2024 PROGRAMME
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2024 PROGRAMME
| When | What | Details |
| 12th December 2024 |
Meeting / Competition | 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. A selection from the entries a;ways form the basis of a future year’s calendar. |
14th November 2024 |
Meeting/Presentation | 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 CHALLENGE was one of the Dunkirk Little Ships engaged in the evacuation of Allied troops from France in May and June 1940. This was the 2023 Commodore’s charity and SOCA made a donation to the Trust from the Commodore’s fund. |
| 14th November 2024 | Social Laying Up Lunch |
BOSG Laying Up & Christmas Lunch at the Prince of Wales Bedford. 16 BOSG members attended. |
9th November 2024 |
Social Laying Up Lunch |
SOCA held its Laying Up Lunch |
17th October 2024 |
Meeting/Presentation |
Swinging, Spinning and Wobbling: pendulums, gyroscopes and Inertial Navigation – a talk by Jeremy Batch |
| 4,5,6 Oct |
Sailing | Broads Sailing Weekend, 4,5,6 Oct |
12th September 2024 |
Meeting/ Presentation |
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 For more details click here.. |
10,11,12 Aug 2024 |
Sailing | AUGUST Cruising In Company (CIC) Sailing Weekend (East Coast). 4 Yachts joined each other at Levington for a weekend of sailing in company. |
| 8th August 2024 |
Social | A social event was held at the RNA in W G City. where future events was discussed.. |
| 26th July 2024 | Gliding/Social Activity | On Friday 26 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 – thanks Bob for organising. |
25 July 2024 |
BBQ/ Dinghy Sailing.The BBQ & Dingy Sailing event at Paxton Lakes Sailing Club, on 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. | |
| 11th July 2024 | Social | As is usual in the sailing season many members were away sailing taking advantage of the good weather. Therefore we held an informal drinks and chat at the RNA in Welwyn Garden City which also had people Zooming in for a chat and catch up on what has been happening. |
| 13th June 2024 | Meeting/Social Night | As is usual in the sailing season many members were away sailing taking advantage of the good weather. Therefore we held an informal drinks and chat at the RNA in Welwyn Garden City which also had people Zooming in for a chat and catch up on what has been happening. |
May 2024 |
Sailing | May Sailing Weekend (East Coast). This was rearranged to later in the year |
9th May 2024 |
Meeting/ Presentation |
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. |
13 April 2024 |
Social | 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. The event was very well supported with numerous ex Commodores in attendance. Full report to follow. |
11th April 2024 |
Meeting/ Presentation |
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. |
14th March 2024 |
AGM / Presentations |
SOCA 2024 AGM This included the Commodores Report and presentation of trophies plus appointment/election of the new flag officers. This was a well attended meeting, 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. |
8th February 2024 |
Meeting/ Presentation |
Shrimper‘s East Coast Rally 2023. The Vice Commodore, Geff, gave a presentation detailing sailing as part of the East Coast Shrimper in July 2023. This was a combined presentation with the speaker presenting from the RNA in W.G, City and also presented on ZOOM for members who cannot attend. |
11th January 2024 |
Meeting/ Presentation |
Paul Bragg gave a talk on “Crossing the Biscay“a trip to Spain in July returning to France in August 2023. This was as usual a very interesting and enjoyable talk recalling their trip to Northern Spain. The talk was given by Paul, (could not be in person at the RNA as he was recovering from a bout of Covid so presented via ZOOM. Some members watched at the RNA in Welwyn Garden City with lots more watching it at their home via ZOOM including members from our sister organisation BOSG |