The topic for the December meeting was as usual the 2023 Photo competition.
The format of the meeting was slightly changed from previous years with the meeting being a combination of physical attendance at the RNA Welwyn Garden City and with some participants joining in via ZOOM.
It was a very well attended meeting with one of the highest in person attendance of the year, including guests from our sister organisation BOSG.
As part of the Christmas Meeting a raffle for the Commodore’s Charity was held that raised a £70 contribution to his 2023 fund..

The competition for best photo was, as usual, broken into six different Categories:-

1) Club People since the club was formed.
2) Seascapes
3) Artistic (with a nautical flavour)
4) Boats
5) Weather and Sunsets
6) Sailing Holiday

The meeting was hosted by Terry, all the photos were displayed both in the venue and on ZOOM for attendees to vote on with the results being announced after the last picture was shown.
Below is a summary of the photo completion for 2023, watch out for future calendars when some of these pictures will re-appear.

Club People Category
The entries for this category are all in this collage.

The winner of this category was George Whitchurch with his picture taken whilst racing.

George Says: about the winning photo
“A number of people asked me what dinghy I was in.
I was in one of six Blackwater S.C. owned identical R.S. Zest`s, which were used for the Cock of the River trophy at the end of the August 2023 Club Week of racing.
I had won the “Slow Handicap” cruiser series in a friends Hunter 19. But apart from the Fast cruiser class winner, I was up against the young dinghy class winners, a few of whom are world class! Although I came last in the final, I enjoyed the publicity and did not capsize!”

Seascapes Category
The entries for this category are all in this collage.
The winner of this category was Dave Arnold with his picture taken whilst on holiday.

Artistic Category
The entries for this category are all in this collage.

The winner of this category was Stewart Warren with his picture taken whilst sailing in Greece.

Boats Category
The entries for this category are all in this collage.
The winner of this category was John Robinson taking part in the competition via ZOOM with his picture of PS Waverley taken in the Solent.

Weather and Sunsets Holidays Category
The entries for this category are all in this collage.

The winner of this category was Paul Bragg with his picture taken whilst on holiday.

Sailing Holidays Category
The entries for this category are all in this collage.
The winner of this category was Lesley Stevens with her picture taken in Greece whilst on holiday. Terry picked up the prize on her behalf.