Category Archives: Training

SOCA 2025 AGM

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SOCA 2025 Annual Review & AGM was held on Thursday 13th March at RNA Welwyn Garden City

The 2025 AGM was held on Thursday 13th March. The meeting was held at the RNA club WGC in addition it was also streamed as  a ZOOM meeting for those members who couldn’t attend in person. The technical issues that we have on earlier meetings seemed, in the main, to be overcome and the whole session run very smoothly. This gave the retiring Commodore, Geff, the chance to look back at the past year and for the new Commodore to discuss plans for the next season.

Commodore’s Report

Commodore aboard Mutual Friend
Past Commodore’s

Talks and Presentations.

April :- Dave Arnold gave a very interesting talk titled Antarctica and the Falkland Islands
which was  based on his trip in February 2023 to the Southern Oceans.
May :-Sailing in the Greek Islands 2023. A talk was given by Terry with Stewart which contained many amusing anecdotes. A talk that was enjoyable and humorous with many stunning photographs. The meeting was well attended both in person and on ZOOM.
September:–  The planned presentation had to be delayed to another time due to illness.
However in its place SOCA held a RNLI themed evening with videos and quizzes.
The SOCA Commodore also made a donations to the Hitchin & District branch of the RNLI
October :- Swinging, Spinning and Wobbling: pendulums, gyroscopes and Inertial Navigation 
A well attended meeting at the RNA W.G. City where Jeremy Batch presented in person.
November :- Topic was a presentation on the steam tug CHALLENGE which is the last surviving example of a large purpose-built, Thames ship-handling steam tug, where she was based for her entire working life.
January :- Sailing adventure in Patagonia.
From Puerto Montt to Puerto Williams and around Cape Horn. Three months in an incredible place to sail. Dolphins and Penguins followed them on their trip.
February :- Exploring the Rivers of Western France.
Paul Bragg discussed some of the exciting adventures that he & Elaine have had navigating the rivers of Western France, in their Island Packet 380 sailing boat, Jennie B

Social Events, Quiz Events and Training

April 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. The event was very well supported with numerous ex Commodores in attendance.
June, As is usual in the sailing season many members were away sailing taking advantage of the good weather. Therefore, an informal drinks and chat was held at the RNA in Welwyn Garden City.
July. Due to most members being on holiday or boating an informal get together was held at the RNA in Welwyn Garden City in place of the normal meeting.
July. BBQ/ Dinghy Sailing. A BBQ & Dingy Sailing event was held at Paxton Lakes Sailing Club. A very good turnout with SOCA Members & BOSG Members enjoying good weather and with some wind for the sailors.
July. A total of 18 persons took to the skies on a Glider Experience event.  Very Good flying conditions and it was getting dark before the planes were put away.  A very successful evening.
August. A social event was held at the RNA in W G City. where future events was discussed.
November. SOCA held its Laying Up Lunch at the Cowper Arms in Welwyn North.
November. BOSG Laying Up & Christmas Lunch at the Prince of Wales Bedford.
December. SOCA 2024 Photo Competition The annual nautical themed SOCA photo contest which included a pre-Christmas social, a Commodore’s fund raffle plus RNLI fund raising with Merchandise sales and donations. The best photos from this event will be in the 2026 SOCA calendar.
February. RYA First Aid Course run by  Ashley Cato Barton Turf Adventure Centre

Sailing in Company

May Sailing Weekend (East Coast). This was rearranged to later in the year {August}.
June Honfleur and Mutual Friend meet up at Ipswich.
August. AUGUST Cruising In Company (CIC) Sailing Weekend (East Coast).  
4 Yachts joined each other at Levington for a weekend of sailing in company.
September Sailing Weekend (Solent). Not officially organised during 2024.
October Broads Sailing Weekend organised by BOSG members.
October SOCA members sailing in the South Ionian Island.

Trophies

Astrolabe :- for members presentation to the club

Awarded to Paul for his presentation “Exploring the Rivers of Western France”  and for organising the excellent talk “Around The Horn” by Judith Jacobsen.
Unfortunately Paul could not attend so he will be presented with it at a later date.

Joseph Evanson Trophy :-  best log / navigation

 

Awarded to Alex Nicholas for his trip to Ostend (and back) in the company of other SOCA members.

 

Kelphil Bell :- for outstanding contribution to  the club

Awarded to Dave Arnold for his outstanding contributions over many years of membership. His talk on trip to the Southern Oceans including Antarctica and Falkland Islands, is an example of the numerous talks he has given to the club. He also always has inspiring
photos for the calendar and has had many years of service on the committee.
Unfortunately Dave could not attend so he will be presented with it at a later date.


Belaying Pin :- For notable contribution at a sailing event

This is an On the Water trophy awarded to a boat rather than a member. It has not been presented for a number of years however the committee decided to reinstigate the award this year and awarded the Belaying Pin to Just Fleur – (Bob Leonard) for Stalwart participation and comradeship at the Summer East Coast Cruise 2024.

 

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

Awarded to Peter Sackett for his outstanding efforts in amalgamating SOCA and BOSG. Unfortunately Peter could not attend so he will be presented with it at a later date.

 

 

The outgoing Commodore (2024/2025) confirmed his Charity Choices for his year were the RNLI and Grafham WaterSailability.

2025 AGM Proceedings

The new Commodore then ran the 2025 AGM, going through Apologies, 2024 Minutes, Treasurer’s Report, finalising with the election of new officers.
His last action as SOCA Commodore was to thank all his fellow officers and committee members for their work during the year and for the presenters and organisers of events that made his year as Commodore during the 40 year anniversary an enjoyable experience.

 

The Commodore then stood down and handed over proceedings to Andrew (President) who conducted the appointment of the new Commodore.

 

 

The new  Flag Officers for 2025/2026 were then endorsed by the membership at the AGM.

Terry Branson elected as Commodore
Stewart Warren as Vice Commodore
Paul Comley as Rear Commodore

Left to Right Paul, (Rear Commodore), Stewart (Vice Commodore) and Terry (Commodore 2025-2026)

The new Commodore then addressed the meeting and informed the meeting of his chosen charity.  National Coastwatch Institution.

NCI watchkeepers provide the eyes and ears along the coast, monitoring radio channels and providing a listening watch in poor visibility. When people find themselves in trouble, they are there to alert HM Coastguard and direct the appropriate rescue services to the casualty.

High technology and sophisticated systems such as radar and telecommunications have vastly improved safety at sea, but there is no substitute for a watchful pair of eyes. Accidents do happen and a computer or technology cannot spot a distress flare, an overturned boat, a yacht with problems or children or adults in trouble. That is why their lookouts and watchkeepers are an often-unseen lifeline to all those who use our coastal waters, footpaths and coastline.

HISTORY

In 1994 when two fishermen lost their lives off the Cornish coast near a recently closed Coastguard lookout, local people decided to open and restore the visual watch. When the first station was opened at Bass Point on the Lizard, NCI was born. Today, 2,800 trained volunteer watchkeepers at 60+ stations keep a visual and listening watch around the coastline of England and Wales. 

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

Saturday 29th March Fitting Out Lunch at Cowper Arms.
The 2025 Fitting Out Lunch will be held at the Cowper Arms next to Welwyn North Railway Station. Please let the Commodore know if you are attending by
Friday 21st March with meal choice.
See SOCA 2025 Fitting Out Lunch for details

Thursday 10th April. Sailing in the Greek Islands 2024.
A talk is intended that will tell the story of a group of SOCA members who enjoyed a Greek Flotilla holiday to the South Ionian Islands in October 2024.

The meeting then concluded.

First Aid Training at Stanborough.

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Message to SOCA Members
“Hello Soca & Friends
I’m running two Royal Yachting Association (RYA) First Aid Courses at Stanborough Park, Welwyn Garden City for Better Leisure Sunday 5th November and Sunday 3rd December.  
See Better website, (link below) for costs and booking details.
Barry”

 

Barton Turf Adventure Centre

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 A Talk on the BTAC was given by Ashley at the October meeting.



Ashley gave a talk on the work of the Barton Turf Adventure Centre.
This is the charity chosen by the current and previous Commodores.




Dee and Debs presented Ashley with a donation of £350 at the meeting.This being the proceeds of their charity fund for 2020 and 2021.
See story below

BARTON TURF ADVENTURE CENTRE – A SHORT HISTORY

The story starts in the 1950’s, when the Director of Education for Hertfordshire recognised the value of outdoor activities and took groups of school children to Barton Turf during the school holidays to sail on Barton Broad.  The campsite was a field rented form a local farmer and the young people had to set up the camp, including the camp kitchen around the fire pit, dig latrines and rig and launch boats.

In the 1970’s Hertfordshire decided to make the Centre more permanent and purchased the current site from Cox’s Boatyard and the Farmer, rumour has it that this was done via a compulsory purchase order!

The Centre was developed over several years, mainly by volunteers.  Buildings are mostly redundant prefabricated school classrooms from Hertfordshire schools which were dismantled, transported and erected on the site.  The marshland was dug out to provide jetties to moor the boats (Staithes in Norfolk) and the moorings.
Eventually, a Head of Centre was appointed, and wages paid by HCC, in line with the other outdoor Centres being developed by HCC.  Schools were encouraged to use the Centre, for Sailing during the summer months and Geography Field trips at other times.

In 2003 a reorganisation of the Outdoor Centres was undertaken, at this time HCC had, I believe, 5 outdoor centres, one in Norfolk, one in Snowdonia and 3 in Hertfordshire. The review recommended that this was reduced to one centre in Hertfordshire, the centre at Barton and two in Hertfordshire to be disposed of.  A campaign was started by the Hertfordshire Sailing and Canoeing Association to save Barton Turf.  This was also supported by several councillors who refused to close the Centre and tasked their officers with finding a way to keep it open, at no cost to HCC.

The operation of the Centre was put out to tender. The Council Officers served the staff with redundancy notices and shut the Centre before the tender process was complete. BTAC-Services won the tender and were granted a 25-year lease.  Unfortunately, this process took approximately 18 months and the lease was not agreed until mid-way through July 2005, too late for most bookings that year.

BTAC has been building up the Centre, both in terms of the activities offered, facilities and services provided for groups since taking on the Centre, although the main activity is still sailing. Boats have been improved and renewed and additional craft have been purchased. Canoeing and Powerboating have been added as additional on water activities.

The accommodation on site is in tents, these have been repaired and replaced as needed and each tent is on a concrete base with 4 beds and mattresses in each. In the past groups using the Centre have had to self-cater, BTAC is able to offer a full catering service for groups who prefer this.

Additional activities such as environmental studies can be offered, as well as teambuilding and conservation. 

The latest project is to provide a drying room for clients, which is currently underway, and they are seeking funds to fit this out, for a dehumidifier so that clients can dry wet clothing overnight.  The estimated cost for this is £750 to £1000. 
The Donation from SOCA will go towards this purchase

Who they are & what they do

Barton Turf Adventure Centre (BTAC) is a 7-acre private campsite and sailing school originally established for Hertfordshire schools’ use. Now run by Di Smith, Ashley Cato and Sheila Fishwick, its activities are open to everybody, but especially schools and youth groups.
They offer tuition for a range of adventurous (chiefly watersports) and environmental activities using Barton Broad and the 14-acre private nature reserve. The Centre has its own slipway into an arm of Barton Broad, and can launch and recover boats of up to about 6m in length, 2m beam, 0.5m draught (keels up). Wider boats have to be manhandled over the side of the quay, or launched through Cox’s Boatyard (for a fee). Boats may be moored overnight.
The camping facilities are open only to schools and other organised clubs and groups, and (subject to availability) to those booked on multi-day courses at the Centre. They have 11 permanent tents sleeping four each (in beds! but you need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow).

Barton Broad is the second largest of the Norfolk Broads and arguably the best for sailing.
It has been subject to substantial improvement project recently undertaken by the Broads Authority aimed at restoring the silted broad to clear water. The project on the whole has been a success and Barton Broad is once again a real boating paradise.
The Broad is home to numerous wildlife, including many species of birds, fish and even otters who have returned to the Broad. The edge of the Broad is all nature reserve, and much of it is fenced off to provide fish-free areas where microlife can breed without being eaten. The Broad lies across the River Ant, and there is a certain amount of pleasureboat traffic moving through it. The Broad is about 2m deep at most. Power boats are subject to a 5mph speed limit.

SOCA August Committee Meeting (Plus Two Anniversaries in 2024)

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The August 2022 SOCA Committee meeting was held on Thursday 18th August at the RNA in Welwyn Garden City.
Despite it being the peak holiday season it was a very well attended meeting with only one apology received.

SOCA Committee Meeting August 2022

All members commented that it was good to see the Commodore, Alex, in good health after his recent hip operation.

The committee discussed various topics including new requirements from our bank to stop money laundering??, the future programme of presentations and events, potential training, items for the website, and how to attract new members, plus general chit chat on sailing related topics. One of the new items on the agenda was two significant upcoming events in 2024.

2024 will mark the RNLI’s 200th birthday. It will also mark SOCA’S 40th anniversary.

Credit to RNLI

If you have any thoughts on anything to do with the running of SOCA especially on future events/presentations, training requirements or increasing the membership plus if you have any ideas or information or anecdotes on SOCA in the last 40 years the committee would like to hear your thoughts.

Please contact  us using the email: commodore@socasailing.org.uk with your suggestion.

Fish & Chip Night June 2022

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The June meeting was held at the Royal Naval Association Welwyn Garden City.
The format was a Fish and Chip Supper, provisioned from Peartree Chippee.
 

The Fish and Chips were very good with plentiful supplies of chips  and Mushy Peas (e.g. Too Much),

The meal was followed by a group quiz organised by Stewart, which involved the ensemble trying to identify the vessel from the displayed lights.
General outcome, is everyone knows what Starboard and Port lights are, but in identifying the actual craft when it was large, towing, dredging, trawling or mine sweeping, the general consensus seemed to be the MORE lights = Stay further away !!!

A case of a lot of revising required before most of the audience try night sailing again!!!
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Jetstream on Shakedown Trial.

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Rear Commodore’s SOCA Pennant flies on Jetstream for the first time in 2022.

Terry, with the help of Geff, completed the task of preparing Jetstream for the 2022 sailing season on Wednesday 14th April and then completed a shakedown trial in the Solent.
Arriving early Tuesday evening the opportunity was taken to install the Genoa as the conditions were perfect for that activity, no wind. Once completed it was time for a nice evening meal at the adjacent Tapas restaurant.


After a quick breakfast on Wednesday it was time to put up the mainsail, again it was possible to do this in the berth as there was little to no wind. Once all reefing lines were installed that just left the canopy to fit and Jetstream was ready to take to the waves.


Leaving at close to high tide through the Port Solent lock gates we entered the upper reaches of Portsmouth Harbour.

After motoring for a while, the time was right to test that the main sail had been rigged correctly, the only item needing attention was rerouting the reefing lines.
There was a bit of excitement before this could be completed provided by two Police Boats and the “SBS” in a rib as they continually practised the boarding of another ship on the move, all armed with machine guns, (assumed to be empty!).

Once the entertainment was finished and the reefing lines sorted, Jetstream left the harbour confines, and it was time to sail.

The wind was a pleasant Force 2/3 with light gusts and the sun shone brightly through a clear sky, sun lotion should have been used.

Jetstream sailed over to near Bembridge then returned to Port Solent, passing 2 unusual craft on the way back, HMS Severn P282, believed to have been recently assigned to Pritti Patel’s channel fleet along with a Whirlwind helicopter that flew low overhead.

Approaching the harbour entrance, the vessel Bravewind, an unloaded Heavy Load Carrier, that usually carries items such as Wind Turbine Blades. passed close by.
Jetstream returned to its berth after 10 hours away covering 25Nm in light winds having had a successful shakedown trial.

The next day, Thursday, Jetstream’s crew awoke to thick mist and zero winds amd called off their plans for a morning sail.

Terry and Geff then decided to have an early lunch and then return home to try to avoid the Bank Holiday traffic, something they both failed to do.