Progress #3, The End! (or is it a beginning?)
For the benefit on those that haven't been in yet...

Here are pictures of the completed project.
Click on any of the pictures for a larger image.
This is the third report of a series of three
for Report 1 click here
for Report 2 click here

The new opening into what used to be the underused passageway Changed a bit! And finally... what a difference.
How progress has come on since work started

You can see above the transformation that has been made from the initial pictures of the crumbliest, flakiest club bar in the world to the clean, smart new design.
Looking from the lounge doors Front view of the new bar From the lobby to the bar
The new bar has been built (I told you it was under that dust sheet!). It is fronted in beech the bar top is black granite. The glass washer is in the little alcove to the right of the bar as you look at it. You can see the red siren of the new fire alarm system on the wall to the right of the step.
You can see the LED lighting strip that is on the step from the lobby (lighting up the bottom of the door) there is another LED strip on the step towards the lounge doors too.

One of the outstanding new features is the backlit glass painting of Broadstairs Harbour behind the bar. It is certainly a talking point. Sincere thanks to Vicki Noble and Beth Stokes for making such a generous contribution. It looks amazing when the lights are dimmed. As soon as I get a better picture of it I will put it up here.

I think you will all agree that the whole rebuild really does look amazing. The comments heard from members who came into the club for the first time since work began in early January were: "Wow!", "Fantastic!", "Amazing!" and "Have I come to the right place?".

For those of you that cannot get to the Club in the near future, we have taken some pictures showing the changes, but these cannot adequately demonstrate the amazing transformation.

From the double doors to the lounge doors From the lobby to the bar
On Saturday 11th March, Richard Noble was invited to officially open the new bar, which had finally been completed after two months of hard work

What Richard didn’t know was that the bar was being dedicated to him. Steve Dyson, who is taking over the Bar Treasurer position from Richard this year, spoke about Richards committment to the club over the years.

Richard joined the club in 1951 and almost immediately joined the committee. He met Jean through the club and they were married in 1953. Apart from 3 or 4 years when his job took him to work in Tunbridge Wells, he has always remained on the committee. He has held various positions on the committee including Bar Treasurer for over 30 years and Commodore for 3 years. During his term as Commodore he steered the club through a particularly difficult period and had the foresight to back the plans for the club refurbishment.
This started with the refurbishment of the club kitchen, without which we could not have held the successful functions we have that contributed enormously to making more money for further refurbishments like the changing rooms, the wardroom and of course, the bar.

Richard was asked to unveil a brass plaque that commemorates his outstanding contribution and dedication to the Club since joining in 1951. Jean Noble was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Lots of members turned out to have a look Richard unveiling the plaque
Not only club members came to the opening, but many friends from the RTYC including their new Commodore, Davina Green. All were very impressed by the enlarged area, which is now much more open, fresh and light. The ability to extend the bar into the old entrance lobby, which has also received a much-needed face-lift, by opening the wide double doors, will certainly be a major advantage when larger functions are to be held.

Not everything is brand new: the picture of Harry Dipple has been returned to the bar, as has the old German submarine compass repeater. Did you know that it came from U-48, which ran aground on the Goodwin’s in 1917? The old navigation lights have also found a new place, as will the brass clock once it has been overhauled again.

Sincere thanks to all those who have worked on the new bar. The club members involved are listed below:

  • Plumbing and Project Management - Steve Dyson
  • Carpentry - Dave Adams
  • Electrical Installation (including fire alarm and sound system) - Adrian Trice
  • Outfitting, Painting and Decorating - Chris Wood
Others to thank: Ronnie Vaughan (carpeting), Vicki Noble and Beth Stokes (new artwork), those that helped decide on colours, finishes and materials, everyone that formed the work parties for clean ups, and finally, all of you that supported the events and the bar throughout the season to help us pay for it all!

Let's hope, that with continued support, we can finish the job and get the lounge redecorated before the end of the year.