Wirral sailing club welcomes King of Norway as new member

Aug 26 2009 by Liam Murphy, Bromborough and Bebington News

HIDDEN away between an oil terminal and a bypass in Rock Ferry, one of England’s oldest sailing clubs has welcomed a new member – the King of Norway.

HM King Harald V of Norway has accepted an Honorary Life Membership of the Royal Mersey Yacht Club (RMYC) after being invited by the club’s former commodore Dr Nicholas Jedynakiewicz.

Well known as a passionate yachtsman, in earlier years His Majesty was three times a member of the Norwegian Olympic team.

In 2008 his yacht “Sira”, which was built for his father King Olav V, celebrated first place in the eight metre class in the World Championship of traditional sailing.

King Harald’s membership was recently approved by the club’s committee and David Massey, the new Commodore, said: “We are delighted that His Majesty has accepted Honorary Life Membership of this historic Mersey club.”

The Norwegian king is not the first royal to have a connection with the club, which was set up in 1844.

Months after it was created Queen Victoria became the club’s first patron and the RMYC has maintained links throughout its history with the British Royal family.

And the present patron is HRH The Duke of Edinburgh who visited the club in May 2008. In March this year the Duke received Dr Nicholas Jedynakiewicz at Buckingham Palace.

The private reception in the palace apartments was to allow Dr Jedynakiewicz to introduce the new Commodore Mr Massey.

The club was founded as the Mersey Yacht Club at a meeting held in the Mersey Hotel, Old Church Yard, Liverpool, on July 26, 1844.

In 1900 the club had to leave its premises at 9 Mersey Street due to the expansion of Cammell Laird.

The present premises at 8-10 Bedford Road, Rock Ferry, were purchased in 1901, and the existing pair of semi-detached houses were speedily converted and the clubhouse opened on May 31, 1901.

This club house is a few yards from the jetty that is used by the club for access to the river.

Although it has an illustrious history the club remains active and arranges more than 50 races a season.