ANTIGUA YACHT CLUB

Antigua Yacht Club held its annual Christmas dinner last Saturday, December 18 downstairs at Cloggy’s Restaurant.  In anticipation of what is traditionally a great party, members and their guests showed up in great numbers with well over 100 people enjoying the delicious buffet Christmas dinner produced once again this year.

After enjoying a couple of drinks and mingling with friends, everyone finally sat down only to immediately be asked to stand for the National Anthem.  Having sat down again there was a brief introductory speech by Commodore, Elizabeth Jordan, followed by an even briefer speech by the Minister of Sport, the Hon. Senator Winston Williams, who wished everyone a Happy Christmas and a pleasant evening.

After dinner, 26 prizes donated by businesses around Antigua were raffled off to raise funds for the AYC Youth Program.  While some ticket-holders were fortunate enough to win more than one prize, considerable funds were raised to allow AYC to provide sailing instruction to local youths who may not otherwise be able to participate in the program.

Soon afterwards Itchy Feet took control of the microphone and started the night with gentle background music featuring steel pan in combination with the regular base guitar and keyboards.  While many members are getting used to hearing Itchy Feet on a regular basis around the island, this particular evening the band featured something more special than usual!

A casual encounter between Itchy Feet band leader, Paddy Prendergast, and 11-year old Rory Greenwood resulted in an invitation for Rory to warm up with the band early on the evening of the party.  Rory had told Paddy he was taking guitar lessons and had recently received a new electric guitar and he loved to play blues, so Paddy told him if he was good enough in the warm-up, he could perform on stage with Itchy Feet later that evening at the AYC party.  If he wasn’t good enough, he wouldn’t be able to perform.

Well, apparently Rory was good enough because he surprisingly appeared on stage with guitar hanging over his shoulder and was Mr. Cool appearing as though he performed every day, while Kenny sang his name over and over again and Rory put on a superb first performance with the rest of the band.  Those listening carefully were tremendously impressed.  And those not paying attention didn’t suddenly cover their ears and squirm in pain.

Rory, son of Clive Greenwood and Anna O’Brien, is a student at Island Academy who only recently began playing guitar.  It seems to have been the consensus of the party after his brief performance that he has plenty of talent and may even follow in the footsteps of his uncle, Edward O’Brien, a base guitarist of international fame!!

The remainder of the evening carried on as usual – friends, fun, plenty of wine and dancing the night away.  Yet another annual AYC Christmas party has come and gone, meaning it’s not long now until completion of the High Tide Series, the Nelson’s Pursuit Race and another party on New Year’s eve to bring in 2011 in style!!

Photos by Eve John.