UK Parliamentary Archives

• Held At: Parliamentary Archives: GB-061
• Catalogue Reference: BEN
• Ref No: BEN
• Date: 1953-2000
• Level: Fonds
• Extent: 1 File
• Creator Name: Bennett; Sir; Reginald (1911-2000)
• Administrative or Biographical History: The House of Commons Yacht Club was founded in 1950 by Sir Reginald Bennett MP who was also Vice-Commodore of the club. The club took part in a series of races organised by the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, Centre Island, Oyster Bay, New York, in Oyster Bay in Sep 1953. One of these races was the first six metre team race to be organised "Old World - New World" and in which Sir Reginald Bennett took part. In 1955, Sir Alfred Bossom MP and Admiral of the House of Commons Yacht Club created a cup called "The Alfred Bossom Challenge Cup" which involved both the House of Commons Yacht Club and the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club. The cup was designed to promote open design international yacht racing in the 6-metre class. It was presented to the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club as a gift by Sir Reginald Bennett. The Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club retained possession of the cup between matches and was responsible for bringing the cup to the next race. It was first presented for the second "Old World - New World" race in 1955 which took place at Bembridge, Isle of Wight. Other races entered include the Helsinki World Championship (1961) and the World Championship of the International 5.5 Metres Class in Poole Bay, Dorset (13-26 June 1962). After a quiet period, the race was revived in 1992 for the United States Championship in Nassau, Bahamas; it was also staged in Norway in 1993. The cup is still held by the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club today.
• Acquisition: The records were donated by Peter Viggers MP to Parliamentary Archives in December 2001. Accessioned on 16 Jan 2002; accession number 3983.
• Category: Personal/Political Papers
• Description: This collection consists of papers, press cuttings and photographs concerning the House of Commons Yacht Club and the Alfred Bossom Challenge Cup.
• Terms:
  • Politicians,
  • Sport,
• Language: English
• Access Status: Open
• Physical Description: Typescript and manuscript

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