Today, the “Sea Pie Supper” is undoubtedly the most prestigious event in the social calendar of The Southampton Master Mariners’ Club, with club member and their guests, in evening attire or dress uniforms adorned with decorations, sitting down to wine and dine in glittering surroundings as they are entertained by police or military musicians prior to being addressed by “a personality” and then indulging in the boisterous rendition of sea shanties – but it was not ALWAYS thus.
A Club historian records that the term “Sea Pie” was accorded to a weekly gastronomic delight aboard cargo vessels comprising the “left over” scraps of meat, vegetables, and fish from the meals prepared over the previous six days and that “it was greeted with much keen anticipation by the ship’s company”. It was prepared in layers and in abundance. Suffice to say that although today’s “Sea Pie” fare has come a long way its origins are still recognisable!
Since its inception in 1928 the Club has always endeavoured to stage a mixture of formal and relatively informal events annually and, in the early years, the Sea Pie Supper fell into the latter category. The most sedate occasion was the formal Annual Luncheon, held initially in the South Western Hotel and later aboard one of the many liners that graced the Port of Southampton in that era and the guest speakers included Royalty, Admirals of the Fleet, a former Speaker of The House of Commons and men highly prominent in the world of shipping nationally and locally.
The annual Sea Pie Supper was, for many years, held in the South Western Hotel (and later the Polygon Hotel before its popularity dictated an increase in the seating capacity necessitating a move to the Guildhall) and Club members and their male guests dressed informally (“sports coat and flannels”) and the entertainment comprised singers “sprightly cabaret artists and entertaining after dinner speakers”. Beer was the preferred tipple.
The first Annual Luncheon was held in 1929 (where the guest of honour was Admiral of the Fleet, Earl Jellicoe of Scapa) and the first Sea Pie Supper was held in 1931 where the guest speaker was Mr. M.G.H McHaffie, Project Manager for the construction of the new Western Docks.
Thereafter, records of the event are few and far between until 1951 when it is recorded that at the event in the Polygon Hotel the guest speaker was Commander S.E.Baretto, Peruvian Navy and the after dinner entertainment was provided by B.C.Hilliam (“Flotsam” of “Flotsam and Jetsam” fame) and a Mr. Harry Riley who presented “Cartoons”. Inevitably, the singing of Sea Shanties rounded off the evening.
The event continued to be staged at The Polygon until 1977 when it moved to the Guildhall and the dress code became “Black tie or Mess Undress”. The guest speaker on that occasion was Admiral Sir Terence Lewin, the entertainment was provided by the band from HMS Collingwood and by Club member Barry Swindells and his banjo. A ticket cost £4.00.
Throughout, lady guests were not welcome but lady entertainers were and, for some ten years from 1964 the members were entertained by a local troupe called “The Vera Noyce Singers”. The group comprised ladies “of a certain age” and they were great favourites with club members and their male guests. In 1967 it had been decided to invite the Mayor of Southampton to the 1968 event but, horror of horrors, the new Mayor (elected after the decision was taken) was a woman –Mrs. Kathy Johnston.
Not to be outdone the Club promptly cancelled the invitation and invited the Town Clerk, Mr. A N Schofield and the night proceeded as planned. At the end of the evening, in keeping with tradition the Boatsteerer (Captain Percy Cooper) proposed a toast to the “Vera Noyce Party” and, at that stage, a party member stepped forward, removed her shawl and revealed one Mrs. Kathy Johnston, Mayor of Southampton in all her regalia. The entire assembly stood and cheered and within a few years ladies were welcomed at the event by most, if not all, Club members.
The Entertainment Committee has always sought to update and improve the facilities offered to those attending this popular function and, in 2010, the traditional long supper tables accommodating 24 diners were replaced with smaller round tables seating ten. Understandably, given the economic situation globally and nationally, the attendance at the 2011 was very slightly down on previous years but our guest of honour (and favourite Stowaway member!) Dame Mary Fagan (Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire) was given a warm welcome. The City of Southampton (Albion) Band provided the entertainment and, yet again, the evening ended with a raucous rendition of Sea Shanties
Another change is afoot and, in 2012, the Sea Pie Supper will be held at the City Cruise Terminal on Friday 3rd February. Catering will be undertaken by “Halo” who is based at Southampton Football Club. We have moved venues but will retain the “Sea Pie” and the traditional approach to the evening.
On offer is a more comfortable and superior environment. The pre-dinner bars will be situated in the reception hall as you enter the terminal giving ample room to circulate and meet friends before being seated for dinner. Service will continue throughout the evening with at seat drink orders, an improved wine list which will be available both for pre order and during the dinner. I am sure many will be pleased to see draught beers return to the bars.
The City Cruise Terminal has ample car parking and easy dropping off and picking up facilities. The De Vere and Holiday Inn hotels being just a short walk away and a host of other hotels within the immediate vicinity offering a wide choice for those wishing to stay overnight.
Further information on the venue, including a map and directions, can be found on the following web sites: www.destinationsouthampton.com/venue_city_cruise_terminal.htm or at: www.cruise-southampton.co.uk/southampton_city_cruise_terminal_cruise-southampton.htm
We are looking forward to the relaunched supper and due to the demand tickets will go on sale from Thursday, 3rd November at a cost of £50 per ticket. Tickets are available for sale to Members only. Tables, as in previous years, seat up to ten persons. We have had an early response from people wanting to purchase tickets so get there early to guarantee your place.Ticket sales (mid December) are already in excess of the total for last year.
Further details, including news of special rates on offer from the De Vere and Holiday Inn, can be found under Cachalots Deck/Forthcoming Events/Sea Pie Supper 2012.