Programme Spring 2022

Antarctica, Old and New

Bob Shepton

Accomplished sailor, mountaineer and Arctic explorer, Reverend Bob Shepton will tell us about his sailing in the 1990s between the Falklands and Antarctica (partly under jury rig) and more recently on Novara from the Falklands to South Georgia in 2017. More details

Cruising through Life, BC to the Hanson Cup

James Littlewood

James returns to reflect, in his usual entertaining style, on his sailing career and tell us about his cruising on the coastal and inland waterways of Northwest Europe. He recently won the prestigious Cruising Association Hanson Trophy for his 2020 log of his travels. More details

HMS Medusa

Alan Watson

Medusa is the last original, seaworthy example of 464 HDML vessels built for the WW2 Royal Navy. After a critical role at Omaha beach on D Day and other action, she became a survey ship, then civilian life since 1968. Alan has been her skipper for the last 9 years. More details

Wildlife and Ecology of the Thames

Graham Scholey

Graham has a specialist role with the Environment Agency (Thames area) and was made MBE for his work in 2004. He will explain how the wildlife (above and below the surface) and ecology of the Thames fit in with historic changes to the river and its management.  More details

The Penlee Lifeboat

Paul Barnett

In 1981, the Solomon Browne was launched into hurricane conditions to aid the MV Union Star off the southern coast of Cornwall. A few people were rescued on to the lifeboat but then both vessels were wrecked, and a total of 16 people were lost. This is their story. More details 

The Big Tow

John Apps

John successfully completed the 2021 Jester Azores Challenge, sailing single handed to the Azores. All the boats that crossed the start line finished but not all under their own sail power. Do you really need a rudder? How far can you tow a boat under sail, and more….  More details

Scaramouche

Jon Holt

Jon founded the Scaramouche Sailing Trust and leads outdoor education at a London City Academy. With small boats and their 45ft Admiral’s Cup boat, Scaramouche, he has led young sailors to compete successfully in major races, including the RTI and Fastnet.  More details

Three Men in a Nauticat Boat

Richard Sutton

Santander to Portsmouth 2020. It all began with a remark over a beer: “If you need any help bringing your boat back from Spain, give me a call.” Several months later I was in Santander staring at a boat that wasn’t ready to sail in the harbour, let alone cross Biscay.  More details

Lloyd's Register

Mark Darley

After his early career as a marine surveyor, Mark is now Global Marine and Offshore Director at Lloyd’s Register’s Marine and Offshore business. He will tell us about how they help companies to improve design, safety and environmental impact of shipping.   More details

Annual General Meeting

AGM and Review of the year, followed by a look forward to the coming sailing season.