Trident 50th Birthday

The 50th anniversary of the launch of the first Trident was celebrated on Saturday 22 May 2010 with a  rally at the River Itchen shipyard in Southampton where most Tridents were built

Organisers report: The birthday bash was held as planned at Woolston on the River Itchen in Southampton Water. The venue was chosen especially as this was the building place of the Trident 24’s.

We were particularly pleased that the Trident’s designer, Alan Hill and builder, Eric White were able to attend as guests of honour together with their wives.

The weather was incredibly kind to us and over 50 people gathered at the Yacht Tavern for a very cheerful lunch, whilst at the same time three boats were moored at the old shipyard, now used by Lauren Marine for building Hunter Boats. My boat Hannah, Bob Doe’s Lottie, and Parma – a Southerly 28 belonging to Chris and Jill Lock (ex owners of Swallow, but remain keen supporters). During lunch there was great news – another three Tridents had come up river and were berthed at the yard pontoons – Mary Reeve of Hamble crewed by Alan Beattie and Julian Dunicliffe (co-owners), Swallow sailed by the Jackson family, andPanope with Doug Lyon over from Hythe. So we now had five Tridents and the Southerly!

Our Commodore, Lou Milstead Williams gave a short address which was well received. It was great to see both him and Margaret, especially as he was missing the one race that he hasn’t won yet in Trident (No1). At least that is what he says! Incidentally thanks for the tie Lou. When I was an apprentice Lou was on my first ship way back in 1968 – he got a tie and I didn’t.

The enthusiasm shown for the Trident was so infectious and a common comment overheard was “I never thought about doing it that way. What a good idea!” Everybody seems to put their own slant on so many little things especially within the accommodation.

Enthusiasts seem to have travelled in from many different areas of the UK but Dave Edwards the owner of Vagabond must get the prize for his effort of flying down from Tyne and Wear in the morning only to return in the evening for work the next day. It was great to see you Dave. Five people also travelled over from Wales.

Later on in the afternoon most of us adjourned to the yard itself where a Trident birthday cake was cut by Alan Hill. A Bar-B-Q in the evening ended an excellent and enjoyable day.

Thanks to everyone who made it – it really was a happy event and one which I would love to repeat.

Jack Miller
South Coast Representative
(Hannah No 222)

 

On the East Coast the Trident’s 50th Birthday was celebrated (with another cake!) at the annual Laying-up Supper in Chelmsford on Saturday 30 October 2010

Forty-one past and present members of the Trident Owners Association celebrated the Trident 24’s 50th anniversary at the annual East Coast Laying-up Supper in Chelmsford, Essex (click the cake for pictures!)

Marian Quantrell, retiring Commodore of the TOA says,”This popular East Coast event is organised by Doug Waller, and what a fabulous job he did rallying past members to join us as well. Sadly, after all his efforts, Doug was unable to join us as he had been taken poorly a few days before but luckily Shirley Waller, accompanied by their son, was able to make it. An excellent 3 course dinner was served and we finished with a very appropriately styled celebration cake, again organised by Doug.”

“It was the perfect occasion for the newly designed TOA tie to be introduced, my husband Dave being the model. In fact he made such a good job of it 8 ties were sold that evening. The newly designed tie was thoroughly approved so a thank you must go to Chris Tabor for his efforts on getting them.”

See more photographs here.