Club History
The Beaumaris Book Society was formed in 1802 with their Headquarters in Ye Olde Bulls Head Hotel. The subscription for each member was 6d. per week, which sum “was to be applied to the purchase of books for the use of the members and such other incidental expenses as may be deemed necessary for the accommodation and entertainment of the Society.”
In 1826 the Society moved into No. 6 Green Edge, which had just been built, it became known as “The Beaumaris Newsroom.” A Billiard table was provided in 1859, but the members were not allowed to play on Sundays “the billiard balls and cues were to be locked up and the shutters closed,” but a fire was to be lit, so that members could retire there to smoke. The table was sold in 1950 to the Water Transport Company, R.A.S.C., Menai Bridge, so that a bar could be constructed in the room. The only relic left of the billiard room is the hole in the door, put there so that members coming in, could see whether a game was in progress or not.
The members played a prominent part in the Beaumaris Town Regatta of 1830, and in the organisation of the 1831 regatta which was cancelled on account of the wreck of the S. S. “Rothesay Castle” on the Dutchman Bank with the loss of 130 lives. From then on the Beaumaris Town Regatta became an annual event. The first Royal Anglesey Yacht Club Regatta was held in August 1910.
In 1885 a movement was set on foot to have the Society transformed into a Yacht Club. The change was brought about and on the 18th June 1885 the Marquis of Anglesey received a letter from the Home Office stating that “Her Majesty had been graciously pleased to accede to your request and to command that the Anglesey Yacht Club should be styled the Royal Anglesey Yacht Club”
The ensign was to be the blue ensign of Her Majesty’s fleet with a crown in the centre of the union - the burgee to be blue with the red dragon inset.
The first Commodore was Sir R.H. Williams-Bulkeley, who served from 1885 until his death in 1942. He was also Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron. On the 12th July 1894 His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales cruised down the Strait. Owners of yachts were invited to assemble for a “demonstration” A salute of 21 saluting rockets were fired from the Point as the yacht containing the royal party passed.
In 1902 a dinner to celebrate the Centenary of the foundling of the Club was held at the Bulkeley Arms, Beaumaris, and approximately thirty members attended. In 1985 a Ball to celebrate the Centenary of the granting of the Royal Warrant was held at the Menai Centre and two hundred and twenty members attended.
The club now has a small Conference/Function Suite which is available with or without catering and bar facilities.