This month saw Walcon Marine, the world-renowned UK company specializing in the design and construction of yacht harbours as well as berthing facilities, host an evening of entertainment to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the company. Taken place at Southampton’s Aegeas Bowl, the event was attended by more than 230 staff, clients and friends of the company, from its earliest days right up to the present.

Walcon celebrating 50 Years

Held on a perfect summer’s evening, the event combined a black-tie reception and sit-down dinner with dancing afterwards to local band Harry Hammersmith and the Flyovers. In his speech founder Robin Walters thanked all those who had contributed to Walcon becoming the success that it is today and went on to claim that the company had in fact been founded by accident, before describing how it installed the UK’s first marina at Port Hamble and the ethos that underlies its growth and longevity.

Current managing director James Walters also gave a short speech in which he talked about Walcon today and its prospects for the future. Guest speaker Sir Robin Knox-Johnston took the stand to pay tribute to Walcon’s first fifty years and lastly a message was read out from Sir Ben Ainslie, currently in San Francisco where he is immersed in the America’s Cup, in which he said, “I wish Robin Walters and Walcon all the best on celebrating 50 years in the marine industry…it’s a fantastic achievement to be going so strong after all these years.”

Comments from the guests after the event included,”the evening couldn’t have gone any better. The setting, the weather and the food, but most importantly, the company all made for a first class evening.” Others commented on the “wonderful atmosphere” and the “family feel” of the occasion.

“It was a most memorable evening,” added James Walters, “and a great pleasure to welcome so many old friends to a celebration of our first fifty years. Our thanks go to all those who worked to make it such a success.”