Our Programme

Find below what we are currently planning for 2026

Programme page last Updated 12th  June 2026

Upcoming Events

Thursday 11th June 2026 @ 7:30pm

Royal Naval Association W G City

 

Friday 3rd July at 6:00pm
An Air Experience Gliding evening.

The Cambridge Gliding Club, Gransden Lodge Airfield, Longstowe Rd, Little Gransden, Sandy on the B1046 Longstowe to Little Gransden Rd SG19 3EB.
An opportunity to fly quietly in the air, you will be with a qualified instructor. You can have a go at flying if you wish or you can just sit back and enjoy the flight and the view. First flight will cost £42.00, subsequent flights £23.50. This is an experience. Numbers are limited to ensure as far as possible all attendees get a flight. Bookings are on a first come first served basis. To book: contact Bob Leonard on 01767 260293.

Thursday 9th July 202@ 7:30pm
Royal Naval Association W G City

Sabbatical drinks at RNA W G City or Wrecks of Malta presentation by Tanya and Stewart

Wednesday 15th July 2026  @ 18:00 hrs

Dingy Sailing & BBQ
Paxton Lakes Sailing Club, Little Paxton, PE19 6EY


This promises to be the usual happy and most enjoyable BOSG evening. Boats can be sailed, you will probably be able to watch swimmers in the lake, and cook on the BBQ provided, — all in good company. Just come along, relax and enjoy,
BOSG, SOCA, NOSCA Members, Partners, their Children & Partners and Grandchildren are all very welcome – there is no requirement to sail if you don’t want to.
Sailing boats ready to go and a fired up BBQ will be provided Free – just bring your BBQ food and drink. A message to Bob helps to plan numbers.

You can also click on the links below to find out what has happened in the previous few years.

202520242023 2022 202120202019201820172016
Links to previous year’s programmes.

2026 PROGRAMME

WhenWhatDetails
Thursday 10th December 2026


Meeting / CompetitionSOCA 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/PresentationJeremy Batch has been booked to to give another of his very interesting presentations.
October/November 2026
Social
Laying Up Lunch
SOCA Laying Up lunch.
Details to be confirmed
Thursday 8th October 2025Meeting/PresentationSailing in Sicily Terry Branston
21st – 25th September 2026SailingSeptember Cruising In Company (CIC)
Sailing Weekend (South Coast). Details to be finalised.
Trip to Brighton or Poole depending on tides.
September 2026SailingSeptember Cruising In Company (CIC)
Sailing Weekend (East Coast). Details to be finalised
Thursday
10th September 2026
Meeting/
Presentation
Saronic sailing presentation by Terry and Stewart
Thursday
13th August 2026
Social
BBQ at Dave & Liz Arnolds

Wednesday 15th July 2026
18:00 hrs

Social
Dingy Sailing & BBQ
Paxton Lakes Sailing Club, Little Paxton, PE19 6EY
This promises to be the usual happy and most enjoyable BOSG evening. Boats can be sailed, you will probably be able to watch swimmers in the lake, and cook on the BBQ provided, — all in good company. Just come along, relax and enjoy,
BOSG, SOCA, NOSCA Members, Partners, their Children & Partners and Grandchildren are all very welcome – there is no requirement to sail if you don’t want to.
Sailing boats ready to go and a fired up BBQ will be provided Free – just bring your BBQ food and drink. A message to Bob helps to plan numbers.
Thursday
9th July 2026
SocialSabbatical drinks at RNA W G City or
Wrecks of Malta presentation by Tanya and Stewart
Friday 3rd July 2026 @ 6:00pm
Social
An Air Experience Gliding evening.
The Cambridge Gliding Club, Gransden Lodge Airfield, Longstowe Rd, Little Gransden, Sandy SG19 3EB on the B1046 Longstowe to Little Gransden Rd SG19 3EB.
An opportunity to fly quietly in the air, you will be with a qualified instructor. You can have a go at flying if you wish or you can just sit back and enjoy the flight and the view. First flight will cost £42.00, subsequent flights £23.50. This is an experience. Numbers are limited to ensure as far as possible all attendees get a flight. Bookings are on a first come first served basis. To book: contact Bob Leonard on 01767 260293.
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.
1st – 5th June 2026SailingJune Cruising In Company (CIC)
Sailing Weekend (South Coast). Details to be finalised.
Trip to Brighton or Poole depending on tides.
May 2026
SailingMay Sailing Weekend (East Coast).
The East Coast rally,
Details to be Arranged. Hopefully we will be joined by members from BOSG & NOSCA.
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 2026SocialSOCA 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/SocialBOSG 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

TrainingA 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
ASailing the Norfolk Broads, Narrow Boating and more
A talk by Dave Arnold
The first talk of the year was given by Dave Arnold, who idescribed 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.