Find below what we are currently planning for 2026
Programme page last Updated 23rd October 2026
Upcoming Events
Saturday 7th November 2026 @ 1:00pm
SOCA Laying Up lunch.
At Cowper Arms Digswell,
near Welwyn North Station.
Thursday 12th November 2026 @ 7:30pm W. G. City RNA Club
Jeremy Batch has been booked to to give another of his very interesting presentations.
In this sequel to Jeremy’s talk last year, we look in more detail at the early British and French-led projects to create accurate maps and charts. In Britain, William Roy’s 1747 Survey of the Scottish Highlands would lead to the commencement, in 1791, of our nationwide Ordnance Survey. Meanwhile, the French had been busy with an even more ambitious project (begun in 1683) to measure their own prime meridian, not just through Paris and across France but around a quarter of the globe.
2026 PROGRAMME
| When | What | Details |
Thursday 10th December 2026 | Meeting / Competition | SOCA 2026 Photo Competition This was the annual nautical themed photo contest which included the opportunity for a pre-Christmas social. A selection from the entries will form the basis of a future year’s calendar. |
| Thursday 12th November 2026  | Meeting/Presentation | Jeremy Batch has been booked to to give another of his very interesting presentations. |
| Saturday 7th November 2026 | Social Laying Up Lunch | SOCA Laying Up lunch. Saturday 7th November @1:00pm at Cowper Arms Digswell, near Welwyn North Station. |
| Thursday 8th October 2025 | Meeting/Presentation | Sailing in Sicily Terry Branston. Terry gave a very interesting talk about his bareboat in July around the volcanic Aeolian Islands |
| 21st – 25th September 2026 | Sailing | September Cruising In Company (CIC) Sailing Weekend (South Coast). Due to the weather this was really a motoring event rather than sailing. |
September 2026 | Sailing | September Cruising In Company (CIC) Sailing Weekend (East Coast). Unfortunately only Honfleur could take part. |
| Thursday 10th September 2026  | Meeting/ Presentation | Stewart, Tanya and Terry shared stories and photos from their May 2026 SailingHolidays.com Saronic flotilla. Along with fellow crew members Richard, Norma and newbie sailor Mark they boarded the Beneteau 45 Nafsika for a memorable two weeks of sailing and exploration. |
| Thursday 13th August 2026  | Social | BBQ at Dave & Liz’s. An enjoyable evening was had by those who attended. Food was provided by Stewart and Tanya with donations for the evening contributed to the Commodore’s Charity Ocean Youth Trust South. |
Wednesday 15th July 2026  | Social | Dingy Sailing & BBQ This turned out to be the usual happy and most enjoyable evening Thanks to BOSG for for the warm welcome they gave the Commodore and Rear Commodore of SOCA at Paxton Lakes. It was a thoroughly pleasant and peaceful evening, enjoying the sailing dinghies and paddleboards on the water while catching up with BOSG members. BOSG’s hospitality and friendly company were greatly appreciated, the Commodore and Rear Commodore enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with BOSG members while avoiding England playing in the World Cup. Hats off to Simon for bringing the barbecue, preparing the boats, and helping make the evening run so smoothly. His efforts were very much appreciated.. |
| Thursday 9th July 2026 | Social | Sabbatical drinks at RNA W G City or Wrecks of Malta presentation by Tanya and Stewart |
Friday 3rd July 2026 | Social | An Air Experience Gliding evening. This was an opportunity to fly quietly in the air, you will be with a qualified instructor. You couild have a go at flying if you wish or you colud just sit back and enjoy the flight and the view. First flight cost £42.00, subsequent flights £23.50. Thanks to Bob Leonard for organising. |
| Thursday 11th June 2025  | Meeting/ Presentation | “Manufacture of ELT telescope mirror segements” This non-sailing related talk by Paul Comely looked at how the UK developed a capability to shape the new generation of metre scale mirror segments for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) currently being built in Chile. The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) uses 798 individual hexagonal mirror segments to form a single, massive 39-meter primary mirror. Their primary uses are to collect 100 million times more light than the human eye, take direct images of exoplanets, and measure the acceleration of the universe.This talk looked at how the UK developed a capability to shape the new generation of metre scale mirror segments for the ELT currently being built in Chile. |
| Thursday 14th May 2025 | Meeting/ Social | This scheduled meeting was cancelled due to non-availability of most of the committee. In its place a social get together is planned at the RNA in W G City |
| Thursday 16th April 2025  | Meeting/ Presentation | Eight Years Sailing in France Paul Bragg Since 2017, Paul Bragg and his wife Elaine have been steadily exploring the west coast of France and northern Spain — and 2026 marks their ninth season cruising this remarkable region. In a very engaging and personal talk, Paul and Elaine explained why this coastline is so easy to fall in love with and so hard to leave. |
| Saturday March 28th 2026 | Social | SOCA held the 2026 Fitting Out lunch at the Cowper Arms. Unfortunately the Commodore, Stewart, was ill so Paul had to step up as Rear Commodore to host the event. 16 people attended and as usual the food was much appreciated. |
Wednesday 25 March 2026 | AGM/Social | BOSG Fitting Out Breakfast & AGM, held onWednesday 25 March, at D’Parys Hotel. There was good Member attendance and those that attended appeared to have an enjoyable time. |
| Thursday 12th March 2026  | AGM / Presentations | SOCA 2026 AGM This included the Commodores Report and presentation of trophies plus appointment/election of the new flag officers. This was conducted in person and on ZOOM. New blood on the committee is always welcome so please volunteer if you have an interest in keeping the club going. You can be co-opted anytime during the year, |
Wednesday 11th February 2026 | Training | A special Training Event on Sea Survival at Hatfield Swimming Pool In conjunction with Mid Herts Diver, SOCA arranged a Sea Survival Liferaft session at Hatfield Swim Centre This was an informal training event based on RNLI, BSAC and RYA safety advice ensuring members learn to use equipment before they are in any emergency situation. |
Thursday 8th January 2026 | Meeting/ Presentation | Sailing the Norfolk Broads, Narrow Boating and more A talk by Dave Arnold The first talk of the year was given by Dave Arnold, who described how he is staying afloat after the disposal of his East Coast boat Joint Affair. The first half of the evening focused on sailing a traditional Norfolk Broads yacht. Dave then branched out into other forms of water transport, including life aboard a 66-foot narrowboat – covering his 2025 travels on the Coventry and Ashby canals, along with highlights from earlier trips. |