2018

2018 Programme

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WhenWhatDetails
DecemberMeeting / Competition2018 Photo Competition and Christmas social.
DecemberSocialCommodores Fondu evening
NovemberSocialLaying Up Supper
NovemberMeeting/
Presentation
What an inspiring talk we had in November when we welcomed two trustees from the East Anglian Sailing Trust (EAST). This was Richard White, the previous commodore’s charity.
OctoberCruisingVarious trips by club members to Spain/Gibraltar to visit Ray Hunt on his yacht Miss Behaving.
OctoberCruisingGreece Charter of 4 yachts for 16 crew in the North Ionian. No Medicane and very light winds. An organised flotilla was a first for some, the lead crew really made the week stress free with their excellent sailing briefings and recommendations of of bays, harbours and restaurants to visit
OctoberMeeting/
Presentation
NEW ZEALAND. with Dave Arnold A photographic tour of some of the iconic coastal locations and lakes of New Zealand starting at the Bay of Islands in the North Island and finishing at Milford Sound in the South. Also a Greece live update.
SeptemberCruisingMartyn Reed/Ariel Spirit did the Burnham carnival weekend in September.
SeptemberCruisingGeorge Whitchurch and Vivien cruise Panpipe to Swale, Faversham, Harty Ferry, Chatham, Mudberth
SeptemberCruisingSOCA GAUNTLET CHALLENGE
Postponed due to a bad weather forecast of wind, rain, storm Ali etc.
SeptemberMeeting/
Presentation
WAVES, WHEELS AND SPARKS
Sailing into the Electrical Age with Jeremy Batch.
AugustCruisingPaul Bragg continued cruising Jennie B in the west coast of France through the season including a visit to Ile de Re near La Rochelle.
AugustCruisingThe Branston’s Jetstream cruised the south coast August 2018. Bembridge, Newtown Creek and Lymington.
AugustCruisingGeorge Whitchurch and Vivien August trips with Panpipe to Osea, plus club Fireball dinghy racing week, and various weekends through the season.
AugustCruisingIpswich maritime festival.
AugustCruisingJohn Robertson moved his narrowboat over the summer months with a little help from his friends at SOCA.
AugustSocialSummer BBQ
JulyCruisingGeorge Whitchurch and Vivien cruise Panpipe to Deben, Rocks, Tidemill, Ferry.
JulyCruisingMoondance once again took part in the Round the Island race in July.  Moondance then headed to the Channel Islands via Portland visiting Alderney and Guernsey and returning via Cherbourg.
JulyMeeting / PresentationAt The Lytton Arms, Old Knebworth
JuneCuisingA rally of three SOCA yachts were sailing to France but the forecast was not favourable. However a great time was had in Ramsgate, Queenborough and Chatham on the River Medway by Ariel Spirit, Hypertonic and Wabbit.
JuneCruisingMartyn Reed cruised Ariel Spirit to Brightlingsea where they met Conrad Humphrey’s the now owner of the mutiny on the bounty  boat, used in the Ant Middleton Channel 4 series, he was the experienced sailor on the trip.
JuneCruisingTerry Branston chartered in Sardinia.
JuneCruisingGeorge and crew Alex Nicholas cruise Panpipe to Levington & Foxes.
JuneCruisingGeorge Whitchurch and Vivien cruise Panpipe to Titchmarsh Backwaters, RHYC Orwell & Shotley.
JuneCruisingSimon Harrison set off cruising Folie Douce from the Orwell on 2nd June and returned in mid August. He visited three of the Frisian Islands. Georgette joined him in Den Helder on 12th June for the rest of the trip. Simon presented his cruise at the January 2020 meeting.
JuneMeeting /
Presentation
SOCA OUT AND ABOUT. Start of summer season. Crooked Billet.
MayCruising George Whitchurch and crew Richard White cruise Panpipe to Boulogne and Sandwich.
MayCruising Martyn Reed cruised Ariel Spirit to Pyfleet, Brightlingsea and Wivenhoe for spring bank holiday
May CruisingWabbit prep including how to get wounded crew on board.
MayCruisingEarly May Paul Bragg planned to explore more of west coast France unfortunately Jennie B’s pushpit and davits were remodelled in a collision.
May Meeting /
Presentation
WATERWAYS WONDERS
Richard Thomas. Innovations from our waterways history with locks, lifts and tunnels along with a look at some of the more modern additions.
AprilSocialFitting Out Dinner – An Indian banquet at Dine Bangla in Baldock.
AprilMeeting /
Presentation
PLASTIC OCEAN
Diane Ketcher. Transition Town Letchworth (TTL).  A global overview and an evening of film and discussion.
MarchAGMCommodores Annual review and AGM – outgoing Commodore Richard White
FebruaryMeeting /
Presentation
Paul Bragg around Brittany
JanuaryMeeting /Training
Basic life support and AED use