she’s stolen all my possessions;

My best boat hook, my sunglasses, and a tape of the Beatle’s sessions.

And all I ask is for some self-respect, and not to be crestfallen

As someone walks past within a few yards when the keel is wedged on the Doirlinn.

I shall go down to the sea again, against my better judgement;

To the lee shore and the falling tide with an ever decreasing budget.

And all I ask is that when I get back and the cold sun is falling,

There’s no-one around to see my attempts to get back onto the mooring.