Ayr Model Boat Club
History
Ayr Model Boat Club was formed on 10th March 1982 at Newton Park.
At the first meeting, which was held at the Northfield Bowling Club pavilion, there were 10 people present and the first committee was elected. Membership subscription was later fixed at £7 and for the time being during winter months gatherings took place at the Queens Hotel in Prestwick.
Monthly business meetings would be held on Friday evenings and in April 1982 the second and subsequent meetings were held at the Fisherman’s Mission in North Harbour Street, Ayr. This venue was noted for its hospitality (tea, coffee and biscuits) and it was a great loss to the club when the Mission suddenly closed in June 1990.
The next 3 meetings were held in the clubhouse before moving to the Hannah Institute for the next 2 years. It was not until 17th July 1992 that the clubhouse was to be used permanently for business meetings.
As time went by the club gradually took complete control of the building as the Parks Department evacuated their property to other locations or as in the case of the paddle boats ceased to operate them altogether.
Many improvements were carried out over the next few years by the members of the club to make the place more habitable for the purpose of a clubhouse and worthy of the title “The Newton Park Pavilion”.
The club started to make its presence felt in the area and was soon being invited to attend exhibitions and public events around Ayrshire.
A portable pond was constructed to take to these events, which enhances the club’s presentation and allows demonstration and recreational sailing by the members.
The club has progressed continuously since 1982, and looks forward with confidence to the future.
Ayr Model Boat Club 1982 - present
Ayr Model Boat Club’s predecessor was Ayr Model Yacht Club, which was founded in 1910 and whose last recorded meeting was in 1937.
Ayr Model Yacht Club 1910 - 1937
Ayr Model Yacht Sailing and Power Club was formed on 8th March 1910 at a public meeting held in the YMCA rooms, Hight Street, Ayr. Ayr Town Council had begun building a model yachting pond at Newton Park, and that had prompted the meeting which led to the formation of a yachting club.
The stated intention was “to start a Model yacht Club for the purpose of sailing and designing Model Yachts and Power-boats”
A Mr Dickie occupied the chair, Mr Williamson was appointed secretary, and Mr J Reid became treasurer.
Mr Russell was appointed as Measurer, a role which no longer exists but, given that this was an early item of business, that post was evidently significant in those competitive times.
At subsequent meetings, sailing rules were drawn up, and Rule cards were provided to each club member in return for their subscription (which the Accounts book suggest was 2s 6d for seniors and 1s 6d for Juniors).
Seeking competitors for the Inauguration Prize, the Club sought to invite members of the Glasgow Model Steamer Club to attend the opening day. There is also a reference to a club at Springburn, suggesting that Glasgow already had more than one yacht or model boat club by 1910.
Sadly familiar comments are recorded in the Minutes for that first Open Day “rain fell the whole time”. Not much changes, but in typically stoic style, the weather did not prevent the planned races being held.
By March 1912, records show there were 46 members (36 adults and 10 juveniles), with 53 yachts and 5 steamers taking part in competitions. The total number of entries in competitions the previous year was 194.
Accounts for 1912 show that the Club was paying a subscription to the Scottish Model Yacht Association.
The Clubs records also show the need for rules regulating appeals arising during races.
By 1916, participation had been reduced by the First World War.
In 1923, “The Most Honourable the Marchioness of Ailsa had gifted to the Club two books to form the nucleus of a library”, and a Club Librarian was appointed.
That same year, records show references to Kilmarnock M.Y.C. and to Alexandra M.Y.C., as well as to a Bloodhound Cup Race.
May 1927 saw a visit from a Mr Daniels, London, when, according to The Ayrshire Post of 13th May 1927 “he addressed an audience of model yachtsmen from Ayr, Kilmarnock and Glasgow, there being also present the secretary of the Scottish Model Yacht Association. After a plea for the unity of Great Britain to maintain our supremacy in model yachting, one of the few sports in which we have maintained the premier place in the world, he drew from his vast experience in yachting, both with large yachts and with models, to lecture on designing and building.”
1927 also saw the Club securing an SMYA Championship Flag when Mr MacDougall’s “Nancy Stair” carried off the trophy at Kilmarnock, in the 6 metre class.
By 1929, club membership stood at 18 Seniors and 3 Juniors. The Club also applied for affiliation to the Model Yacht Association.
In May of 1929, the Club accepted a lease on Castlehill Pond, sailing the remainder of the season at that venue. However, the AGM of October 1929 refers to the problem of weed at Castlehill, noting that “the sailing was severely interfered with”.
By 1930, the tenancy of the clubhouse at Newton Park had been given up. The AGM of November of 1930 refers again to the disruptive effects of weeds at Castlehill Pond, and there is a reference to trying to sail at Prestwick.
The AGM of March 1931 contains a reference to the Marquis of Ailsa “expressing his wishes for the success of the Club in their present difficult circumstances” together with a statement that “The position at Castlehill Pond was discussed and it was agreed that no sailing was likely to be possible there this season.” and enquiries about Prestwick Swimming Pond.
A General Meeting of the Club in October 1933 includes the statement that “there was little or no prospect of any sailing at Castlehill except in winter time and also that sailing at Newton Park Pond was now scarcely practicable and the secretary was instructed to write to Ayr Town Council asking them to consider the construction of a Model Yachting Pond at Belleisle”.
There were no further entries in the Minute book after that date.
The Accounts book contains brief entries for 1936 and 1937, but the 1937 entry concludes with the statement “Insurance Policy now allowed to lapse”.
Little is known of the history of the AMYC after 1937.
The club currently has around 40 fully paid up members.
