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admin · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 9:19 am Post subject: Yacht in Leith Opinions?

Has anyone who served on the Yacht been up to see her in Scotland?
What did you think of what they have done to her?
We have seen a few photos of the various displays and it sems they are doing a good job of telling the sory of her life.
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Dan A · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 12:35 pm Post subject: Royal Yacht Britannia

I recently visted the Yot at Leith after attending a riotous wedding over the border.

For anyone who served in the Yot, the first impression is not good, however, it is understandable. Good news is that any members of the Association of Royal Yachtsmen can obtain free entry to the Yot on production of association membership card.

The displays in the visitor centre were very good with the Band having a good representation showing uniforms and an explanation of role. (Good to know after all these years... most bandies thought HM had arranged a private cruise for them as a reward for doing three Tournaments!)

Once onboard access is gained is gained by different entrances to the Yot from various floors of the visitor centre. (lift available), the tour takes in the major interesting areas and the tour guides will arrange to open up parts of the Yot to ARY members not open to members of the public. ( if you want to visit the JR heads or Fwrd Stokers Mess)
The tour takes in the POs mess and an entrance has been made through the bulkhead to the Royal Marines barracks. There is still plenty of stickers and names attached to lockers to verify our past presence. A set pf bunks has been removed to facilitate easy and safer transit through the mess other than that it remains the same as ever.

Bugler Spud Murphys bunk has gone..... probably to the Corps Museum as the most slept in bunk in the history of the Royal Navy!!!!In the forward end of the mess which was the usual sitting out area there still remains much to my delight the Silver Jubilee Boot Locker. This was constructed during the world cruise in 1977 by Mnes Daisy Adams and John Holden to provide a boot locker for the detachment. Its construction was observed daily by several very bored and pi$$ taking Bandies, who on completion promptly put their boots in it much to the anguish of the aforesaid booties. It was promptly fitted with a lock!!! The cupboards protrusion from beneath a locker left it with a shelf that the Band also used as a coffee table. This was also countered by John Holden by fitting angle bead to prevent any other use of the cupboard other than a boot locker... for the booties. How bored we were!!!!. I do recall one of the main protagonists was Pete Best.... who later did something useful in the Band Service!!! I digress.
The Engine Room remains superb and is viewed through a large window cut into the bulkhead.

The old girl looks her age and out of place. Dignity should have berthed her in Pompey where she steamed from on all those cruises and I suppose there may have been a likelihood of ex Yotiies working onboard with a more knowledge than the current maintenance team. It is its easy to pick fault with the condition of the Yot, however the fact remains, the current small team of workers cannot replace the 300 or so Yotties with mostly long term experience of the Yot who kept her so immaculate.

So if you served in the Yot remember her as she was entering harbour on Royal Duty somewhere exotic, cos it doesnt get any better than that.
If you never had the priviledge of serving in the Royal Yacht Band its worth a visit to see how the band lived, rehearsed and performed all aspects of the job at the highest level in what was often difficult and cramped conditions. Either way go and see for yourself I enjoyed the visit as it recalled another era and reminded of superb cruises around the world with great mates.

Dan Archer

admin · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 12:51 pm Post subject:

Many thanks for that superb account Dan.
I was taken on the 'Yot' once but do not remember leaving her!
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GeoffComber · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 6:27 pm Post subject: Hiya Dan !

Dan ! How are you ! Sorry to hear the old girl isn't looking any too hot. A colleague of mine (at my previous job) and her husband went up to visit her, about 6 years ago I think, and was absolutely gob-smacked to find out that their lowly service engineer had served on it ! (Not quite as suprised as I was to find out that one of the other lady's cousin is Dave Lambert) .I gather that they don't have the fold-away piano anymore , one day I shall have to visit. At least I can , 'cos Ive been shaving with the Ark Royal for years and years. Nice to see you're still going Dan.
Cheers !
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Dan A · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 7:21 pm Post subject: Yot

Hi Geoff... good to hear from you agin.... the famous cartoonist of the superb publication the Britannia Bugle.!!!!

No the piano cupboard was empty and no one appeared to know that it had ever existed.!!!!!!

Take care Geoff

Dan

GeoffComber · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 7:44 pm Post subject:

Funny you should remember the cartoons , guess who got into trouble for doing them in the RAF ? And is even now famous the length and breadth of our branch -line (Peterbprough to Liecester) for still doing them ? Fax machines are tremendous inventions........................and you do get a bit of time between trains !
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Gerry · On audition Joined: 07 Nov 2005 Posts: 1

Hello everybody.

I have just found this site and find the chat about the piano cupboard fasinating. I remember it well, and sometimes tell friends about the performance involved dragging it in and out. This is going back to the late 50's early60's.

I am still very active in the local music scene, playing trombone in 2 wind bands also accompanying guest singers on piano.

All the best,

Gerry Taylour RMBX 2742

booty2 · Guest

Did you see the article in this weeks Mail on Sunday: the "Yot" is losing money,(Suprise, Suprise)
the trustees now want to move her berth away from Lieth shopping area,

Lets bring her back to Pompey, gauranteed to be a winner finantial plus she will be looked after.

Steve RMBX/3320

bootybandy · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:35 pm Post subject:

Right on Steve. The Yachts spiritual home is, and always will be in Portsmouth. The sooner she get's back down south the better for all involved....Booty :o)
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LTCP123 · On audition Joined: 26 Jan 2006 Posts: 6

I only saw the yot once at Dartmouth Lord High Admirals Divisions It wa a very foggy morning at easter timme and must have been some where between 1979 and 80 .
But as the yot came in to the Dart the fog cleared as if by Royal appointment.
and all had a good day
cheers Lucien Priday

Brian Thorogood · Guest

Hi all
I was in the yacht band 1962- 1966 with the then Captain Paul Neville, this the better of all drafts I had and my wife did a suprise weekend birthday trip away to Edinburgh in 2004 she had also arrange a visit over the old girl, walking around her bought a lot of super memories back from my time on her, the band were a great bunch of guys , I did notice that there were a lot of neglected area's and I have always felt the old girl should be moored in Pompy, her home town.
I there is anyone out there who remembers me please contact for a chat.
Brian Thorogood RMB 3456

stick insect · Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:59 pm Post subject:

How old was the yacht before it retired?

Co-admin · Site Admin Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 1810

Just over 40 years

bootybandy · Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 11:06 pm Post subject:

With a Go Faster Stripe...
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lesbryan · Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 11:41 pm Post subject:

The royal yacht was launched on clydebank in 1953 so that makes her almost 53years old now

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