100th Anniversary of the River Class Celebrated on Strangford Lough afloat.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from afloat.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
BYGONE BALMORALS: Mrs Lindsay Brooke opens show for her busy husband
The opening day of the 124th Balmoral Show in May 1991 was officially opened by Mrs Lindsay Brooke, the wife of Sir Peter Brooke, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Monday, 17th May 2021, 12:37 pm
Esther Wilson from Armagh with Bellringer Two, the champion Shorthorn at the Balmoral Show in May 1991. The cow was owned by Tommy Irwin of Fintona. Picture: News Letter/Farming Life archives
Mrs Brooke breezed in to the Department of Agriculture stand at 11.30am to present an award to Bangor’s Clandeboye Estate from the Royal Forestry Society, “which has branches all over the place,” quipped Geoff Hill, the News Letter’s correspondent at the show.
30th December 2020
John McVea, class captain of the now 100-year-old River Class which sails regularly at Strangford Lough Yacht Club, had been looking forward to a 2020 season of centenary celebrations. Covid 19 put paid to that, but one achievement which has materialised is the publication of a beautifully illustrated history of the class.
The fact that only 12 yachts were commissioned a century ago and that all 12 are still seaworthy is remarkable, a testament to both the boats and the many owners over the years. Sadly, not all have been launched this year due to the Covid restrictions. The fact that only 12 yachts were commissioned a century ago and that all 12 are still seaworthy is remarkable