{"id":198,"date":"2019-04-07T19:34:08","date_gmt":"2019-04-07T18:34:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.socasailing.org.uk\/?page_id=198"},"modified":"2026-07-30T16:32:24","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T15:32:24","slug":"our-programme","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.socasailing.org.uk\/?page_id=198","title":{"rendered":"Our Programme"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Find below what we are currently planning for 2026<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programme page last Updated 30th<\/sup>\u00a0 July 2026<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upcoming Events<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday 13<\/em><\/strong>th August<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0202<\/strong><\/em>6\u00a0<\/strong>@ 6:30 for 7:00pm\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

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In August Dave and Liz are hosting the SOCA BBQ at their home in Datchworth.<\/div>\n
Please confirm attendance for catering.<\/span><\/div>\n
Please bring your own drinks.
All profits to Commodores charity. Price tbc.
If you are attending please email <\/span>commodore@socasailing.org.uk<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

You can also click on the links below<\/strong> to find out what has happened in the previous few years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2025<\/strong><\/a><\/td>2024<\/a><\/strong><\/td>2023 <\/a><\/strong><\/td>2022<\/a><\/strong> <\/td>2021<\/a><\/strong><\/td>2020<\/a><\/strong><\/td>2019<\/a><\/strong><\/td>2018<\/a><\/strong><\/td>2017<\/a><\/strong><\/td>2016<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Links to previous year’s programmes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2026 PROGRAMME<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When<\/strong><\/td>What<\/strong><\/td>Details<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Thursday 10th December 202<\/em>6<\/strong>

\"\"
<\/td>		Meeting \/ Competition<\/td>SOCA 2026 Photo Competition<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>
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.<\/td><\/tr>
Thursday<\/em><\/strong>
12th<\/strong> November 202<\/em>6<\/strong><\/td>		Meeting\/Presentation<\/td>Jeremy Batch<\/strong> has been booked to to give another of his very interesting presentations. <\/td><\/tr>
October\/November 202<\/em>6<\/strong>
<\/td>		Social
Laying Up Lunch<\/td>		SOCA <\/strong> Laying Up lunch.<\/strong> Saturday 7th November @1:00pm at Cowper Arms Digswell, near Welwyn North Station.<\/td><\/tr>
Thursday 8th October 2025<\/em><\/strong><\/td>Meeting\/Presentation<\/td>Sailing in Sicily Terry Branston<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
21st – 25th September 2026<\/strong><\/td>Sailing<\/td>September Cruising In Company (CIC)<\/strong>
Sailing Weekend (South Coast).<\/strong> Details to be finalised.
Trip to Brighton or Poole depending on tides.<\/td><\/tr>
September 2026<\/strong>\"\"<\/td>Sailing<\/td>September Cruising In Company (CIC)<\/strong>
Sailing Weekend (East Coast).<\/strong> Details to be finalised<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td><\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Thursday<\/em><\/strong>
10th September 202<\/em><\/strong>6<\/td>		Meeting\/
Presentation<\/td>		Saronic sailing <\/strong>presentation by Terry and Stewart<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Thursday<\/em><\/strong>
13th August 202<\/em>6<\/strong><\/td>		Social<\/td>
BBQ<\/strong> at Dave & Liz Arnolds
<\/td><\/tr>

Wednesday 15th July 2026 <\/strong>
\"\"
<\/td>		Social<\/td>
Dingy Sailing & BBQ<\/strong>
This turned out to be the usual happy and most enjoyable evening
Thanks to BOSG<\/strong> 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<\/strong> members. BOSG’s<\/strong> hospitality and friendly company were greatly appreciated, the Commodore and Rear Commodore enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with BOSG<\/strong> 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..<\/td><\/tr>
Thursday<\/em><\/strong>
9th Jul<\/em><\/strong>y 202<\/strong><\/em>6<\/strong><\/td>		Social<\/td>Sabbatical drinks <\/strong>at RNA W G City or
Wrecks of Malta <\/strong>presentation by Tanya and Stewart<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Friday 3rd July 2026<\/strong>
\"\"<\/td>		Social<\/td>
An Air Experience Gliding evening. <\/strong>
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 \u00a342.00, subsequent flights \u00a323.50. Thanks to Bob Leonard for organising.<\/td><\/tr>
Thursday
11th June 2025<\/em><\/strong>
\"\"<\/td>		Meeting\/
Presentation<\/td>		“Manufacture of ELT telescope mirror segements<\/strong>” 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.<\/td><\/tr>
Thursday
14th May 202<\/em>5<\/strong>
<\/td>		Meeting\/
Social
<\/td>
This scheduled meeting was cancelled due to non-availability of most of the committee.<\/strong> In its place a social get together is planned at the RNA<\/strong> in W G City<\/td><\/tr>
Thursday<\/em><\/strong>
16th April 2025<\/em><\/strong>
\"\"<\/td>		Meeting\/
Presentation<\/td>		Eight Years Sailing in France Paul Bragg<\/a><\/strong>
 
Since 2017, Paul Bragg<\/strong> and his wife Elaine<\/strong> have been steadily exploring the west coast of France<\/strong> and northern Spain<\/strong> \u2014 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.<\/td><\/tr>
Saturday March 28th 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/td>Social<\/td>SOCA<\/strong> held the 2026 Fitting Out lunch <\/strong> 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.<\/td><\/tr>
Wednesday 25 March 2026<\/strong>
\"\"<\/td>		AGM\/Social<\/td>BOSG Fitting Out Breakfast & AGM<\/strong>, held onWednesday 25 March, at D’Parys Hote<\/strong>l. <\/a> 
There was good Member attendance and those that attended appeared to have an enjoyable time.<\/td><\/tr>
Thursday<\/em><\/strong>
12th March 202<\/em>6<\/strong>
\"\"<\/td>		AGM \/
Presentations<\/td>		SOCA 2026 AGM<\/strong>
This included the Commodores Report and presentation of trophies <\/strong>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,<\/td><\/tr>
Wednesday 11th February 202<\/em>6<\/strong>
\"\"
<\/td>		Training<\/td>A special Training Event on Sea Survival at
Hatfield Swimming Pool<\/a><\/em><\/strong>
In conjunction with Mid Herts Diver<\/strong><\/a>, SOCA arranged a Sea Survival Liferaft session<\/strong> 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.<\/td><\/tr>
Thursday 8th January 2026<\/strong>
\"\"




<\/td>		Meeting\/
Presentation<\/td>		ASailing the Norfolk Broads, Narrow Boating and more<\/em><\/strong>
A talk by Dave Arnold<\/strong>
The first talk of the year was given by Dave Arnold<\/strong>, who idescribed how he is staying afloat after the disposal of his East Coast boat Joint Affair. <\/strong>
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.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody>
<\/td><\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tfoot><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Find below what we are currently planning for 2026 Programme page last Updated 30th\u00a0 July 2026 Upcoming Events Thursday 13th August\u00a02026\u00a0@ 6:30 for 7:00pm\u00a0 \u00a0 In August Dave and Liz are hosting the SOCA BBQ at their home in Datchworth. … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":633,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-198","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.socasailing.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/198","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.socasailing.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.socasailing.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.socasailing.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.socasailing.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=198"}],"version-history":[{"count":657,"href":"https:\/\/www.socasailing.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/198\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17962,"href":"https:\/\/www.socasailing.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/198\/revisions\/17962"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.socasailing.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/633"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.socasailing.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=198"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}