Author Archives: MasterAdmin

October 2024 Meeting Thursday 17th October

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This was a talk in person  by Jeremy Batch. 
A synopsis of the presentation is given below.

Swinging, Spinning and Wobbling: pendulums, gyroscopes and Inertial
Navigation – a talk by Jeremy Batch

 
“I can dive off the eastern coast of the United States and surface again in the Mediterranean within five hundred yards of where I expect to be,” says Rock Hudson to Patrick McGoohan in Ice Station Zebra. We would take that for granted today, but how was it even imaginable in 1963 when Alistair Maclean wrote the book, and was the captain (or the author) exaggerating?
 
Our world is round (sort-of) and takes 24 hours (almost) to revolve. The roundness was
obvious to sailors for centuries, but the size of the sphere (if, indeed, it was a sphere) was a matter of guesswork and its rotation was once a dangerous heresy. The tilt, wobble and lumpy shape were all puzzling, but eventually undeniable.
 
We shall meet: Léon Foucault, demonstrating the Earth’s rotation with pendulums and gyroscopes which stay fixed relative to the universe; Hermann Anschütz-Kaempfe, using the rotation to align his gyrocompass, and Elmer Sperry (allegedly) copying his ideas; leading to Charles Stark Draper and his rivals developing inertial navigation for ships, submarines, missiles, aircraft, spacecraft and cars, allowing us to travel confidently to the Moon and across its surface and (more daringly) beneath the North Polar icecap and through the Limehouse Link tunnel.
 
And as the Royal Navy tests Birmingham University’s quantum inertial navigation system on XV Patrick Blackett, ready for when GPS says “0 satellites available”, should we be saving our pennies or polishing our sextants?
 

This was a well attended meeting and the audience look forward to seeing future presentations from Jeremy. We will try to book Jeremy for a future presentation in 2025.

Presentation of SOCA Donations to RNLI.

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This event was scheduled so we could celebrate that  March 2024 was both the 200th anniversary of RNLI’s  formation and the 40th anniversary of SOCA being formed. The planned presentation on the RNLI had to be delayed to another time due to the presenter being ill, (he has offered to conduct his presentation at a later time). However in its place SOCA held a RNLI themed evening for its September meeting, including showing some videos available on the RNLI website  and a few group quizzes,

The main part of the evening was a presentation of a cheque to the Chairman of the RNLI Hitchin & District Branch of the RNLI, John Pearce.
The majority of the £260 that was donated was from donations from individual members with a top up from the Commodore’s charity fund.
After the actual cheque, (rather than the one in the picture) was handed over John gave a quick speech to the audience highlighting the difficulties that the local branches of the RNLI have had in recent years with falling numbers of people able to organise events that can be used for collecting donations. He made a plea for anyone who is interested and can help to contact him. (pearcej53@virginmedia.com).

‘Whoever we are, wherever we are from, we are one crew, ready to save lives. We’re powered by passion, talent and kindness, like generations of selfless lifesavers before us“

Mark Dowie 200th anniversary interview
Audio of RNLI previous Chief Executive Mark Dowie speaking about the RNLI’s 200th anniversary.

This page on the RNLI Website is worth a visit

Various videos were shown during the meeting. If you click on the images below you should be taken to the Youtube website where the video can be seen

RNLI_200th_Timeline_Film
200 years in 200 seconds, a brief history of the RNLI.
A video from 1924 The 100th Anniversary of the RNLI
Saved by a motor life-boat – Film made to celebrate the RNLI’s centenary in 1924. Featuring Whitby and Staithes & Runswick lifeboat stations. Youtube version.

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The Tradition of the Lifeboat Service – a cinema appeal
Archive footage – from the 1940s? – of the RNLI service. Includes launch footage from the Mumbles down a slipway, and the Robert and Ellen Robson at Whitby being drawn through the streets

A simple Refresher Quiz on the RNLI which you should get 10/10 if you have visited the RNLI website

1. How many times were lifeboats launched in 2010?

  1. 223
  2. 3,223
  3. 9,223
  4. 17,223

2. RNLI crew members are all …….

  1. fishermen
  2. men
  3. very tall
  4. volunteers

3. How many crew members are there in the RNLI?

  1. Over 500
  2. Over 5,000
  3. Over 50,000
  4. Over 5 million

4. Where are the RNLI Headquarters located?

  1. Blackpool
  2. Goole
  3. Liverpool
  4. Poole

5. The RNLI was founded by Sir William Hillary in which year?

  1. 1724
  2. 1824
  3. 1924
  4. 2004
  1. What is the person in charge of the lifeboat at sea called?
  1. Boat Boss
  2. Captain
  3. Coxswain
  4. Mechanic
  1. The RNLI`s newest class of lifeboat is called what?
  1. Severn
  2. Shannon
  3. Trent
  4. Tyne
  1. How many lives has the RNLI saved since its foundation?
  1. Over 1,400
  2. Over 14,000
  3. Over 140,000
  4. Over 1,400,000
  1. The RNLI`s purpose is to do what?
  1. Paint boats orange
  2. Recruit volunteers
  3. Rescue people
  4. Save lives at sea
  1. The RNLI have how many lifeboat stations around the coast?
  1. Over 20
  2. Over 200
  3. Over 2,000
  4. Over 20,000

This quiz was written by  Mr Adrian Boyd from the RNLI.

Answers for those who need them are posted here.

Answers to RNLI Refresher Quiz

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1.(c) 9,223

2.(d) volunteers

3.(b) Over 5000 One eighth of the lifeboat crew members are women

4.(d)  Poole  Specialist training facilities include a wave and capsize pool, a fire simulator,
a bridge simulator and a live engineering workshop

5.(b) 1824   He witnessed the destruction of dozens of ships from his home on the Isle of Man and got involved in rescue attempts himself

6.(b) Coxswain

7.(b) Shannon  The 13.6 metre lifeboat has a range of 460 km and can reach 25 knots with a crew of 6

8.(d) Over 140,000

9.(d) Save lives at sea

10.(b) Over 200

East Coast Cruising In Company (CIC) August 2024

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Four yachts from the extended SOCA fleet meet up at Levington marina on the river Orwell in August 2024. This was the CIC event that was originally planned for late May but was rescheduled due to other commitments.

The yachts involved were  Honfleur, Missbehaving, Skylark and Just Fleur.

 

Honfleur under sail

Just Fleur on the river Orwell

 

 

 

The crews of all 4 yachts meet at Lightship Bar, home of the Haven Ports Yacht Club, where a nourishing meal and a few drinks helped to generate a very convivial atmosphere.

 

 

 

 

All crew members present were looking forward to the next time we can all sail together.

Message from Hitchin Branch of RNLI

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Message from Hitchin RNLI Facebook Page

“We are holding our annual RNLI Flag Day  in Hitchin Town Centre on
Saturday the 21st September from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm.

This is traditionally our biggest fundraising event of the year and this year will be extra special as we celebrate two hundred years since the founding of the RNLI.
We would really like to make this year special and as usual we shall have stalls in the Market Square selling a range of RNLI branded merchandise including our ever popular Christmas Cards, Diaries and Calendars as well as bric a brac.

We hope very much to see you there. This year we are hoping to place as many street collectors around the town as possible during the day and if you are able to spare an hour or longer holding a collection bucket please let us know your preferred time and I will put together a rota with full details closer to the time. If you prefer to help on a stall, please also let us know as we may have need of a little help during the day.”

If you wish to volunteer and help raise funds for the RNLI to help please get in touch with Phil Underhill, stating your availability (morning or afternoon), on 01462 436973 or at phillipj_underhill@yahoo.co.uk.

Thursday 25th July Dingy Sailing & BBQ

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In the summer holidays SOCA normally organise a BBQ at a members house. This year it has been decided that we would instead join the BBQ and dingy sailing event being organised by at Paxton Lakes Sailing  Club, see report from Peter below.

BBQ/ Dinghy Sailing.
Our BBQ & Dingy Sailing , Paxton Lakes Sailing Club, Thursday , 25 July, enjoyed good weather and with some wind for our sailors.Very good turnout with SOCA Members, BOSG Members, Members children and grandchildren.  Lovely evening.  Simon ( Bob’s son) did a great job getting boats ready & packed away, BBQ organised and all the admin –  thank you again Simon.

Peter Sackett Commodore BOSG 2024

!!!!! SOCA was FORTY on the 8th March 2024 !!!!!

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SOCA held a celebration lunch on Saturday the 13th of April 2024
to mark the 40th Anniversary of its inception.
The event was held at the  Cowper Arms which is close to Welwyn North railway station.

This also served as the 2024 Fitting Out Lunch.

Over 50% of the commodores from SOCA’s history attended.
A full list of all the Commodores over SOCA’s existence is shown in our History section

A selection of other pictures from the event is shown below.

SOCA Burgees available at special price of £45

Also on sale at the lunch, at a special price of £45, were SOCA burgees the ideal addition to your Starboard spreader. These are still available. Contact commodore@socasailing.org.uk  

Antarctica and the Falkland Islands

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The topic for the April meeting was titled Antarctica and the Falkland Islands. 
This was, a very informative and enjoyable presentation about a trip to Antarctica and the Falkland Islands,  the talk complemented Dave’s talk last year that was based on a visit to the other end of the earth In Search of the Northern Lights, will confirm. The presentation included some stunning photographs from the Southern Ocean. a couple of examples are shown below,

Antarctica and the Falkland Islands.

In February 2023, keen photographers Liz and Dave Arnold went on a cruise to Antarctica and the Falkland Islands.
With stunning landscapes, unique wildlife and historic locations, Dave will present the best from the voyage, together with information about the geography, and some of the major events and politics which have kept Antarctica in its pristine wilderness state.

SOCA 2024 Annual Review & AGM

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SOCA 2024 Annual Review & AGM was held on Thursday 14th March at RNA Welwyn Garden City

Andrew 2023-24 Commodore

Despite some technical issues (with sound quality) when we tried to conduct a joint, in person and ZOOM, meeting the club did eventually manage to successfully hod the 2024 AGM which again was a relaxed, social evening which gave the retiring Commodore, Andrew, the chance to look back at the past year and for the new Commodore to discuss plans for the next season.

 

Commodore’s Report

Various discussions took place between Committee members of SOCA and BOSG during the year. The outcome was that the existing BOSG members joined SOCA on mass as Country members.

Talks / Presentations in Previous Year

April :- Sailing in the Greek Islands 2022 The Sporades Flotilla
May :- The Wooden World’ – the inner life of the 18th century navy.
October:-   Honfleur returns to the EU.
November :-  Sailing into the Electronic Age
January:-  “Crossing the Biscay
February. Shrimper‘s East Coast Rally 2023

Social Events & Quiz Events

April SOCA Fitting Out Lunch
June, An informal drinks and chat at the RNA in Welwyn Garden City.
July. A walk followed by a meal at Stewart and Tanya’s.
August. Summer BBQ at Richard and Norma’s house.
September. Due to technical issues the planned presentation was moved to the October meeting. In its place the attendees held a social at the RNA.
November.  2023 Laying Up Lunch
December. SOCA 2023 Photo Competition

Sailing in Company

May Sailing Weekend (East Coast).
Spring Bank Holiday cruise held in conjunction with NOSCA on the East Coast with dinner at Walton and Frinton yacht club.
September Sailing Weekend (Solent).
This event was effectively cancelled due to bad weather. Two of SOCA’s south coast yachts ventured out but then returned to home ports without meeting up.

Links with BOSG & NOSCA

Gliding Event July 23 organised by BOSG
Website Link to NOSCA Newsletter
Attendance at Sailing events
BOSG members becoming Country members of SOCA.

Trophies

Astrolabe :- for members presentation to the club


Presented to Terry for his presentation
Sailing in the Greek Islands 2022
The Sporades Flotilla

Joseph Evanson Trophy :-  best log / navigation


Presented to Paul Bragg who gave a talk on “Crossing the Biscay“ a trip to Spain in July returning to France in August 2023.

 

Kelphil Bell :- for outstanding contribution to the club

 

Presented to Alex Nicholas for his outstanding contribution over 40 years of membership.




Commodore’s Cup :- Awarded at the discretion of the Commodore


Presented to Geff Briant for all the hard work in keeping the website up to date and topical.

 

 

The Commodore then ran the 2024 AGM, going through Apologies, 2023 Minutes, Treasurer’s Report, finalising with the election of new officers.

The new  Flag Officers for 2024  endorsed by the membership at the AGM.

Geff Briant elected as Commodore
Terry Branson as Vice Commodore
Stewart Warren as Rear Commodore

The meeting concluded with a reminder of upcoming events.
“Future Events”

Thursday 11th April. Dave Arnold will give a talk on his trip to the Southern Oceans including the Falklands.


Saturday the 13th of April 2024 SOCA will be holding a celebration lunch to mark the 40th Anniversary of its inception.

 

Thursday 16th May. Sailing in the Greek Islands 2023. A talk will be given by Terry with Stewart providing additional anecdotes. A talk that is bound to be enjoyable and humorous.

RNLI Hitchin & District Branch Events 2024

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RNLI Hitchin & District Branch Events Planned for 2024

Dear Supporter
 
I hope you have an enjoyable and relaxing Easter break. I am pleased to let you know that as the days grow longer (and hopefully warmer) we have arranged our first fundraising event of the year. Morrisons Supermarket in Letchworth have kindly allowed us to collect there on Saturday the 20th and Sunday the 21st April. In previous years the collection was indoors behind the tills and near the carpark entrance and I expect that this will be the case again this year.
 
If you are able to spare an hour or two to hold a bucket to help raise funds for our RNLI volunteers saving lives at sea on either day between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm would you please let me know your preferred date and times as early as possible. I will then draw up rotas for each day and circulate them to the volunteers with full details closer to the time.
 
Thank you as always  for your support
 

Best regards 

Phil Underhill 
Secretary Hitchin and District RNLI Branch

Phone: 01462 436973 

Mob: 07887 646011