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Gala event marks BEYC 40 Anniversary celebrations

March 1st, 2015 | Tags:
1975 to 2015: Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort celebrates 40th Anniversary. Photo: ishootbvi.com
Special guests take a photo for the historical record of Bitter End Yacht Club's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: ishootbvi.com
Special guests take a photo for the historical record of Bitter End Yacht Club's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: ishootbvi.com
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith and Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal OBE in the company of owners of Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort Mr Richard Hokins and Ms Lauren Hokins. Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith and Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal OBE in the company of owners of Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort Mr Richard Hokins and Ms Lauren Hokins. Photo: VINO
Chief Executive Officer of the BVI Health Services Authority Mrs Darlene A. Carty-Baptiste at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Chief Executive Officer of the BVI Health Services Authority Mrs Darlene A. Carty-Baptiste at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal OBE assisted by Dr. Carl Dawson on arrival at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal OBE assisted by Dr. Carl Dawson on arrival at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Some of the treats prepared for guests. Photo: VINO
Some of the treats prepared for guests. Photo: VINO
Guests celebrate with the owners, management and staff of Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Guests celebrate with the owners, management and staff of Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Part of the night's celebration. Photo: ishootbvi.com
Part of the night's celebration. Photo: ishootbvi.com
Part of the night's celebration. Photo: ishootbvi.com
Part of the night's celebration. Photo: ishootbvi.com
Among other special guests were Mrs Dancia Penn-Sallah QC and her husband Mr Captain Baboucar Sallah at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Among other special guests were Mrs Dancia Penn-Sallah QC and her husband Mr Captain Baboucar Sallah at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Part of the live entertainment at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Part of the live entertainment at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal and daughter at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal and daughter at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Part of the night's celebration. Photo: ishootbvi.com
Part of the night's celebration. Photo: ishootbvi.com
First Lady Mrs Lorna G. Smith among friends at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
First Lady Mrs Lorna G. Smith among friends at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Guests celebrate with the owners, management and staff of Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Guests celebrate with the owners, management and staff of Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Guests celebrate with the owners, management and staff of Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Guests celebrate with the owners, management and staff of Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Governor John S. Duncan and wife at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Governor John S. Duncan and wife at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Mrs Dancia Penn-Sallah QC and her husband Mr Captain Baboucar Sallah share a moment with Executive Managing Director Mr Mo Sallah and wife at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Mrs Dancia Penn-Sallah QC and her husband Mr Captain Baboucar Sallah share a moment with Executive Managing Director Mr Mo Sallah and wife at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Guests celebrate with the owners, management and staff of Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Guests celebrate with the owners, management and staff of Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
One of Virgin Gorda's Fire Department's staff with owner of the Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort, Mr Richard Hokins on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
One of Virgin Gorda's Fire Department's staff with owner of the Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort, Mr Richard Hokins on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Guests celebrate with the owners, management and staff of Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Guests celebrate with the owners, management and staff of Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort on Friday night February 27, 2015. Photo: VINO
Partying the night away at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: VINO
Partying the night away at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: VINO
Fire works lit the night's sky at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: VINO
Fire works lit the night's sky at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: VINO
The Lashing Dogs Band taking the night away with live entertainment at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: VINO
The Lashing Dogs Band taking the night away with live entertainment at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: VINO
Partying the night away at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: VINO
Partying the night away at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: VINO
Partying the night away at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: VINO
Partying the night away at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: VINO
Partying the night away at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: VINO
Partying the night away at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: VINO
Partying the night away at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: VINO
Partying the night away at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: VINO
Take it down to the floor, how low can you go! Photo: VINO
Take it down to the floor, how low can you go! Photo: VINO
Partying the night away at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: VINO
Partying the night away at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: VINO
Partying the night away at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: VINO
Partying the night away at Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Photo: VINO
NORTH SOUND, Virgin Gorda, VI – Fireworks lit the night skies, champagne glasses touched ends in the air and feet danced as Lashing Dogs sang lyrics of the golden years all in recognition of the 40th anniversary of one of the territory’s leading resorts, Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort.

This all took place at the resort on Friday February 27, 2015 when guests mingled with staff members old and new and everyone who knew of the resort's humble beginnings which dates back to 1975 gave their reflections.

The man recognized as one of the fathers of Virgin Gorda and one of the Territory’s longest serving politicians Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE (R9), took the reflections back to the early 1950s when the original owners of that section of Virgin Gorda were ardent farmers up until the time when they decided to pass the property on to someone else who would either carry on the farming legacy or use the land for some fruitful propose. Today that land is home to the Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort (BEYC).

Among the persons who were present to give well wishes on Friday night were Governor John S. Duncan OBE, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, and one of the owners of the resort Mr Richard Hokins.

Governor Duncan in his remarks said, “I was particularly interested to come and see what is going on at Bitter End and see the heritage and the vision of the people who founded this resort. [It was] environmentally friendly before it was [fashionable to be] environmentally friendly and green and continuing that vision, the way the family continued, that is really remarkable and I commend you very much for doing that.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering recalled visiting the resort for the first time in the late 1970s and like many today, he said at that time he tried to understand the concept behind that area being called Bitter End.

“I was hanging out with a fellow and we spent the day here (back in late 1970s) and where we were sitting on the dock there waiting for the boat and I looked down and I saw the sun beginning to go down, I said, now I understand it, I hate to leave this place and that is why they call it the Bitter End, because you really don’t want to leave,” said Hon Pickering.

He also spoke of the significance of the resort attaining the milestone of 40 years which he and others recognized as a new beginning, one which will see showers of blessings. “The Premier has outlined a vision for this country which I share and Governor, the people of this country are not lucky, they are tremendously blessed and a blessing is not something that you do something to inherit; it is given unto you. The critical component is what you do with that blessing,” said Hon Pickering.

One of the owners Mr Richard Hokins took time to reflect with pride on the humble beginnings of the resort even as he spoke highly of the key factor that is responsible for it being the number one in the Territory; their cherished staff members.

13 Responses to “Gala event marks BEYC 40 Anniversary celebrations”

  • egg face (01/03/2015, 11:00) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Uncle getting out in his golden age
  • virgin gorda (01/03/2015, 12:30) Like (17) Dislike (6) Reply
    LS better enjoy her last dance as First lady
  • shaw (01/03/2015, 12:59) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    nice dancing captain bob. I only wish that more boutique resorts take their cue from Bitter End-- it's size, architecture, spirit-- than the concrete glitz that has taken over north sound in general. Why can't more design details be taken from this kind of laid back and special place? congratulations for hanging onto something culturally diverse and fun.
  • ann (01/03/2015, 17:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Excellent night
  • Yah! (01/03/2015, 18:22) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    But do they understand and realize what they have or are they going to bend to the pressure of the mad trendy crowd.
  • VG (01/03/2015, 20:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Very well done Mrs Creque and the planning team. Little dix celebrated 50yrs and not even a shirt for the staff outta shame. Call the resort and give them some tips.
  • we thank you (02/03/2015, 07:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    thanks for this VINO the only news site that does off island coverage
  • relationship (02/03/2015, 07:53) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    Nice photos. Good coverage. I couldn't help but notice that the whites are on top on the balcony and the blacks are on the ground in the cover photo. I guess that is how they work any way.
  • Just Me (02/03/2015, 19:39) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    A great big thanks to the staff of the bitter end on a job well done. If u staff didn't work together event wont be successful.Thanks to the Executive Mr Denis, great job with your team.
  • fundation (03/03/2015, 08:02) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    @relationship don't bring color into this & if so see it like this. The reason the colored are below& whites on top is because the color is the Foundation /Groundation backbone of BEYC the one's that carries the weight & make things happen.


    However we move forward when we as humans decide to think mature and stop thinking like fools
  • whito (05/03/2015, 06:15) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    They are still on the plantation.


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