Tag Archives: Commodore

Commodore’s 2022 Festive Message

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Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, and trust you have had a enjoyable sailing year which has certainly had its share of fine weather, lets hope we get the same next year.
The first club sailing event was the East Coast Cruise at the end of May which culminated in a dinner at Fox’s Marina Ipswich. Honfleur crewed by four SOCA members managed to make it followed by Stewart, Tanya, Paul Redd and Denise all of whom arrived by car.

25th – 28th May 2001 Cherbourg Rally

Paul had recently retired from work and had just bought a Cornish Crabber which he was looking forward to using in his retirement. This as we know was the last SOCA event Paul attended as he sadly passed away in September shortly after  being diagnosed with cancer.
He was SOCA Commodore for the year 1999-2000, I think that’s Paul at the helm of what I believe is a Colvic 28.

Tom. Sarah and Baby


Paul was a past neighbour of mine for many years at Becket Hall, Welwyn and joined the club soon after me. He had two young children Tom and Sarah who I was very pleased to meet again at Paul’s funeral.
Tom was showing off his latest 3 month old addition which he is holding in the picture above with Sarah standing alongside .


The reception was fittingly arranged at Pin Mill and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Our heart felt condolences go out to Denise for this tragic curtailing of their retirement years together.

The last yachting event was the South coast cruise arranged by Martyn Reed at Hythe Marina. This was a very successful event with 5 yachts all helped along by Martyn and Sean’s hospitality and the particularly fine weather.

Jetstream at Hythe Marina Sept 2022

Just to remind everyone the next meeting is on the 12 January 2023.
Tanya will be giving a talk on her experiences diving on the scuttled German warships in the freezing cold waters of Scapa Flow. 

Commodore Alex Nicholas

SOCA 2022 Photo Competition

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The December meeting was held on the 8th of December and was well attended despite the weather conditions. This was the annual nautical themed photo contest which included the opportunity for a pre-Christmas social.
Nearly 120 photos from over 20 members were submitted into the competition, this made the voting very close with ties-breaking decisions having to be made in 4 of the categories.

The winners in the 2022 Photo Competition

Above are the six winners in the 2022 photo competition.
From left to right :-
Terry, George (at front), Paul, Tanya, Stewart & Geff

The competition for best photo was broken into six different Categories:-
1) Club People since the club was formed.
2) Seascapes
3) Artistic (with a nautical flavour)
4) Boats
5) Weather and Sunsets
6) Sailing Holiday

Below are the winning photos from the 2022 Photo Competition.

 Categories for the Photo Competition:

1) Club People since the club was formed.

Club People – A very old Printed Photo that required scanning from Tanya


2) Seascapes

SEASCAPES – A photo taken by Stewart off Plymouth


3) Artistic (with a nautical flavour)

Artistic – A photo that could have been entered into (and won) many of the categories by Terry


4) Boats

BOATS – A picture from Paul from high on the mast.


5) Weather and Sunsets

Weather & Sunsets – A picture from George on the East Coast.


6) Sailing Holiday

Sailing Holiday – a picture taken on the wharf in Oban whilst Geff was on holiday in Scotland



Note a selection from the entries will form the basis of next year’s calendar 2024 which seeing the quality of this year’s entries means it will be highly desirable.

Also a raffle etc was held which made a healthy boost to the funds for the Commodores chosen charity which this year is BTAC.

Eight Bells sound for Past SOCA Commodore Paul Redd

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It is with deep regret and sadness that I have to inform you all of the passing of one of our members, our friend Paul Redd. You will remember Paul as a warm, charming, fun and witty Commodore and a popular committee member for may years. He passed peacefully at home on Sunday 30th October with his wife Denise, children and sister by his side.

 
Paul has been a great friend and sailing buddy for many years as can be seen from the attached photos. South and East Coast Rallies to Cherbourg and Ostend, taking part in the 24hr RNLI charity race around Fairlands lake, competing in the Round the Island race a number of times on hired Sunsail boats and later on his own yacht Moondance.
 
Paul felt well in June but gradually began to loose weight. He thought this was due to a change of lifestyle from working to being retired. In September he was admitted to hospital and found to have stomach cancer, already stage 4.
 
Tanya and I saw him three weeks ago at his home in Suffolk, he was very unwell but his humour was still with him, joking about life and death. We are sad to lose our friend and sailing companion, Paul will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
 
We will all have so many great memories of Paul so please share these over the weeks ahead.
 
Our thoughts are with Paul’s wife Denise and family.
 
Stewart Warren
 

When a sailor has died they can be honoured with the sounding of eight bells;
meaning “end of the watch”.

_ _     _ _      _ _      _ _

 

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.

2022 Annual Review and AGM

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SOCA 2022 Annual Review & AGM held on
Thursday 10th March Live at RNA Welwyn Garden City

This was a relaxed, social evening which gives members a chance to look back at the past year and discuss plans for the next season.
Commencing with the Commodores review of the past year and presentation of trophies the club AGM then followed.

The 2022 Trophy Awards were as follows

Kelphil Bell Awarded for the most support to the club.

The Kelphil Bell is one of the oldest awards within the club. It was awarded by the Commodore to Deborah for her support over many years.

Kelphil Bell awarded to Deborah

Joseph Evanson Trophy awarded for best log

The Joseph Evanson Trophy was awarded to Andrew for his adventures in when he helped Ray bring home “Miss Behaving” from Gibraltar.
Joseph Evanson was a founding member of SOCA, the first Vp and Treasurer,

Joseph Evanson Trophy awarded to Andrew

Astrolabe Trophy awarded for most attended presentation

The Astrolabe Trophy (donated to the club by Roy Maynard) for a member’s presentation at a club evening. The Astrolabe Trophy this year was awarded to Andrew for the epic presentation that described the journey and mishaps  in bringing “Miss Behaving” back from Gilbrator with Ray and other helpers . This was a marathon presentation that lasted “over a month!!“. Started at the January meeting there was so much to cover it concluded at start of  the Febrauary meeting.

Astrolable awarded to Andrew

The Commodore’s Cup 

The Commodore’s Cup is presented entirely at the outgoing Commodore’s discretion.
This year it was awarded to Paul for his services to the club and his willingness to do numerous presentations. This year he regaled us with an ultra high tech presentation which future members will struggle to surpass. Unfortunately Paul could not attend the presentation evening so it will be awarded to him at a future event.

The Commodore’s Cup 
Awarded to Paul, who unfortuanately
could not attend the presentation evening.

2022 Flag Officers: Rear, Commodore and Vice

The new  Flag Officers for 2022 
endorsed by the membership at the AGM.

2022 Commodore is  Alex
Vice Commodore is Andrew
Rea Commodore is Geff

New Flag Officers for 2022