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THE GALLEON PROJECT

This year marks the 400 year anniversary of the Mayflower sailing to America, and Dartmouth, being one of the focal points of the pilgrim fathers journey, intends to play a part in the celebrations towards the end of this year. Circumstances have conspired to seriously affect planned events in the region and future ones are still to be decided upon.

The Old Dartmothians Association members were very keen to make a contribution to the local celebrations, by totally refurbishing and re-planting the wonderful galleon floral container, formally housed in the Royal Avenue Gardens. This wonderful piece of floral art was last seen in the gardens around about five years ago. It was originally commissioned in 2013 by the South Hams Council at a cost of £7,000, to form part of the floral commemorations, in the Royal Avenue Gardens, of the Royal Navy having a presence in the town for 150 years. Then in 2014 the galleon was a part of the entries that were awarded a record number of trophies in the Britain In Bloom contest, which in turn lead to an invitation for the town to enter the prestigeous Tatton Park 2015 Royal Horticultural Show, where it was influential in advertising our town to the wider world.

The GalleonPhoto courtesy of By The Dart

It is unclear when the galleon was removed from the gardens, but it has been kept in storage, awaiting a return in 2020 for the Mayflower 400, regrettably due to the covid-19 pandemic the association members are unable to restore the galleon due to social distancing and isolation. I'm sure that it will remain on the project to do list for the association at some future date, let's hope that this is not too far away.

CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE IN VIEW OF COVID-19

NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS:

As you may, or may not, know, one of the roles of the association's Almoner is to seek to be aware of any member who may be unwell and in need of help. In view of the current pandemic, it has been very difficult for me to fulfil the role by going out and visiting members. I have been in telephone conversation with several members over the past few weeks, but would like to make you aware that I am available to talk over your situation and hopefully provide some assistance.
You can do so either by email at (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or via telephone on (01803 832204 or 07901282428)
I would also like to send our best wishes for a full recovery to our Secretary Richard and his wife Wendy who are currently experiencing a period of illness.
Rob Waycott
Chairman & Almoner
6th April 2020

shipindockinnlogoThe Old Dartmothians' Association was founded in the Ship 'n' Dock Inn, on the Friday of Dartmouth Regatta in 1923, by four Dartmothians. Their intention was to form a fellowship of Dartmouth men over the age of eighteen, who would cherish their relationship with the town of Dartmouth, and could help to enhance the lives of the townsfolk, even though some of them may have moved away to live elsewhere.

So does that mean the association is only meant only for the elderly townsmen? Well the answer is most definitely NO! The word old has many meanings when used in particular contexts, and in this case we think that it was intended to be interpreted as "Denoting someone who formerly attended, or lived/lives in, a specified place. e.g. as in ‘an old Etonian’. and not someone who is aged.

CONTACT

If you are someone who would like to participate in helping to fulfil the aims of the association, then please read the information contained in the Membership  page. If you would like to drop in at one of the meetings and find out more, then you could attend one of the following meetings that are held at the Dartmouth Amateur Rowing Club, Sandquay Road, Dartmouth. TQ6 9PH. Meetings are held bi-monthly on the last Tuesday of the following months commencing at 7:30pm as follows, January, March, May, July (AGM) September, November. Also, any potential new member who would like to just have an informal meet and greet chat could join several of the present members who meet at the Royal Castle Hotel on a Friday morning from approximately 10.30 am. 

WELCOME TO THE NEW SITE FOR THE ODA
If you are an existing member of the Old Dartmothians' Association, and you happen to have some old photos of past events and projects, perhaps from during your time when you were a president. Then I would very much like to hear from you with a view to getting the details up on the site.
You can contact me (Nigel Punchard) via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.