Programme

Welcome to our Programme Pages. Tyically, our Calendar Year is divided into three parts:

  1. The Winter/Spring Season of Lectures
  2. Our Summer Season (typically Sailing and Social events)
  3. The Autumn/Winter Season of Lectures

The tabs below let you see what’s happening next, and what’s happened in the past.

We hope you like the look of our programme. The tabs below show the Current Programme, and our archive of Previous Programmes. They should give a pretty good idea of what we get up to…

Next Upcoming Event

WW2 Bunker Museum and Pub Lunch

19 November 2024
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WW2 Bunker Museum and Pub Lunch

This will be a guided tour of the WW2 bunker from which the Battle of Britain was fought, with associated museum, followed by a pub lunch.

Find out more
19 November 2024

Queen Mary’s to Douarnenez via the Hebrides – Andrew Pears

Andrew will tell us about his adventures in his newly purchased Bavaria 34 on a sailing trip to France, quite an unusual route! During his previous 30 years at Queen Mary Sailing Club, he sailed a Blaze winged dinghy, so this was quite a change for him.

£5
Find out more
20 November 2024

From Majorca to the Dodecanese – Denis and Pip Lyons

GXSA members Denis and Pip will explain some of the benefits and challenges of shared ownership of a yacht and tell us about their extensive sailing around the Mediterranean in their shared yachts. We hope for some beautiful locations to brighten up a winter evening.

£5
Find out more
27 November 2024

Canal History and Amusing Tales – Roger Butler

Roger is a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society; he will tell us about some of the history of canals in Britain and their impressive engineering. Many entertaining stories too, including a pioneering canal honeymoon in 1962, Stoke on Trent, Wolverhampton!..

£5
Find out more
04 December 2024

Cast Off for Christmas

Our usual mix of short presentations, competitions and festive entertainment. GXSA members and their guests only on this evening.

Find out more
11 December 2024

Current Programme

Here is our programme of talks for the current season. It doesn’t include social or sailing events. Click here for a printable version.

Autumn 2024

Wednesday
9th October
Is the Ocean’s Radiator set to Max?
Isabelle Ansorge
On 22nd July 2024, the Earth experienced its warmest day in recent history. Why is this
happening, how are the oceans responding to the ever-increasing temperatures and what
about the future? Isabelle is Professor of Oceanography at the University of Cape Town.
Wednesday
16th October
Sailing a Small Boat across the Atlantic
Gary O’Grady
Gary describes sailing his 29ft bilge keel Westerly Konsort across the Atlantic from
Chichester to Antigua via the Canaries. Suffering from knockdowns, complete electrical
failure and a visit from orcas, he still managed to reach St Lucia just before Christmas.
Wednesday
23rd October
Inland Waterways Cruising
Julian and Vanessa Dussek
Julian and Vanessa started cruising inland Europe in 2006 in their Southerly lifting keel
sailing boat ‘Pluto’. After a few years in the Mediterranean, they returned inland and are
still exploring the many delights of France, Belgium and the Netherlands. CA Speaker
Wednesday
30th October
Platforms, Pirates and Pornography
Andy Beharrell
The Second World War army and navy forts were built in the Thames Estuary to protect
London from enemy air force and naval incursions. Andy will explain what is left of the
forts, their strategic significance, how they were used and their unique legacy.
Wednesday
6th November
Normandy D-Day 80 th Anniversary
Stuart Gaunt
A well-timed sailing trip to the Normandy Coast allowed Stuart and his crew to visit some
of the many interesting ports on that coast and to experience the extensive celebrations
that were organised for the D-Day anniversary this year.
Wednesday
13th
November
RNLI, 200 Years and Counting
Ryan Hall
Ryan is Head of RNLI Region South-East. He will tell us about the excellent lifesaving
work done by RNLI with recent developments across 238 lifeboat stations, 244 beaches
and the important humanitarian work done by RNLI in the English Channel. CA Speaker
Wednesday
20th
November
Queen Mary’s to Douarnenez via the Hebrides
Andrew Pears
Andrew will tell us about his adventures in his newly purchased Bavaria 34 on a sailing
trip to France; it sounds like an unusual route. During his previous 30 years at Queen
Mary Sailing Club, he sailed a Blaze winged dinghy, so it was quite a change for him …
Wednesday
27th
November
Sailing in the Dodecanese
Denis and Pip Lyons
GXSA members Denis and Pip will explain some of the benefits and challenges of shared
ownership of a yacht and tell us about their extensive sailing around the Mediterranean in
their shared yachts. We hope for some beautiful locations to brighten up a winter evening.
Wednesday
4th December
Canal History and Amusing Tales
Roger Butler
Roger is a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society; he will tell us about some of the
history of canals in Britain and their impressive engineering. Many entertaining stories too,
including a pioneering canal honeymoon in 1962, Stoke on Trent, Wolverhampton!..
Wednesday
11th
December
Cast Off for Christmas
Our usual mix of short presentations, competitions, quiz and festive entertainment.

RNLI, 200 Years and Counting – Guy Addington MBE

Guy is Water Safety lead of RNLI Region South-East. He will tell us about the excellent lifesaving work done by RNLI with recent developments across 238 lifeboat stations, 244 beaches and the important humanitarian work done by RNLI in the English Channel.

£5
Find out more
13 November 2024

Normandy D-Day 80th Anniversary – Stuart Gaunt

Stuart visited Normandy twice this summer; once by boat and the second time by car, visiting some locations he couldn’t reach by boat. The talk covers the highlights of the two trips, including the Anniversary Celebrations, and some less well-known experiences.

£5
Find out more
06 November 2024

Platforms, Pirates and Pornography – Andy Beharrell

The Second World War army and navy forts were built in the Thames Estuary to protect London from enemy air force and naval incursions. Andy will explain what is left of the forts, their strategic significance, how they were used and their unique legacy.

£5
Find out more
30 October 2024

Inland Waterways Cruising – Julian and Vanessa Dussek

Julian and Vanessa started cruising inland Europe in 2006 in their Southerly lifting keel sailing boat ‘Pluto’. After a few years in the Mediterranean, they returned inland and are still exploring the many delights of France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

£5
Find out more
23 October 2024

Sailing a Small Boat across the Atlantic – Gary O’Grady

Gary describes sailing his 29ft bilge keel Westerly Konsort across the Atlantic from Chichester to Antigua via the Canaries.  Suffering from knockdowns, complete electrical failure and a visit from orcas, he still managed to reach St Lucia just before Christmas.

£5
Find out more
16 October 2024

Is the Ocean’s Radiator set to Max ? – Professor Isabelle Ansorge

On 22nd July 2024, the Earth experienced its warmest day in recent history. Why is this happening, how are the oceans responding to the ever-increasing temperatures and what about the future? Isabelle is Professor of Oceanography at the University of Cape Town.

£5
Find out more
09 October 2024

2024 Marchwood Rally

Our final Rally of the Summer Season, to Marchwood, where the beautiful River Test flows into the top of Southampton Water.
Join us for Sailing, Food, Drink, and Chat, with a walk to Eling Mill on Sunday

TBC
Find out more
28 September 2024

Meet Our Crew – 11th September 2024

The GXSA Crew are meeting on Wednesday September 11th at a Venue to be confirmed, somewhere in the Gerrrards Cross Area.

Find out more
11 September 2024
Merlin’s Cave, ,, High St
Chalfont Saint Giles, Buckinghamshire HP8 4QF United Kingdom
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Country Walk – 3rd September 2024

Join us for a walk and Pub Lunch at the Boot Inn, Sarratt WD3 6BL. Meet at 10.00 for the walk or 12.00 for the lunch

Find out more
03 September 2024
Boot Inn, Sarrat WD3 6BL,

Meet Our Crew – 28th August 2024

The GXSA Crew are meeting on Wednesday August 28th at the Merlin’s Cave pub in Chalfont St Giles HP8 4QF

Find out more
28 August 2024

Meet Our Crew – 14th August 2024

The GXSA Crew are meeting on Wednesday August 14th at a Venue to be confirmed, somewhere in the Gerrrards Cross Area.

Find out more
14 August 2024

Meet Our Crew – 24th July 2024

The GXSA Crew are meeting on Wednesday July 24th at a Venue to be confirmed, somewhere in the Gerrrards Cross Area.

Find out more
24 July 2024

Meet Our Crew – 10th July 2024

The GXSA Crew are meeting on Wednesday July 10th at a Venue to be confirmed, somewhere in the Gerrrards Cross Area.

Find out more
10 July 2024
05 July 2024

Country Walk – Hambleden 2nd July 2024

Join us for a sumptious Pub Lunch at the Stag & Huntsman, Hambleden, Buckinghamshire, RG9 6RP.
There wil be a walk beforehand, starting around 10:30 (details TBC), with a possible trip afterwards to local Hambleden Vineyard.

Find out more
02 July 2024

Meet Our Crew – 26th June 2024

The GXSA Crew are meeting on Wednesday June 26th at 7:30pm, Merlin’s Cave, Chalfont St Peter, HP8 4QF. Join us !!

Find out more
26 June 2024
Merlin’s Cave, chalfont St Peter, HP8 4QF,

Meet Our Crew – 12th June 2024

The GXSA Crew meeting on Wednesday June 12th has been postponed until 26th June. Please come and join us then.

Find out more
12 June 2024

Summer Cruise 2024

It’s HERE AGAIN… GXSA’s 2024 summer rally to France….or if not France, somewhere equally interesting. As always, the destination will depend on the wind, weather and crew of each boat that’s comes.

Find out more
02 June 2024

2024 Rally to Gins Farm (Beaulieu River) – June 1st

GXSA Summer Rally to Gins Farm on the Beaulieu River. Sailing, Pontoon Party, Dinner, Sunday Fun.
Come and join us.

£10
Find out more
01 June 2024

Meet Our Crew – 29th May 2024

The GXSA Crew are meeting on Wednesday May 29th at the Red Lion Pub, Village Road, Chenies WD3 6ED at 7.30pm.

Find out more
29 May 2024

Meet The Crew – 15th May 2024

The GXSA Crew are meeting at 7.30pm on Wednesday May 15th The Elthorpe, 85 Packhorse Rd, Gerrards Cross SL9 8HX

Free
Find out more
15 May 2024

Country Walk – 7th May 2024

Join us for a sumptious Pub Lunch at a Country Pub in Buckinghamshire or Berkshire. Details to be confirmed.

Find out more
07 May 2024

Meet Our Crew – 24th April 2024

The GXSA Crew are meeting on Wednesday April 24th, somewhere around Gerrards Cross (location to be announced)

Free
Find out more
24 April 2024

2024 Yarmouth Rally

GXSA’s 1st rally of the season takes us to Yarmouth in the beautiful Solent, between the Mother Island and the Daughter Island

Find out more
20 April 2024

Meet Our Crew – 10th April 2024

The GXSA Crew are meeting for our first Summer Event on Wednesday April 10th, at the Fox & Pheasant pub, Gerrards Cross Rd, Stoke Poges, SL2 4EZ

Come mingle with fellow boating enthusiasts, share your own experiences on the water, and gain valuable insights from our knowledgeable members. Whether you dream of sailing the high seas or prefer a leisurely cruise on the lake. Don’t miss out on this chance to strengthen your boating skills and expand your love for all things nautical.

Free
Find out more
10 April 2024
Fox & Pheasant, Stoke Poges, Gerrards Cross Rd
Stoke Poges, Bucks SL2 4EZ United Kingdom
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GXSA Annual Dinner -Friday 22nd March

The dinner will be at Gerrards Cross Golf Club, Chalfont Park, Gerrards Cross SL9 0QA.

Find out more
22 March 2024

Annual General Meeting

AGM and review of the year’s activities followed by plans for the summer events and autumn talks.

Find out more
13 March 2024
Colston Hall, Gerrards Cross Community Association, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
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Royal Clarence Victualling Yard – David Verghese

Until the early 1800s, ship provisioning and servicing was from small yards in Gosport and Portsmouth. David will explain how the Royal Clarence Yard in Gosport developed and how it victualled the Royal Navy from the pre-Victorian era to the late 20th century.

£5
Find out more
06 March 2024
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
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Boat Jumble and GXSA Member Talks – What we did last Summer

This is it – the annual opportunity to sell your unneeded sailing gear, books, charts etc. to your friends. A share of all proceeds will go to support GXSA.  This will be interspersed with some very entertaining accounts of GXSA members’ sailing trips last season.

£5
Find out more
28 February 2024
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

From Dinghies to the Fastnet Race – Ben Palmer

Ben was a highly competitive dinghy sailor as a teenager but then went into personal coaching while still enjoying some sail cruising. Always a racer, things got more exciting when he joined the crew of a highly ranked boat in the challenging 2023 Fastnet Race.

£5
Find out more
21 February 2024
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Pub Lunch with Country Walk

A walk in the country, with your friends…followed by a sumptious meal at a local pub.
Details TBC

Find out more
20 February 2024
Crown Inn, Penn, Church Road
Penn, Buckinghamshire HP10 8NY United Kingdom
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South of the River: London’s Cradle of Power – Jeremy Batch

The story of Greenwich, Woolwich and Deptford – building ships overseen by Samuel Pepys and fitting out for James Cook, Trinity House, East India Company, the Arsenal, the Seamen’s Hospital, the first steam railway and much more!..

£5
Find out more
14 February 2024
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Ice and Fire – Alison Vincent

Alison makes glass art but she also loves exploring remote wilderness and oceans. She will tell us about her sailing in the Drake passage and Svalbard, diving and swimming with orca in northern Norway.

£5
Find out more
07 February 2024
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Musings of a Freelance Delivery Skipper – Bill van Bommel

Bill is a Dutch mariner who started life at sea aged 15, initially in the Dutch Merchant Navy, but subsequently spent many years as a freelance Skipper-Engineer delivering motor yachts all over Europe’s inland waterways. He now lives on his boat in Windsor and has written a book about his remarkable adventures.

£5
Find out more
31 January 2024
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Lyme Regis or Bust: Unfortunately Bust – John Apps

John is one of our most accomplished GXSA sailors and was beginning to move his boat south for the winter. It didn’t quite work out that way, but events resulted in him meeting a man living in the Isle of Wight with an exceptional life-story skippering large sailing yachts

£5
Find out more
24 January 2024

Brunel’s Three Ships – Jim Cannon

Isambard Kingdom Brunel was arguably one of the greatest engineers of the 19th century. He built railways, bridges, docks and three ships that pushed the boundaries of marine construction, including the Great Eastern. It was the largest ship in the world at the time and laid the first transatlantic cable.

£5
Find out more
17 January 2024
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Wildlife of Galapagos, South Georgia and Falkland Islands – Peter Brinsden

Peter is a retired hospital consultant and also served as an RN Surgeon Commander. He enjoys wildlife photography and will tell us about his journey in the footsteps of Darwin in Galapagos, and show us the amazing scenery and wildlife of the South Atlantic Islands.

£5
Find out more
10 January 2024
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Cast Off for Christmas

All the usual fun with short entertaining talks from members, photo competition, quiz and seasonal refreshments. Photos for the competition should be printed A5 or smaller; no online entries this year but the usual 3 categories – sailing/boating, scenic, humorous.

Find out more
13 December 2023
To be announced,

Solent to Svalbard – Bob Hendicott

Bob keeps his Rustler 36 in the Solent and had done all the usual sailing trips to Ireland, Spain, round Britain and the Azores. So, he set off for 80 degrees N, reaching Svalbard via Norway and explored the geography, wildlife and heritage of these northern lands.

£5
Find out more
06 December 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Seafarers Hospital Society – Sandra Welch

Many seafarers lead precarious lives with little medical support or fallback if they become stranded in foreign or UK ports. For over 200 years, the Society pioneered treatments, founding the Tropical Disease Hospital in London, and still supports sailors in every way.

£5
Find out more
29 November 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Hit by Whales and Equipment Failure – Julian Mounter

Julian’s extensive ocean sailing and racing experience and his role as a media executive led to him overseeing coverage of Volvo Ocean Races and becoming an OCC Mentor. He will entertain us with many stories about his sailing and (now) motor-boating.

£5
Find out more
22 November 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Blue Water Sailing and Racing – David Paul

David started as a successful Laser dinghy racer, reaching international level, but he is now blue water racing in the French Elite Offshore Championship. He will tell us about his impressive progression from land-locked Hanwell to racing offshore in the Bay of Bissau.

£5
Find out more
15 November 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Arctic Science with Vagabond – Eric Brossier

Eric and his family have sailed in the Arctic for many years, contributing to scientific programs and developing links with Inuit people. In 2022, Eric’s steel sailboat Vagabond was almost crushed by ice on Devon Island, Canada, witnessed only by polar bears.

£5
Find out more
08 November 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Uncommon Courage – Julia Jones

In her father’s records, Julia discovered accounts of yachtsmen (some famous, some she met as a child) who had important roles in WW2 commanding destroyers, submarines and undertaking sabotage. Could their love of sailing survive the harsh reality of war?

£5
Find out more
01 November 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

WW1 Torpedo Boat – David Griffiths

David and friends at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard have built a working replica of the small, fast torpedo boats used in World War 1 and the Russian War of Independence.  A Coastal Motor Boat for the 21st Century – its history, construction and 2023 sea trials.

£5
Find out more
25 October 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

William Dampier – Cathy Shelbourne

Born in 1651, Dampier travelled round the world three times – his scientific and natural history writing inspired Darwin and Captain Cook. His books were required reading for Nelson’s officers but he was also a successful pirate, as the Spanish knew to their cost…

£5
Find out more
18 October 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Boat Surveying – Nick Vass

Nick is a qualified marine surveyor, experienced boat builder and a yacht repairer. He will explain what to look for when buying a boat and the problems to be avoided.  He has also developed an emergency steering device to overcome loss or failure of a boat’s rudder.

£5
Find out more
11 October 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

2023 Beaulieu Rally (September 9th – 10th)

GXSA are organising a yacht rally to Buckler’s Hard on the Beaulieu River in Hampshire. 10 boats and 20 people are expected for the Pontoon Party, followed by Dinner aboard. Sunday will see us visiting the museum, or walking into Beaulieu.
Join us for a weekend of fun afloat.

£10
Find out more
09 September 2023

GXSA SUMMER PUB LUNCH

GXSA SUMMER PUB LUNCH 12.30 Tuesday 18th July 2023 at the FOX & PHEASANT, WINDSOR ROAD, STOKE COMMON SL2 4EZ Come and join us for a mid-summer pub lunch to […]

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18 July 2023

2023 Folly Rally (June 3rd – 4th)

We’re off to the well known hostelry on the River Medina.

£15
Find out more
03 June 2023

2023 Poole Rally (April 28 – May 1)

2023 May Day Bank Holiday Weekend – A mini cruise to Yarmouth, Poole, and Lymington.
See the main article for more information.

£40
Find out more
29 April 2023

2023 RYA First Aid Course

The RYA one-day course covers all the usual first aid subjects, but from a boating perspective.

It is aimed at anyone who goes afloat, whether on inland waters, rivers, estuaries or on cross channel passages.

Find out more
25 March 2023

2023 Annual Dinner

This year’s Annual Dinner took place at Harewood Downs Golf Club.

55 members and their guests enjoyed an excellent evening with speeches, toasts, presentation of the annual awards and a raffle.

£44
Find out more
24 March 2023
Harewood Downs Golf Club, Cokes Lane
Chalfont St Giles, Bucks HP8 4TA United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Annual General Meeting – for GXSA members and their guests

Review of the current year, finance update and election of officers. All followed by a look forward to our next year of Wednesday talks, boating and outings.

Find out more
15 March 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Malta to Nice -Bernie Smallman, and Two ways of Getting to Spain – Paul Farrell and John Dawson

Bernie will describe a Mediterranean passage. Paul and John will compare two ways of taking a boat to Spain. You can probably guess which was more comfortable..

£5
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08 March 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Too Much Med – Nick Mines

Nick will tell us first about his single handed, non-stop 1100-mile passage from Nice to Venice. The highs and lows of this were followed by returning with various crews, visiting many countries and ports on the way back. Candid admissions and telling observations.

£5
Find out more
01 March 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Sea and Ships, not the Titanic – Jeff Rozelaar

Do you know how Michael Caine got his name? Jeff frequently talks and entertains on cruise ships – for this evening, he will entertain us. His talk provides many interesting insights into life on the ocean waves, from the distant past to the present day.

£5
Find out more
22 February 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Stars and Satellites – Stokey Woodall

Stokey is a distinguished ocean sailor, author, navigator and raconteur, well known for his clear understanding of traditional navigation skills. He has sailed to the Azores 89 times! This is a new talk, full of interesting facts, entertainment, and of course a bit of navigation.

£5
Find out more
15 February 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

RNLI – David Banger

David will tell us about the history of the RNLI and the operations of the Teddington LBS on the River Thames.

£5
Find out more
08 February 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Round the Islands – Ann and Steve Crome

Ann and Steve will tell us about their experiences sailing round many of the islands in the UK. Lundy, Anglesey, Isle of Man, Ailsa Craig, Arran, Bute, Mull and Skye, navigation and things to visit ashore.

£5
Find out more
01 February 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

We Didn’t Quite Make It – Phil Haigh and John Apps

Phil planned to do the Round Ireland Race (starts in Wicklow, leave Ireland to starboard) and John set off on the Jester Challenge (from Plymouth to Newport, Rhode Island). Both had problems of different kinds but are fortunately here to tell us their tales.

£5
Find out more
25 January 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

My Boat – John Franklin

Design it yourself or buy from the factory? Everyone’s dream or a nightmare? John had his boat built to his own design and managed the build.

£5
Find out more
18 January 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Ice with Everything – Tom Cunliffe

Three tales of sailing to Greenland brought to life by the inimitable Tom Cunliffe

£5
Find out more
11 January 2023
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Cast Off for Christmas

For GXSA members and their guests.
Our usual mix of short presentations, competitions, quiz and festive entertainment.

£5
Find out more
14 December 2022
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

The Wonders of Cruising Japan – Kirk Patterson

Having previously worked in Tokyo, Kirk sailed from Canada via Hawaii and then spent six years cruising Japan, which he considers one of the world’s best cruising grounds. He will tell us about some of the challenges and provide some “How To” information.

£5
Find out more
07 December 2022
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Atta Boy MB436, Keeping History Alive – Chris Ashton

MB436 (Atta Boy) was one of the first petrol engine boats commissioned by The Admiralty in 1915 and was used mainly as an Admiral’s launch. MB436 was on HMS Royalist at the Battle of Jutland, decommissioned in 1923 and is now on the Thames near Marlow.

£5
Find out more
30 November 2022
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Harbour Master Sailing Challenge – Mark Ashley-Miller

Starting from Dartmouth in his 34ft boat Good Dog, Mark is trying to visit every Harbour Master in the UK. So far, he has sailed 6,000 nautical miles, visited 250 harbours, and interviewed over 200 Harbour Masters, all raising funds for the Seafarers’ Charity.

£5
Find out more
23 November 2022
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Why I Love my Boat – Roger, Gerry, John and Martin

Four different boats, four GXSA members (or maybe more, if their partners join in…) will tell us about their boats and why they love them. We shall hear details of their quite different boats, and some of the good (and maybe bad) times they have had with them.

£5
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16 November 2022
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Then and Now – Colin Palmer

In 1972 Colin and a friend bought Cooya, a 13m Linton Hope wooden yawl built in 1914. Highs and lows of Cooya will be compared to sailing today on his aluminium Ovni 32. How did we do without AIS, DSC, GPS, LEDs and most importantly of all, watertight decks?

£5
Find out more
09 November 2022
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Portsmouth Harbour – Becky Walford

Becky is Port Safety Officer Assistant, KHM Portsmouth, and she will tell us about the work of Portsmouth’s King’s Harbour Master Department. This will be with a small boat emphasis but also the management of larger vessels such as HMS Prince of Wales.

£5
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02 November 2022
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Understanding the Potential of GRP Boats – Andy Sutton

Most pleasure boats are made from GRP, but few people understand GRP or how boats are made. Andy works at the National Composites Centre and will explain the materials and manufacturing methods used, as well as some do’s and don’ts for your own boats.

£5
Find out more
26 October 2022
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Royal Yachts under Sail 1660-1842 – Brian Lavery

Ever since the Dutch gave Charles II a ‘yacht’, richly decorated royal yachts brought in new monarchs and ferried the aristocracy – until Queen Victoria discovered that steam was more efficient. Brian Lavery is Curator Emeritus at the National Maritime Museum.

£5
Find out more
19 October 2022
Colston Hall, Gerrards Cross Community Association, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Wooden World: the 18th Century Royal Navy – Philip K Allen

In his many novels set in the period from the 18th century to WWII, Philip uses authentic nautical detail. Here he creates a vivid picture of 18th Century life in the Royal Navy, the discipline, munitions, mutinies and the great sailing pioneers and vessels of that era.

£5
Find out more
12 October 2022
Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common,
Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD United Kingdom
+ Google Map

Chairman Presents GXSA at Southampton Boatshow

Our Chairman, Bernie Smallman, presented to Southampton Boat Show about the past, present, and future of GXSA

Find out more
23 September 2022

2022 Rally to Bembridge

We’re off to one of our favourite harbours, relaxing on the Isle of Wight.
Evening entertainment with a Pontoon party, followed by dinner at the Bembridge Sailing Club.
Early risers will take a morning stroll along the beach to Seaview.
Should be great !!!!

£35
Find out more
10 September 2022
Bembridge Sailing Club, Embankment Rd,
Bembridge, Isle of Wight PO35 5NR United Kingdom
+ Google Map

2022 Summer Lunch

Details Summer Lunch at the Black Horse. A very informal event; simply turn up, and enjoy the afternoon. We normally have about 20 GXSA members at the Summer Lunch, so […]

Free
Find out more
12 July 2022
The Black Horse, Fulmer, Windmill Rd, Fulmer
Slough, SL3 6HD United Kingdom
+ Google Map
11 June 2022
Salty’s Seafood Restaurant, Quay Street
Yarmouth, Isle of Wight PO4 1 0PB United Kingdom
+ Google Map
23 April 2022
Island Sailing Club, 70 High Street
Cowes, Isle of Wight PO31 7RE United Kingdom
+ Google Map

  • 2022 Spring Programme

     Programme Spring 2022

    Talks begin at 8.15pm.  Procedure to receive the  Zoom links will be sent to members and registered visitors at least one day before the talk. 

    Help on using Zoom for GXSA sessions can be found by clicking this link

    Wednesday January 12th

    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

    Wednesday January 19th

    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

    Wednesday January 26th

    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

    Wednesday February 2nd

    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

    Wednesday February 9th

    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 

    Wednesday February 16th

    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

    Wednesday February 23rd

    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

    Wednesday March 2nd

    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

    Wednesday March 9th

    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

    Wednesday March 16th

    Annual General Meeting

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

  • 2021-H2-Autumn-Programme

     Programme Autumn 2021

    Talks in Colston Hall begin at 8.15pm.  Additional Zoom invitations will be sent to members and registered visitors at least one day before the talk. Please note changed order of some talks.

    Help on using Zoom for GXSA sessions can be found by clicking this link

    Chesapeake Bay and Recovering Crashed Aircraft

    Brian Deacon

    Sailing in Chesapeake Bay was on Brian’s bucket list, and he managed to cross this off in 2017.  Separately, his career in aviation led him into aircraft recovery; not what he planned but an interesting subject.  Don’t worry if you are not a keen flyer, nor is he!  More details

    Wednesday October 20th

    The Saxon Ship Project

    Joe Startin

    The 625 AD ship burial at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk is important in North European maritime history. A digital reconstruction has been made and a reconstruction of the ship is now being built next to the River Deben to explore some of the purposes of the ship.  More details

    Wednesday October 27th

    Round Britain in Vela

    Jill Rogers

    Jill is a serving Army Officer who decided to take a break from “green camouflage” for 6 months and sail her Sadler 25 – Vela around Britain in 2019, doing most of it single-handed. Prior to the trip, she had only sailed alone occasionally…. More details

    Wednesday November 3rd

    Phoenicians were in America before Columbus

    Philip Beale

    Adventurer and Sailor, Philip Beale FRGS, will describe his journey sailing a Phoenician galley, the Phoenicia, on a 6000 mile voyage from Carthage to the Americas in 2019-20. One of the most interesting and important historic replica ship voyages of recent times.  More details

    Wednesday November 10th

    The Isle of Wight, England in Miniature

    Graham Horn

    Graham (a blue badge guide) visits the island frequently and has an extensive knowledge of its attractions, history and geography. Some of us know the island well and the talk will bring back memories, but most people listening also say “Well, I didn’t know that.”  More details

    Wednesday November 17th

    Rowing the Thames

    Tony Ayton and Isabel van der Ven

    Join Tony, Isabel and their double sculled, hand-crafted boat Papillon as they rowed 125 miles down the Thames from Lechdale to Teddington Lock in 2018. They will tell us about their boat (which they plan to bring with them!..) and what they enjoyed. More details

    Wednesday November 24th

    Resurrecting Dr John Snipe

    Jane Bowden-Dan

    When Nelson re-boarded Victory in 1805, he wrote to the Admiralty to commend the services of Dr John Snipe (Physician to the Fleet) to negotiate a supply of lemon juice for the Navy. We shall hear of his importance to the Mediterranean Fleet’s success.  More details

    Wednesday December 1st

    Mayflower Autonomous Ship

    Brett Phaneuf

    With no human captain or onboard crew, the Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) uses Artificial Intelligence and energy from the sun to travel further and reveal more about the ocean. We will hear about this and other innovative projects run by the ProMare company.  More details

    Wednesday December 8th

    Cruising in Indonesia

    Norma and Phil Heaton

    In 2009 Norma and Phil embarked on a seven-year circumnavigation in Minnie B, including lengthy visits to Indonesia and Malaysia starting in 2014. Their talk will cover weather, anchorages, culture, people, provisioning, landscapes and hazards….  More details

    Wednesday December 15th

    Cast Off for Christmas

    For GXSA members, the usual mix of short presentations about sailing incidents, photo competition, quiz and festive entertainment.  To make it more inclusive, this will now be a Zoom only event; we shall not meet in the Hall. Get your photos ready – categories are Humorous, Scenic, Sailing, Wildflower seeds. Maximum one photo per category, per person. To enter photos, you must log in to the GXSA web site and then you will see the link in the Events menu. More details

  • 2021-H1-Spring-programme-old

     Programme Spring 2021

    On line talks begin at 8.15pm.  Zoom invitations will be sent to members and registered visitors at least one day before the talk.

    Help on using Zoom for GXSA sessions can be found by clicking this link

     

    All Shipshape and Blackwall-fashion

    Jeremy Batch

    On the Blackwall side of the Thames, opposite the dome, lie the largest private dock in Europe and the locations of countless innovations in shipping and commerce. Jeremy will transport us through the amazing history of this part of London with his usual engaging style.  More details

    Wednesday October 14th

    Building and Arctic Sailing a Traditional Boat

    Will Stirling

    Stirling and Son Ltd are based in Devon and specialise in restoration and building wooden boats of all descriptions. Will Stirling will tell us about constructing his own impressive 43ft Gentleman’s Cutter and an exciting expedition in it to Jan Mayen and East Greenland.  More details

    Wednesday October 21st

    Shipwrecks of the Thames

    Robert Smith

    Rob will tell us about 12 ships out of the thousands that have sunk in the Thames, from a Roman cargo ship to a 17th century ship whose sinking shocked Samuel Pepys; a voyage through history that includes the ship full of explosives that is still there and a mysterious sinking in the Cold War.  More details

    Wednesday October 28th

    Do we really need all those Instruments?

    Stuart Gaunt

    In 1984 Marvin Creamer became the first and only person known to have sailed around the world without instruments.  30,000 miles. 18 months.  No Chart Plotter. No Decca. No RDF. No Sextant.  No Astrolabe. No Clock. No Watch.  What made him do it?  How did he do it?  More details

    Wednesday November 4th

    Nordic Odyssey

    Clive Woodman

    In 2004 Clive completed a ski traverse in the arctic winter of the whole length of Norway, from Telemark to Finnmark and then sailed south from Nord Cap along the whole Norwegian coast in his 19ft Cornish Shrimper (yes, 19ft…). Clive will join us from Germany to present this remarkable story.  More details

    Wednesday November 11th

    Passage Planning, Pilotage and Yacht Delivery in the Med

    Graham Thomas

    In October 2016, Graham helped to crew and navigate a move of two sailing school yachts from Trapani in Sicily to San Miguel in Tenerife. The journey of approximately 2000nm takes between 4-5 weeks and included interesting offshore sailing, weather, gear failure and being in close confines for long periods. The second part of the talk has a special focus on passage planning and preparation.  More details

    The talk on Edward Allcard has been postponed

    Wednesday November 18th

    Boat Building in Bucks

    Rob Johnstone

    Unlike many of us, GXSA member Rob Johnstone has something to show from Lockdowns 1 and 2. He will tell us about the trials and tribulations of creating the design, establishing a workshop space, building and (almost) finishing a 15ft lug sail dinghy. Her maiden voyage is imminent.  More details

    Wednesday November 25th

    Circumnavigation of New Zealand

    David and Andrea McKay

    David and Andrea McKay live in Tasmania and have made several crossings to New Zealand and elsewhere in the Pacific Ocean. In this video presentation, they take us on their 2013-2014 journey around New Zealand in their steel Van De Stadt Tasman 48, Diomedea.  More details

    Wednesday December 2nd

    The Right Knots for Red Knickers – and – The South Africa Route

    Jenny Crickmore-Thompson and John Franklin

    Jenny and John are GXSA members, currently in South Africa. Jenny will entertain us with some of their sailing experiences (from her point of view…).  John will explain their efforts to help ocean cruising yachts avoid the 2020 Indian Ocean cyclone season during the Covid19 restrictions.  More details

    Wednesday December 9th

    Annual General Meeting

    Review of the year, AGM and future plans for the rest of 2021.

     

  • 2021-H1-Spring-programme

     Programme Spring 2021

    On line talks begin at 8.15pm.  Zoom invitations will be sent to members and registered visitors at least one day before the talk.

    Help on using Zoom for GXSA sessions can be found by clicking this link

     

    All Shipshape and Blackwall-fashion

    Jeremy Batch

    On the Blackwall side of the Thames, opposite the dome, lie the largest private dock in Europe and the locations of countless innovations in shipping and commerce. Jeremy will transport us through the amazing history of this part of London with his usual engaging style.  More details

    Wednesday October 14th

    Building and Arctic Sailing a Traditional Boat

    Will Stirling

    Stirling and Son Ltd are based in Devon and specialise in restoration and building wooden boats of all descriptions. Will Stirling will tell us about constructing his own impressive 43ft Gentleman’s Cutter and an exciting expedition in it to Jan Mayen and East Greenland.  More details

    Wednesday October 21st

    Shipwrecks of the Thames

    Robert Smith

    Rob will tell us about 12 ships out of the thousands that have sunk in the Thames, from a Roman cargo ship to a 17th century ship whose sinking shocked Samuel Pepys; a voyage through history that includes the ship full of explosives that is still there and a mysterious sinking in the Cold War.  More details

    Wednesday October 28th

    Do we really need all those Instruments?

    Stuart Gaunt

    In 1984 Marvin Creamer became the first and only person known to have sailed around the world without instruments.  30,000 miles. 18 months.  No Chart Plotter. No Decca. No RDF. No Sextant.  No Astrolabe. No Clock. No Watch.  What made him do it?  How did he do it?  More details

    Wednesday November 4th

    Nordic Odyssey

    Clive Woodman

    In 2004 Clive completed a ski traverse in the arctic winter of the whole length of Norway, from Telemark to Finnmark and then sailed south from Nord Cap along the whole Norwegian coast in his 19ft Cornish Shrimper (yes, 19ft…). Clive will join us from Germany to present this remarkable story.  More details

    Wednesday November 11th

    Passage Planning, Pilotage and Yacht Delivery in the Med

    Graham Thomas

    In October 2016, Graham helped to crew and navigate a move of two sailing school yachts from Trapani in Sicily to San Miguel in Tenerife. The journey of approximately 2000nm takes between 4-5 weeks and included interesting offshore sailing, weather, gear failure and being in close confines for long periods. The second part of the talk has a special focus on passage planning and preparation.  More details

    The talk on Edward Allcard has been postponed

    Wednesday November 18th

    Boat Building in Bucks

    Rob Johnstone

    Unlike many of us, GXSA member Rob Johnstone has something to show from Lockdowns 1 and 2. He will tell us about the trials and tribulations of creating the design, establishing a workshop space, building and (almost) finishing a 15ft lug sail dinghy. Her maiden voyage is imminent.  More details

    Wednesday November 25th

    Circumnavigation of New Zealand

    David and Andrea McKay

    David and Andrea McKay live in Tasmania and have made several crossings to New Zealand and elsewhere in the Pacific Ocean. In this video presentation, they take us on their 2013-2014 journey around New Zealand in their steel Van De Stadt Tasman 48, Diomedea.  More details

    Wednesday December 2nd

    The Right Knots for Red Knickers – and – The South Africa Route

    Jenny Crickmore-Thompson and John Franklin

    Jenny and John are GXSA members, currently in South Africa. Jenny will entertain us with some of their sailing experiences (from her point of view…).  John will explain their efforts to help ocean cruising yachts avoid the 2020 Indian Ocean cyclone season during the Covid19 restrictions.  More details

    Wednesday December 9th

    Annual General Meeting

    Review of the year, AGM and future plans for the rest of 2021.

     

  • 2020-H2-Autumn-programme

     Programme Autumn 2020

    On line talks begin at 8.15pm.  Zoom invitations will be sent to members and registered visitors at least one day before the talk.

    Help on using Zoom for GXSA sessions can be found by clicking this link

    The Extraordinary Voyage of Mary Bryant

    John Apps

    The events that led Mary Bryant to sail from Sydney to West Timor in an open boat in 1790 provide an insight to the harsh conditions in the Australian settlements then. The Royal Navy’s response and how Mary subsequently became a celebrity in England is a little-known but remarkable story. John will explain both the legend and the facts.  More details

    Wednesday October 14th

    Travels with Tilman

    Bob Comlay

    Bill Tilman’s achievements rank amongst the greatest in twentieth century mountaineering and high latitude sailing. Bob Comlay crewed on two of Tilman’s high latitude voyages, earning a level of trust that gives him unique insight into the character of this self-effacing legend of twentieth century exploration.   More details

    Wednesday October 21st

    Boats, Planes (and Trains)

    Alastair Fischbacher

    What do dinghy sailing, going to sea as a cadet and ships officer, a flying instructor, coal mining and big bulk carriers have in common? Alastair links them through his experiences, career and other events. He is now co-Chair of the Sustainable Shipping Company.   More details

    Wednesday October 28th

    High Latitude Adventures

    Steve Brown

    Steve Brown will tell us about his sailing and climbing expeditions to South Georgia and Antarctica undertaken during his 33,000nm circumnavigation of the Americas that began with a successful transit of the North West Passage in 2014. More details

    Wednesday November 4th

    Walking the Coasts of England and Wales

    Chris O’Grady

    Chris walked the coasts of England and Wales over a period from 2002 through to 2017 – including a lot of time looking at the sea! We will learn about his experiences and the sights, sites and insights he encountered. More details

    Wednesday November 11th

    Teaching Oceanography in South Africa

    Isabelle Ansorge

    Prof Ansorge (head of the Department of Oceanography at the University of Cape Town) makes a return visit to entertain us again with her recent exploits, focussing on the SEAmester programme to teach and inspire interest in oceanography, marine life and climate change near South Africa.  More details

    Wednesday November 18th

    The Dutch Raid on the Medway

    Chris Tarratt

    The Medway raid in 1667 saw a Dutch fleet sail into the Thames and attack the British fleet at anchor in the Medway, causing a panic in London and winning a victory that helped bring the second Anglo-Dutch war to an end. But the peace only lasted for a few years…   More details

    Wednesday November 25th

    The Excavation of the Mary Rose

    Dawn Perrier

    Dawn worked as a diver on the excavation and salvage of the wreck of the Mary Rose. She will give us a fascinating insight into how the historic objects were recovered and tell us about the recently improved Mary Rose exhibition and the work of the Mary Rose Trust.  More details

    Wednesday December 2nd

    Sørlandet Tall Ship

    Knut Arne Gjertsen

    Sørlandet is the world’s oldest and most authentic fully-rigged ship still in active service and is operated by a non-profit foundation in Norway. Knut will tell us about the history of Sørlandet, her cruises, the management of Sailing Ventures, and the opportunities to join Sørlandet for voyages. More details

    Wednesday December 9th

    Cast off for Christmas

    For GXSA members and their guests, the usual mix of short presentations about sailing incidents, photo competition, quiz and festive entertainment. More details

  • 2020-H1-Programme-Spring

     Programme Spring 2020

    Talks begin at 8.15pm, bar and coffee open from 7.30pm

    Paddington: Motorboating in Europe

    James and Carol Littlewood

    Having sailed the coastline from the Norwegian Arctic Circle to La Rochelle, James and Carol decided to visit the “inside”. In 2014 they started to explore the gutters of France, the ditches of Belgium, the canals of the Netherlands and the big waterways of Germany.  James will talk about differences between “outside and inside”, will compare locks with crocodiles and will give a us a glimpse of French champagne country and the German Mecklenburg Lakes.  More details

    Wednesday January 15th

    Seabatical – a Caribbean adventure at 30 something

    Nick and Roxanne Creak

    In 2018 Nick and Roxy bought a 1989 40ft Westerly in Trinidad in the hope of being able to sail to Puerto Rico and back for the Caribbean honeymoon of a lifetime.  Armed with limited experience and a can do attitude they have recently returned with a smile on their faces and many stories to tell.   More details

    Wednesday January 22nd

    In the Footsteps of Shackleton

    Martin Thomas

    In 1915 Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance, was crushed in the ice of the Weddell Sea and sank. After drifting on the ice for 15 months, he and his men reached the uninhabited Elephant Island. He then set out on one of the most hazardous small boat journeys of all time and eventually reached South Georgia. Martin will describe his own adventure, sailing the Southern Ocean to South Georgia and then following Shackleton’s route across the mountains, the Shackleton Traverse.   More details

    Wednesday January 29th

    From Pushing Paper to Planing Planks

    Nigel Morris

    For 30 years, Nigel Morris was a project manager working around the world; then on 20 August 2018 he jumped ship and decided to become a boat builder.  He spent 40 exciting and challenging weeks at the Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis, learning woodwork and eventually building his own 21 foot boat in the final weeks of the course.  He is now practising his newly acquired skills on renovating a Dunkirk Little Ship.  More details
    Wednesday February 5th

    Sailing Small Boats to the Arctic

    Alasdair Flint  

    Alasdair Flint is the long-time owner of a 26ft wooden yacht called Sumara. He will talk about his penchant for sailing north to the Arctic. The talk will focus on his 2011 expedition to Jan Mayen to climb the world’s most northerly volcano but will also briefly cover his earlier sail to Spitsbergen and his recent trip to East Greenland with Will Stirling.  Alasdair will attempt to explain how careful planning, good kit and the right attitude can help mitigate some of the risks.  More details

    Wednesday February 12th

    Warrant Officer 1 Mick Gentry, Royal Navy

    Mick Gentry

    Mick has served for 43 years in the Royal Navy, which included 3 years Service in Her Majesty’s Royal Yacht Britannia from 1995 through to decommissioning in Dec 1997. Hear how the Royal Yacht was organised, what duty as a Royal Yachtsman entailed, and what life was like onboard. Mick will tell you of events that you will not have heard before and explain the uniqueness of Britannia in every detail.  More details

    (Alastair Fischbacher talk has been postponed)

    Wednesday February 19th

    Linnea 360: a UK Circumnavigation

    Alison Milne and Chris Smith

    No two sailing trips around the UK are the same; in the summer of 2017 Chris and Alison, newly retired, set off in their Malo 37 Linnea on what was, for them, a voyage of discovery. As well as recounting their story, they will share some tips on what worked for them in both the planning and execution of the trip and will hopefully inspire some in the audience to take the plunge with this UK sailors’ rite of passage.  More details

    Wednesday February 26th

    Sailing Last Summer and Other Tales

    Talks from GXSA Members

    With so many talks from visiting speakers about their accomplishments, we might overlook the achievements and adventures of our own members. We shall hear about some of their impressive sailing exploits in the Baltic, Netherlands, France, Spain, Portugal, BVIs, Bermuda and Azores and other entertaining stories. Visitors welcome, as usual. More details

    Wednesday March 4th

    The Golden Globe Race

    Barry Pickthall

    Barry Pickthall is a yachting journalist and photographer who has been covering international sailing events for over forty years. A former boat builder and naval architect, he was yachting correspondent of The Times for many years and is currently the Golden Globe Race Media Coordinator. He will tell us about the Golden Globe Race past, present and future.  More details

    Wednesday March 11th

    AGM, followed by 

    Review of the Year and a look forward to the coming sailing season and events.

     

     

  • 2019-H2-Programme-Autumn

     Programme Autumn 2019

    Talks begin at 8.15pm, bar and coffee open from 7.30pm

    Antarctic Antics

    David Bray

    David is a retired Master Mariner and an expert in dynamic positioning of vessels. He will tell us about his experiences working as Navigating Officer in the research vessel RRS “John Biscoe” in Antarctica during the 1970s. At that time, the technology was more akin to that of Shackleton and Scott than to the 21st century. He will tell us about Antarctica from the standpoint of operating a ship, including some of the more humorous episodes.  More details

    Wednesday October 16th

    Sailing in Robinetta

    Julian and Alison Cable

    Robinetta is a 22’6” gaff rigged wooden yacht launched in 1937 and designed for sailing the Irish Sea and Inner Hebrides.  Julian and Alison bought her in 2007 and will share their experiences cruising in this small but well-found boat, focussing on their 2016 circumnavigation of Ireland, illustrating their talk with photographs of the stunning coastline of this beautiful country.  More details

    Wednesday October 23rd

    Grandads Across the Atlantic

    Peter Ketley

     

    Grandads Neil Young and Peter Ketley completed their row from Canaries to Antigua in February 2019. It took 63 days and 22 minutes, giving them the world record for the oldest pair to row across any ocean, with a combined age of 123 years (at the start…). Both had previously served in the Parachute Regiment and they raised substantial donations for veterans charities.  More details

    Wednesday October 30th

    John Rea and the Northwest Passage

    Nigel Barraclough

     

    The North West passage in the Arctic North of Canada – a fabled alternative route to the East, which has long been the subject of controversy. There were several unfounded claims of success and more importantly the true “discoverer” was vilified and never given the proper credit by the Establishment.  Nigel will talk about the history and one of the (conveniently) forgotten heroes of Arctic exploration.  More details

    Wednesday November 6th

    Maiden and other Adventures

    Nikki Henderson 

    Nikki Henderson became the youngest ever skipper on the Clipper Race, bringing her boat in second overall in the 2017 – 18 race. She then went on to skipper the renovated Maiden from the UK  to Sri Lanka as part of the Tracy Edwards mission to empower and educate girls as a human right and was presented this year with the Yachting Journalists’ Association Yachtsman of the Year award for 2018. She will talk about these and even more amazing experiences.   More details

    Wednesday November 13th

    Stress-free Navigation 

    Duncan Wells

    Following on from his successful Stress-free Sailing book and Life Saver MOB retrieval aid, local sailing instructor and author Duncan Wells extends his simple but clever approach to give us Stress-free Navigation. Plenty of amusing stories and entertainment but also valuable lessons for us all to learn.  More details

    Wednesday November 20th

    A Beginner’s Guide to the Baltic

    Colin Wilson

    The Baltic – arguably one of the best cruising areas in the world – and it’s almost on our doorstep. Why visit, what might you find, how can you get there, how do we get back home again, what about language, isn’t it expensive? GXSA members Colin and Tricia discovered the answers to these and many other questions during two seasons dipping their toes in Baltic waters.  More details

    Wednesday November 27th

    Rout on the Riviera – Exercise Tiger – The Slapton Sands Disaster

    Paul Barnett

    We are in the heart of sleepy Lyme Bay on the night of April 28th, 1944 in readiness for Operation Overlord. Considered safe in home waters a loaded convoy sets sail. But by daybreak, two ships lay on the sea bed; one limping badly damaged and 749 souls missing – a scene of total devastation. Step forward 40 years to a tranquil scene and one man’s determination…..to recover a sunken tank!  More details

    Wednesday December 4th

    Historic Yachts and National Historic Ships UK

    Stuart Anderson

    What does it take for a historic vessel to make it on to the National Register of Historic Vessels? Stuart will tell the stories of some of the sailing vessels, including Gypsy Moth IV and Maidie. He will also explain the Shipshape Heritage Partnership Traditional Seafarer training for specialist skills required in operating and maintaining historic sailing vessels, with a short film illustrating how these skills are passed on.  More details

    Wednesday December 11th

    Cast Off for Christmas

    Members and their guests will enjoy  short presentations about sailing incidents, photo competition, quiz and festive entertainment, all accompanied by snacks and mulled wine. Bring your best pictures of the year for the photo competition, which will be in Boats and Sailing, Scenic and Humorous categories; please make prints no larger than A5. Photos will not be accepted by email this year.

  • 2019-H1-Programme-Spring

     

     Programme Spring 2019

    Talks begin at 8.15pm, bar and coffee open from 7.30pm

    Oceanography and Climate Change in the Arctic

    Dr Simon Boxall

    Simon is Principal Teaching Fellow in Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre at the University of Southampton. He heads up the science on the Cape Farewell programme focusing on the impact of climate change.  More details

    Wednesday January 16th

    `Allo, ‘Allo: the Story of Communications

    Jeremy Batch

    Jeremy will tell us how a combination of sums, soldering and stubbornness enabled Maxwell, Hertz, Marconi, Arthur C. Clarke, Julius Caesar and others to predict, prove, build and strengthen the communication systems we now take for granted, bringing us from flags and flares to VHF, SSB, G&T and GMDSS, and allowing you to see and speak with people on the other side of the world.   More details

    Wednesday January 23rd

    Five days immersed in the Java Sea

    Erik Vischer

    Erik tells the story of his Dutch sea-faring family and their experiences during WW2 in the Dutch East Indies. His father, a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Dutch Marine Reserves, escaped from the Japanese in a small boat but was recaptured. The whole family was incarcerated in Japanese POW camps – Erik will recount how the sea shaped their experiences.  More details

    Wednesday January 30th

    Sailing to Svalbard

    Frances and Gareth Watkins

    In 2014, Gareth and Frances decided to sail from the UK to Svalbard, a remote archipelago 600 nautical miles from the North Pole. The first step was to buy a boat. By mid 2015 they had achieved their ambition and were sailing their Hallberg Rassy 352 amongst the icebergs. More details

    Wednesday February 6th

    Clipper Race – Australia to Seattle

    Phil Haigh  

    At the end of January 2018 Phil joined Clipper Round the World yacht ‘Visit Seattle’ in Airlie Beach to crew on two legs of the 17/18 race. Three months later he arrived in Seattle with wider shoulders, 30 days growth of beard and a strong desire never to see another Chinese sausage again.  Join him as he talks about sail repair with a hammer and a hacksaw, surfing downwind on helm at over 20kt and tying bowlines on the foredeck in 80kt of wind.  More details

    Wednesday February 13th

    Man Overboard – Could you deal with it?

    Jonty Pearce

     Jonty, a retired GP and ex commodore of The Penguin Cruising Club, sails his Southerly 105 with his wife Carol from Milford Haven, and has a particular interest in MOB recovery. They contributed to a Cruising Association MOB seminar following a Yachting Monthly article ‘How an 8st woman recovers a 20st man’ and have given several lectures to sailing clubs on the subject as a result.  More details

    Wednesday February 20th

    Forgotten Craft

    Diggory Rose

    Diggory will talk about Boathouse 4 and the Forgotten Craft collection in the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. He will detail the work of the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust, the boats in the collection and the development plans for the next few years including the restoration of the Motor Gunboat 81 and the Armed Steam Cutter 26 as well as the construction of a replica of CMB4, a First World War torpedo boat.  More details

    Wednesday February 27th

    Admiral Lord Cochrane

    John Apps

    Remarkable story of a British Naval hero who was admired by Napoleon and was the basis for the fictional heroes in  “Hornblower” and  “Master and Commander”.   More details

    Storms in the Caribbean

    Bernie Smallman

    Bernie will describe weather events in the Caribbean, particularly the British Virgin Islands. She will cover how she and John first visited the islands, the story of the Wreck of the Rhone and (more recently) Hurricane Irma. More details

    Wednesday March 6th

    Boat Surveys

    Guy Nicholls

    Marine surveyor Guy Nicholls will talk about his work on yachts, what to look for when buying a boat, how to pre-empt a full survey by looking at some key items before making an offer and how to hide blemishes when selling.  He will discuss the most frequent problems experienced, with a few examples of specific boat types and general problems that occur; mostly, how we can look after our own boats better!  More details

    Wednesday March 13th

    AGM, followed by 

    Review of the Year and a look forward to the coming sailing season and events.

     

  • 2018-H2-Programme-Autumn

     Programme Autumn 2018

    Talks begin at 8.15pm, bar and coffee open from 7.30pm

    Marlin’s Mission

    Dave Selby

    Dave Selby is a passionate sailor who’s been fumbling around the east coast for years in Marlin, his 18-ft Sailfish, without dying once. In 2016 the PBO columnist set off on Marlin’s Mission to sail 340 miles up the Thames to London and on to Southampton to exhibit his boat at The Southampton Boat Show. The aim was to demonstrate that cost is no barrier to getting afloat.  More details

    Wednesday October 17th

    Ironhorse

    Rosemary and Alfred Alecio

    Alfred and Rosemarie Alecio, world cruisers, will first present a brief summary and comment on their 23 years of circumnavigation. This will be followed by an account of the untimely end to their adventure, when they were rescued in the Indian Ocean in 2015. More details

    Wednesday October 24th

    Islands in the Sun

    John Apps

    John will talk about some of the islands that he has enjoyed sailing to that will from time to time experience sunshine. Places like Bornholm, Rugen, Helgoland, Porto Santo and Rhode… He might even mention Thanet!    More details

    Wednesday October 31st

    Sharing the Solent – a Southampton Pilot’s perspective

    Captain William Hargreaves

    Everything you need to know about piloting large vessels in and out of Southampton, from planning to berthing and the requirements to become a Southampton pilot. Bill will tell us how it’s done and how he came to be a Senior pilot. This is your chance to meet the expert..     More details

    Wednesday November 7th

    The True Story of the African Queen

    Kevin Patience

    Almost everyone has seen the 1953 film ‘The African Queen’ starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. The film is set in German East Africa (now Tanzania) in the First World War.  New research by Kevin has identified the real events that were adapted to make the story. These are some of the strangest naval true stories to come out of East Africa at that time.  More details

    RNLI Christmas Cards will be on sale this evening – bring some money…

    Wednesday November 14th

    Vintage Boats

    Jane Percival

    Jane is the Commodore of the Thames Vintage Boat Club, whose members restore, maintain and use vintage boats. They also aim to keep a historical record of all traditional craft on the Thames. Her talk will include restoration of National Historic Ships, Operation Dynamo and the discovery of a missing Dunkirk Little Ship.  More details

    Wednesday November 21st

    Turn to Starboard

    Shaun Pascoe

    Turn to Starboard was founded by RAF Squadron Leader (Rtd) Shaun Pascoe.  The idea of using sail training to help Forces personnel overcome the challenges of transition to civilian life was inspired by Shaun’s own personal experience. This is a rewarding and uplifting story of how adversity can be turned into a very positive contribution to society.    More details

    Wednesday November 28th

    CHIRP

    Ian Shields

    An experienced shipmaster, Ian will provide an explanation of what ‘CHIRP’ is and its relevance to leisure users. His talk will include insights on misuse of equipment, interaction between high and low speed craft and examples of when CHIRP’s intervention has made a difference.  More details

    Wednesday December 5th

    The Defensive Towers of Britain

    Stuart Gaunt

    Throughout history, the tower has been the primary means of defence against attackers and invaders.  From lookout towers to battlements and sea forts. Stuart will show us how Britain has defended herself from offensive hoards in the past, present and future.  More details

    Wednesday December 12th

    Cast Off for Christmas

     Members and their guests will enjoy the usual short presentations about sailing incidents, photo competition, quiz and festive entertainment, all accompanied by snacks and mulled wine. Bring your best pictures of the year for the photo competition, which will be in Boats and Sailing, Scenic and Humorous categories; please make prints no larger than A5. Photos will not be accepted by email this year.

     

     

  • 2018-H1-Programme-Spring

     Programme Spring 2018

    Talks begin at 8.15pm, bar and coffee open from 7.30pm

    Shackleton – The greatest story ever told

    Geoff Selley

    Geoff Selley will recreate the original lantern slide lecture given by a member of Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 – 17 Antarctic Expedition. His presentation tells the extraordinary story of the survival of the ill-fated expedition using original words.  More details

    Wednesday January 17th

    Disaster Waiting – the Severn Bridge Disaster

    Paul Barnett

    The tragic tail of the 1960 destruction of the  Severn Bridge by two run away tankers. The talk will unravel several bridge myths and present recently unearthed documentary evidence relating to the bridge.     More details

    Wednesday January 24th

    Sailing the Baltic

    John Rugg

    John Rugg will tell how he and two other GXSA members brought his new boat home via the Kiel Canal, Friesian Islands and Netherlands inland waterways standing mast route. This was through the Ijsselmeer, down to the Westerscheld and back home via Dunkirk and the Channel in what became a F7.   More details

    Wednesday January 31st

    Sailing the Indian Ocean

    Bob and Elaine Hazell

    Bob and Elaine return from their successful circumnavigation to tell us about crossing the Indian ocean. The talk will focus on the sailing aspects, their chosen route, some of the many high points together with what went wrong and how they recovered – and the lessons learnt!   More details

    Wednesday February 7th

    First Aid at Sea

    Tom Sowerby

    Accessible Sailing for All

    Peter May

    Both from Bisham Abbey Sailing School, Tom and Peter will update us on nautical First Aid and tell us about current efforts to provide opportunities for people with a wide range of disabilities to enjoy sailing and other activities on the water.  More details

    Wednesday February 14th

    What your Navy is doing – and why it matters !

    Royal Navy

    A team of Officers, sailors and royal Marines, all of whom have been on active service, will explain what they do, how they do it, where they do it and what the future holds. They will be willing to answer any questions you may have. This will be followed by a short presentation by

    Saved from the RNLI

    John Apps 

    Entering the Western Approaches with salt water  in your engine fuel system, why would you call out the RNLI just because it is blowing a gale? All you have to do is find a quiet anchorage to fix the problem. Why put the Penlee lifeboat at risk again?    More details for both talks

    Wednesday February 21st

    The Mutiny on the Bounty and the Loss of the Vergulde Draeck

    Chris Tarratt

    Chris will describe how these famous events happened and the survival of some of the crews.  Although more than 100 years apart, both these events are about getting to safety in an open boat over a large tract of sea.   More details

    Wednesday February 28th

    Old Father Thames: Cruising the non-tidal Thames

    David Horn

    Based in Marlow, GXSA members Marion and David  have explored the noble river from Teddington to the limit of navigation in their 27’ motor cruiser ‘Naiad’. David will delve into history, literature, locks, bridges, boats and wildlife while ‘cruising’ along.   More details

    Wednesday March 7th

    Battle of the Atlantic – Convoys and Corvettes

    David Bray

    Captain David Bray, a Master mariner, tells the story of the desperate struggle to defeat the menace of the U-boats to Atlantic Convoys in World War 2 and preserve the essential supply of food and fuel. It is a tribute to the Merchant Seamen who gave their lives manning this lifeline. More details

    Wednesday March 14th

    AGM, followed by 

    Review of the Year and a look forward to the coming sailing season and events.

    Agenda and more details

     

  • 2017-H2-Programme-Autumn

     Programme Autumn 2017

    Talks begin at 8.15pm, bar and coffee open from 7.30pm

    Dianne Mannering

    Send Us Some Women

    When the Governor of Australia wrote home to Lord Sydney (yes, that’s why it’s called Sydney) asking for some women, he was sent Newgate Gaol’s worst offenders. This is the story of their amazing sea voyage and how these unprepossessing women reinvented themselves to help found Australia.  More details

    Wednesday October 18th

    Jules and Vanessa Dussek

    Cruising the Inland Waterways of France

    In 2006 Jules and Vanessa took their Southerly 115 through the French inland waterways to the Mediterranean, a retirement dream, and returned a couple of years ago. They will tell us about 2000 miles of rivers, locks, villages, cities, eating and drinking.  We can learn what is involved in making such a trip successful. More details

    Wednesday October 25th

    John Blake

    Charts

    John served in the Royal Navy and reserve for 16 years, leaving as Lieutenant Commander. He developed an interest in maritime history and has published several beautifully produced books on sea charts and other related topics. In recognition of his authorship, he was elected to the Royal Institute of Navigation. He will tell us about the development and roles of charts in navigation and war. More details

    Wednesday November 1st

    Bernie Smallman – Why we go Sailing

    Paul Farrell – Two Summers in Spain

    Two presentations from GXSA members on their 2016/17 summer cruises. Lots of good bits but also what went wrong !…   More details

    This is a programme change

    Wednesday November 8th

    Sue and Bob Garrett

    Baltic and Back in a Season

    Bob and Sue will tell us about their 6 month tour of the Baltic, starting from and returning to the Solent. They visited 9 countries and got as far as St Petersburg. How they prepared, the route and practicalities – everything you need to know for your sailing trip to the Baltic..  More details

    Wednesday November 15th

    Tony Roome

    Massey Shaw

    The Massey Shaw was built in 1935 to fight fires in London Docks and along the Thames, playing an important role in WW2  in the City of London and at Dunkirk. The vessel was recently refurbished and we shall learn about her history, current role and educational work planned for her future.  More details

    Wednesday November 22nd

    Colin Palmer

    Speed Sailing

    Colin collaborated with Malcolm Barnsley on the design and construction of high speed sailing boats, one of which was a forerunner to the record beating Vestas Sailrocket. How can it be that a kiteboarder can keep pace with an America’s Cup cat? What was it about Sailrocket, the current world record holder, that enabled it to reach 70 knots and could even higher speeds be possible – maybe 100 knots?   More details

    Wednesday November 29th

    Herbie Battye

    Oil & Gas projects in Ice Covered Waters

    After serving 20 years at sea, Capt ‘Herbie’ Battye worked ashore for an oil major in marine terminal and marine projects. The latter included shipping oil and gas from cold and ice covered regions. Tonight he discusses the projects and developments that are making this a reality and the complications of navigating in ice covered waters.   More details

    Wednesday December 6th

    Dick Leedham

    Reminiscences of a Mariner

    Dick Leedham joined the Merchant Navy at the age of 16 as a deck officer apprentice and was at sea for 17 years. He now runs his own company, specialising in on board navigation training. He sails his Westerly Solway – which he has had since 1981 – on the south coast. Dick will tell us about some of the more amusing things which happened to him during his time at sea.  More details

    Wednesday December 13th

    Cast Off for Christmas

    Members and their guests will enjoy the usual short presentations about sailing incidents, photo competition, quiz and festive entertainment, all accompanied by snacks and mulled wine. This will be a special Cast Off, supported by a kind donation from the will of Peter Batterley, former member of GXSA.

    Please get your photos ready for the photo competition. Boats and Sailing, Scenic and Humorous categories; prints no larger than A5 or email the photo to info@gxsa.org.uk

  • 2017-H1-Programme-Spring

     Programme Spring 2017

    Talks begin at 8.15pm, bar and coffee open from 7.30pm

    Peter Bruce

    Heavy Weather Sailing

    Peter Bruce is a well known author having published books such as Solent Hazards, Solent and Island Tidal Streams and a newly updated 7th edition of Heavy Weather Sailing. We look forward to learning how to deal with it and hope never to need the knowledge.  More details

    Wednesday January 18th

    Chris Tarratt

    A History of Time

    Chris is a retired jeweller with an abiding interest in the History of Time. He is a keen offshore yachtsman and has taught Navigation. Chris will tell us about the measurement of time over the years and how this has affected those who travel on the oceans.  More details

    Wednesday January 25th

    Richard and Cathy Brown

    A Stockholm Adventure

    Journalists Richard and Cathy have sailed round Britain and cruised the French Atlantic coast and north west Spain in their yacht Brave. Tonight they will tell us about equipping their new boat and sailing her in the stunning Stockholm Archipelago.   More details

    Wednesday February 1st

    Kevin Patience

    Scapa Flow – Salvaging the German Imperial Navy

    Kevin looks at some naval battles between Britain and Germany, the salvaging of 32 scuttled German warships and Scapa Flow as it is today. He uses contemporary photographs from  Ernest Cox, who led the difficult task, and newsreel from the 1920s and 30s.  More details

    Wednesday February 8th

    Philip Holt

    Donald Campbell – Across the Lake

    Phil will review the life of Donald Campbell, the only man to hold both the world land and water speed records in the same year. A behind the scenes look at that fateful day in January 1967 on Coniston Water to find the cause of the crash and a look at the current recovery of both Bluebird and Donald himself.   More details

    Wednesday February 15th

    Richard Thomas

    The Story of the Panama Canal

    Richard will cover the four centuries of endeavour that started with Christopher Columbus in 1502 to build transport links across the 50-mile isthmus at Panama. The story culminates with the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, and the 21st century improvements.  More details

    Wednesday February 22nd

    Commodore Gerry Thwaites RN

    The Royal Yacht – a bygone era

    Commodore Thwaites served 34 years in the Royal Navy, much of it in Submarines.  In the early 90s he was appointed Senior Engineer of the Royal Yacht Britannia. This talk looks into the day to day life on board “The Yacht” serving the Royal Family.   More details

    Wednesday March 1st

    Rick Lawrence

    2015/16 Round the World Clipper Race

    Rick will talk about his once in a life-time experiences on Garmin, one of the twelve 15/16 Round the World Clipper yachts. He raced through hurricanes and freezing conditions. Over 12,000 miles from China to Seattle and on to New York via Panama.    More details

    Wednesday March 8th

    Dr Chris Willard

    Birds of the Solent

    Chris, a bird watcher from the age of 8 and keen sailor, has lived half a mile from the Western Solent shore for 40 years.   He will introduce us to the wonderful range of  birds which might be seen anywhere along the 48 miles of Solent Shores.  More details

    Wednesday March 15th

    AGM, followed by

    Review of the Year and a look forward to the coming sailing season and events.

  • 2016-H2-Programme-Autumn

     Programme Autumn 2016

    Talks begin at 8.15pm, bar and coffee open from 7.30pm

    Elaine and Bob Hazell

    From Kiwis to Orangutans

    Elaine and Bob are on a Round the World Odyssey, and taking the time out to tell GXSA all about it. Their second leg took them from New Zealand to Borneo.  A fantastic tale of global adventure.     More details

    Wednesday October 19th

    Colin van Geffen

    Nelson and HMS Victory – Their Lives and Times

    HMS Victory is best remembered as Nelson’s flagship at Trafalgar in 1805. Speaker and artist Colin van Geffen returns to describe key successes and failures of two of our best known historical icons. We hear how their paths crossed, culminating at Trafalgar – and what followed.  More details

    Wednesday October 26th

    Helen Doe

    Cornwall – a Maritime History

    Cornwall has the longest coastline of any county in England and Wales and is the most maritime of counties. From pirates to privateers and from wars to world trade, Cornwall’s heritage is  much more than just Tin and Fish ! More details

    Wednesday November 2nd

    The Confessional – If I Had Known Then, What I know Now…

    Bernie Smallman & Stuart Gaunt

    Sailing is an education that we frequently forget.  This evening the floor is open to members with interesting stories to tell that will prevent other people having similar Adventures.  How many stories do you have?  We start the ball rolling with “Bernie’s Summer” and “Stuart sails to Guernsey”.  More details

    Wednesday November 9th

    Bob and Elaine Hazell

    Hongs and Pagodas

    Elaine and Bob are back to describe the third leg of their journey around the world on Pipistrelle, before they fly away to start “Leg Four”.  Singapore, Penang, Thailand, Myanmar and lots more in this passage.    More details

    Wednesday November 16th

    Peter Poole – Oilskins that I have known

    Mary Allan – A summer of joy,  …nearly

    Two GXSA members speaking this week. Amazingly, Peter still owns all the waterproofs he ever purchased and will tell us their stories. Mary will tell us about a lovely summer trip up the west coast of England, via Ireland and Scotland, that didn’t go completely to plan…    More details

    Wednesday November 23rd

    John Barry

    The How and Why of Tides

    Tides have a major effect on our time on the water and vary greatly around the world. Why do they happen and how do different tidal periods arise. How are tide tables predicted and why are the tidal streams always in the wrong direction for us..?   More details

    Wednesday November 30th

    Bob Shepton

    Sailing and Climbing

    Rev. Bob Shepton returns to give us an account of a further expedition, sailing and climbing in Greenland and Baffin Island with his team of star top climbers. The talk is presented with slides and an excellent film of the expedition.   More details

    Wednesday December 7th

    Malcolm Thorpe

    Bembridge Harbour

    Bembridge harbour – Visited by Many,  Known by Few.  Malcolm and his wife Fiona bought the harbour in 2011. He will tell us about the history and future of this important part of English heritage More details

    Wednesday March 16th

    Bernie and Stuart

    Cast-Off for Christmas

    All the usual fun and entertainment for GXSA members and their guests, with mulled wine. Photo competition in Boats and Sailing, Scenic and Humorous categories; please make prints no larger than A5.  Click here for GXSA Song lyrics

  • 2016-H1-Programme-Spring

     Programme Spring 2016

    Talks begin at 8.15pm, bar and coffee open from 7.30pm

    Jeremy Batch

    Going Boldly – Across, Beneath and Beyond the Ocean

    One of our favourite speakers, Jeremy returns to entertain us with a wide ranging and amusing account of marine historical developments that we all take for granted today.   More details

    Wednesday January 20th

    Giles Milton

    Nathaniel’s Nutmeg and Fascinating Footnotes in History

    Historian Giles wrote of the sea battles, brutality and skulduggery between the British and Dutch as they fought to control the eastern spice trade when nutmeg was worth more than gold, and tells of fascinating footnotes that make our past so intriguing.  More details

    Wednesday January 27th

    Graham Anthony

    “Sorely Tried”- the story of HMS Beagle, Fitzroy and Darwin

    The role of the Royal Navy was changing rapidly when ‘Beagle’ was launched in 1820. Graham explains how the Beagle voyages led to a nautical infrastructure that now allows us to roam the seas happily and safely.   More details

    Wednesday February 3rd

    Stuart Carruthers and Gus Lewis

    Future of UK Cruising – from the RYA

    Stuart is RYA Cruising Manager and Gus is Head of Legal and Government Affairs. They will explain the wide variety of contributions the RYA makes on our behalf with government and regulatory issues. Find out what are the most frequent enquiries and how we get good value from the RYA…   More details

    Wednesday February 10th

    Nigel Sharp

    Dunkirk Little Ships plus Wartime Leisure Sailing

    Commodore of St Mawes Sailing Club, Nigel is a lifelong sailor. He spent 35 years in the boatbuilding industry before becoming a freelance marine writer and photographer. The recent 75th anniversary of the Dunkirk rescue, described in his book Dunkirk Little Ships, makes this an excellent time to learn all about itMore details

    Wednesday February 17th

    Paul Farrell

    Summer cruises on Amoret

    GXSA member Paul finally got to visit the Azores!  He will tell us about his voyages on Tony Firth’s Amoret, focussing on last summer’s cruise taking in Spain, Portugal and the passage home from the Azores.  More details

    Wednesday February 24th

    Stephen Taylor

    Edward Pellew

    Edward Pellew, captain of the legendary Indefatigable, was the greatest British frigate captain in the age of sail. Left fatherless at age eight, he fought his way from the very bottom of the navy to fleet command. His biographer Stephen Taylor, an accomplished author, tells us the remarkable story.  More details

    Wednesday March 2nd

    Linda Crewe-Gee

    Girl’s Guide to the Southern Ocean

    Linda joined a small crew on a traditional Dutch tall ship for a voyage from Auckland across the Southern Ocean via Cape Horn to the Falkland Islands. Wild weather, hard physical work and occasional mishaps make this an inspiring story.  More details

    Wednesday March 9th

    Colin van Geffen

    Calshot – a Place in Time

    Colin explains the history of Calshot Castle and the Spit, from Saxon times to the present day.  It has been used  by the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coastguard in peacetime and at war. Pirates, smugglers, ship-wrecks, submarines and much more.   More details

    Wednesday March 16th

    AGM, followed by

    John DawsonBrittany or Bust

    GXSA members John Dawson and Bernie Smallman enjoyed a recent trip to Brittany on Burnadebt. John had been planning a cruise there since he was a teenager. Last year they finally spent some time there…..     More details

  • 2015-H2-Programme-Autumn

     Programme Autumn 2015

    Talks begin at 8.15pm, bar and coffee open from 7.30pm

    Professor Carl Ross

    How Deep the Ocean ? – Advances in Submarine Structures

    The importance of underwater exploration and challenges in making structures and vessels capable of exploring the great depths will be explained. Opportunities for retrieving vast quantites of methane fuel, for military activity and for applying similar engineering techniques in exploration of other planets will be discussed. Prof Ross has promised that no maths will be presented in the lecture!..    More details

    Wednesday October 14th

    Duncan Wells

    Single Handed Sailing Techniques

    GXSA member Duncan explains bullet-proof techniques for departing and returning to the dock, anchoring with confidence and getting an incapacitated casualty in the water back on board when short-handed, plus many other tips.  More details

    Wednesday October 21st

    Colin van Geffen

    Flying Boats of Southampton

    Colin takes us back to the Golden Years of the commercial flying boat era, when Southampton and its Empire flying boats led the world. He takes us from the beginnings in 1913 to the swansong in the 50s and later.   More details

    Wednesday October 28th

    Chris Smith and Cocky Taanman

    Unlikely Places: Albania and Ukraine

    Chris would like to know why he met only six other cruising yachts during his two weeks in Albanian waters. Is it the mines (6,000 destroyed in 2013), the lack of yacht-friendly harbours or just the reputation?  In contrast the Ukraine, now forbidden, made wonderful sailing for them in 2012.     More details

    Wednesday November 4th

    Julia Jones

    Ghost in the Cabin; Sailing Arthur Ransome’s Peter Duck

    Julia is an accomplished author. When she was 3-years-old, her father bought the wooden sailing ketch Peter Duck, which she now owns. She will tell us about how her experiences have encouraged her to focus on children’s adventure stories.  More details

    Wednesday November 11th

    Steve Huxley and Damien Oliver

    Coastguard: latest organisation and new Helicopters

    An opportunity to hear about what is happening at the MCA: Damien is responsible for ensuring the new search and rescue helicopters meet the needs of the agency and Steve Huxley MBE is Search and Rescue Communications Manager, based at Falmouth.   More details
    Wednesday November 18th

    Paul Barnett

    Purton Ships Graveyard

    Local maritime historian and Friends of Purton Chairman, Paul Barnett describes the Purton Hulks on the banks of the River Severn and explains their significance for marine history. More details
    Wednesday November 25th

    Jimmy Cornell

    Atlantic crossing planning and an Arctic voyage

    Having just completed a 10,000 miles voyage on his new yacht Aventura that took him from London to Greenland, Arctic Canada, Newfoundland, US east coast and the Bahamas, Jimmy will tell us about voyage planning, the new Atlantic Odyssey rally and some of his experiences.  More details

    Wednesday December 2nd

     

    Capt Ian McNaught

    From Cruise Liners to Trinity House

    With 40 years maritime experience, having been Master of the QE2 and Queen Victoria in his day job at Cunard before joining Seabourn, Ian then became Executive Director and now Deputy Master of Trinity House. He will tell us about these roles and he has some fascinating stories to tell.  More details

    Wednesday December 9th

     

    Cast Off for Christmas

    Members evening of short talks and festive fun

     

  • 2015-H1-Programme-Spring

    Programme Spring 2015

    Talks begin at 8.15pm, bar and coffee open from 7.30pm

    January 7th

    Presentations by GXSA Members

    Part 1  Steve DaishWhat could possibly go wrong? The perils of yacht delivery

    Part 2  Bernie SmallmanAntarctica in Comfort. South Georgia, the Falklands and Cape Horn   More details

    January 14th

    David Brook

    RNLI Poole Lifeboat building

    David leads 400 staff who design, build and repair RNLI lifeboats. He will explain how their engineering capability keeps the Search and Rescue service going and tell us about the new all-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, in which future Lifeboats will be built and maintained.   More details

    January 21st

    Rob Johnstone

    Remember to turn left this time

    We last heard about Vagabond when Rob left her at Balvicar after part 1 of his single handed circumnavigation of Britain. Now the rest of the tale includes a near capsize off Wells, confusion off Aberdeen, a raid through the Caledonian Canal and fog off the Old Man of Hoy.    More details

    January 28th

    Colin Gent

    World War 2 Destroyers

    Former GXSA member Colin will tell us about the engineering and armaments of Destroyers and their roles in escorting convoys and troop ships. This is backed up by stories of his own experience as an Electrical Engineer aboard HMS Caprice (a CA Class destroyer) in the Far East.   More details

    February 4th

    James Littlewood

    River cruising in Western Europe

    After 60,000 adventurous sea miles, James Littlewood has replaced his yacht with a 13m steel motor boat. He expected the change from sailing to provide a relaxing time on the inland waterways of Europe. He now considers “worse things happen at sea” to be a myth!    More details

    February 11th

    John Apps

    The Glory of the Ride

    He’s back, after 2 years and 26,000 Miles in his Rival 34. True to his motto “Passage Plans rarely survive the first Gale”, John Apps has sailed to Greenland, Brazil, Cape Town (twice..) the Southern Ocean, St Helena, Ascension Island and the Azores.    More details

    February 18th

    Terry Corner

    RNLI Top Tips for Boaters and some Rescues from Harwich

    Terry Corner keeps his boat at Shotley marina on the River Orwell. He is also RNLI safety team leader at Harwich lifeboat station. He will update us on current RNLI guidance and show us some of the more interesting and unusual rescues they have undertaken recently.    More details
    February 25th

    Simon Fraser

    The Grand Tour

    How Simon took his 43ft Hallberg Rassy from Chatham to Denmark through the inland waterways of Belgium and the Netherlands, all with the mast up. An enjoyable journey through picturesque towns, Nordeney and the Kiel and Eider Canals.    More details

    March 4th

    Ken Endean

    Four men in a boat

    The story of some remarkable yachting in peace and war. Ken Endean has published books and written for the yachting press for many years and he is also interested in maritime history. This talk presents a fascinating true story with the action shifting from sailing to all-out war and back again. More details

    March 11th
    AGM, followed by members’ sailing highlights 2014 plus a look at forthcoming Rallies
  • 2014-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    Programme Autumn 2014

    October 8th

    Tom Cunliffe

    Pilot Cutters Under Sail

    Pilot cutters were amongst the most seaworthy and beautiful craft ever built. Distinguished yachtsman Tom Cunliffe explains what brought them such an enviable reputation.  More details

    October 15th

    John Franklin

    St Peter’s to Saint Pierre

    Commodore of the OCC and GXSA member, John will tell us about recent cruising with his wife Jenny in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in their yacht, Al Shaheen.  More details

    October 22nd

    Bill Cumming

    Scottish Clippers

    Maritime historian Bill Cumming describes the development of these fast trading merchant ships built in Scotland from the late 18th century.       More details

    October  29th

    Jonathan Lewis

    Around the UK in the motor boat Gralian.

    Distinguished film maker Jonathan Lewis describes the restoration of motor cruiser Gralian and the experience of cruising in the Baltic and round the UK.     More details

    November 5th

    Gil Sharp

    Clipper Round the World Yacht Race  –  A Grandmother realises her racing dreams.

    Gil Sharp describes the joy and deprivation of the Clipper race, including the Southern Ocean, the Sydney to Hobart race and the North Atlantic.    More details

    November 12th

    Tim Barker

    Bipolar Cruising – The Adventures of Mina2 from the Arctic to the Antarctic

    Mina2 is one of the few amateur yachts to have sailed into both the Arctic Circle and down to Antarctica. Storms, ice and great scenery..   More details

    November  19th

    Sara Atkinson

    Sea Biscuits and Lido Cakes

    What it took to leave family, friends and a job to travel from Herne Hill to Barbados and how it was worth every minuteMore details
    November  26th

    Roger Taylor

    Creating and Sailing an Arctic Mini-cruiser

    Roger Taylor describes the re-construction of Mingming II, an Achilles 24, for high latitude sailing and describes her maiden voyage.    More details

    December 3rd

    Cast Off for Christmas

    Festive evening of short talks by GXSA members

    Mulled wine, mince pies and other treats – a little earlier than usual this year

    December 10th

    Bob Shepton

    The North West Passage – twice. Madness?

    2013 Apollo/Yachting Journalists’ Association Yachtsman of the year, Bob Shepton returns to tell us about his latest exploits and his new book – Addicted to Adventure.  More details



  • 2014-H1 – Programme – Spring

    Programme Spring 2014

     

    January 8th

    Invaders, Explorers and Shipbuilders – Jeremy Batch

    Entertaining account of early ship building on the Thames and Medway plus … Why was the Archbishop of Canterbury murdered at Greenwich Yacht Club? How did the Dutch sneak up the Medway to raid Chatham and how did Olaf the Viking make London Bridge fall down?

    More Detail…

    January 15th

    Shackleton:   Death or Glory  – CANCELLED
    Sebastien Coulthard and Alexander Kumar

    Expedition crew member Sebastien Coulthard and expedition doctor Alexander Kumar describe the preparation, planning and challenges in successfully recreating Shackleton‘s famous escape from Elephant Island in Antarctica to South Georgia in early 2013.

    More Detail…

    January 22nd

    Keep Turning Left:   Job Done! – Dylan Winter

    By making films from a small boat and visiting the harbours, estuaries and shallow spots other UK circumnavigators sweep past, Dylan Winter captures the real feeling of sailing. The highways and byways of the East coast as far north as the Firth of Forth provide an enjoyable evening of great films, wit and chat.

    More Details…

    January 29th

    A Tale of Two Cities – Martin & Shân Alexander

    Ups and downs of the participation of Spirit of Avalon in the 2012 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant fleet in London and crossing the Channel in 2013 to explore the Seine to Paris and beyond. Presented together with accompanying GXSA members: Ben Benest, Roger Havelock and Philip Young.

    More Details…

    February 5th

    Port of London Authority and role of the Harbour Master 
    Steve Rushbrook

    Steve is Deputy Harbour Master Upper, responsible for Teddington to Crossness, including the second biggest port in the UK and the busiest inland waterway for freight. He will talk about the challenges of navigating the Thames – including some rather hair–raising stories

    More Details…

    February 12th

    Round Britain with the Old Gaffers – Sue Lewis

    Not all the boats were old, or even gaff–rigged, but twenty boats sailed round Britain last summer to celebrate 50 years of the Old Gaffers Association, of which Sue is Secretary. Sue and her husband Howard sailed on their gaff cutter Bonify; good experiences, photos and tips.

    More Details…

    February 19th

    Butterflies, Bulls and Blarney – John & Freda Andrews

    Returning for a third presentation of Qwyver’s remarkable 6 year sail round the world, John and Freda focus this time on Islands in the North Atlantic, which make a splendid finale to their voyage. We can think of going to some of these places too!

    More Details…

    February 26th

    Through University on a 23ft boat, sailing near and far 
    Joe Pearce

    Joe was a student at Aberystwyth, and tells how he came to spend his student life living on board a small boat. We shall also hear about his adventurous trip down to his home on the Isle of Wight and a trip to Greenland.

    More Details…

    March 5th

    Pierhead Painters – Claudia Myatt

    The story of the 19th century harbour–side artists who earned a living by painting ships as they anchored and then selling the paintings to the ship’s captains. Accomplished artist Claudia Myatt explains from an artist’s and a sailor’s viewpoint.

    More Details…

    March 12th

    AGM, followed by Rallies and Events 2013 – Stuart Gaunt

    A whistle stop tour through the GXSA social events from 2013 and a look forward to our plans for summer 2014. Enjoy re–living the fun and experiences, or see what you missed.

     


    The Autumn 2014 talks programme will start on 8th October, 2014

  • 2013-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    Programme Autumn 2013

    Circle Line: Around London in a small boat – Steffan Meyric Hughes

    In 2009, Steffan sailed and rowed a dinghy around London, writing an entertaining and best-selling book about his experiences in 2012. Hear Steffan talk about this voyage, and some of the other adventures and mishaps in eight years of yachting journalism.

    Portsmouth and Southampton: a maritime contrast
    Graham Horn

    Graham Horn explores the history of merchant port Southampton and premier Naval base Portsmouth, delves into their rivalries and reveals why they came to take on such different roles. Whether it is shipbuilding, trade, defence or football, Portsmouth and Southampton have had a long rivalry. Some 2,000 years in fact. Blue badge Guide Graham will get you to think of the area in a new light when next sailing in the Solent.

    A Life Under and Over the Waves – 
    Stephen Golliker

    Growing up in South Africa sailing dinghies, Stephen has since sailed in submarines for the South African navy, sailed through time on a historical re-enactment in the Bartolomeu Dias, sailed on the Olympics first 49er racing circuit and covered developments in ocean racing.

    Sailing around the UK – Against the Clock 
    Gordon Harold

    In 2006, Gordon, a long standing GXSA member sailed around the UK in his Contessa 32. The trip proved to be challenging and rewarding – both on and off the water – there are yarns a plenty …

    U-boats, Giant Waves and Climate Change –
    Isabel Ansorge

    A return visit by Dr Ansorge (University of Cape Town) reporting on the brand new Agulhas II research vessel and her Antarctic trials. Isabel will describe new insights into unusual ocean currents, giant waves along the African coasts and climate change developments.

    All about Ropes – Justin Jones

    Justin Jones is Marine Manager at English Braids and will tell us about the history of the company, different types of ropes and how they are made. The evening will conclude with entertaining demonstrations of various types of rope splicing.

    Rum, Sodomy and the Lash – Martin Thomas

    Accomplished sailor, surgeon and former OCC Commodore, Martin Thomas describes naval traditions and medicine in the age of sail. Scurvy, amputation, surgery at sea, the press gang and the death of Nelson. Not for the squeamish but certainly an interesting evening…

    Caribbean Cruising without a budget – 
    John Gorrie

    GXSA member John reports on the pleasures of sailing last winter on the ‘Wind Star’ a four-masted 110m sailing yacht. Large beds, flat-screen TV, gourmet cuisine, casino, library, pool and hot tub – all sounds a bit different from our normal GXSA rallies but good to learn how the other half live.

    Sailing and boat maintenance – Vyv Cox

    Vyv Cox is a mechanical engineer, metallurgist, contributor to Yachting Monthly and keen photographer, who has sailed extensively in cruising yachts. Vyv will share his expertise on yacht maintenance and engineering problems, and describe his cruising in the Mediterranean.

    Cast Off for Christmas

    More entertaining stories from members about their year’s sailing experiences plus mince pies and seasonal refreshments.
  • 2013-H1 – Programme – Spring

    Programme Autumn 2013

    January 9th

    2013

    Child of the Sea – Doina Cornell

    Based on her book ‘Child of the Sea’; Doina sailed around the world with her parents. She will paint an intimate portrait of family life on board a small yacht in the bygone era of low-tech cruising and travelling far off the beaten track to Pacific islands that even now few yachts visit.
    January 16th

    A Caribbean experience – Ray Bridges

    Since arriving in the Caribbean on board ‘Sonar’ in time for Christmas 2009, Ray has set up a base in Grenada and spent three seasons there exploring these exotic cruising grounds. Good sailing and plenty of warm, sunny pictures to help cheer up a dark winter’s evening.
    January 23rd

    From Sadler to Starlight – Nigel Thomas

    Nigel, President of the Sadler and Starlight Owners Association and one time Chairman of GXSA, looks at the history of the various companies and the popular range of Sadler and Starlight yachts from the first Sadler 25s and 32s via the Barracuda and ‘Howards Way’ to the most recent Sadler 290.
    January 30th

    On top of the World: studying the Arctic Ocean – Helen Johnson

    The Canadian Arctic Archipelago connects the Arctic Ocean to the Atlantic. University of Oxford Scientist Helen will describe recent research expeditions to the region as well as current understanding of the ocean circulation and its role in global climate.
    February 6th

    Circumnavigation of Sweden – Roger Mustoe

    Roger lived for four years in Norway in a house with a mooring; it just needed a sailing boat. Two summers were then spent sailing from Sweden to Norway and back. A tale of endless days, endless gale force winds, a broken engine, a bent prop shaft and … some sailing
    February 13th

    From Oars to Jet Propulsion – Jeff Carter

    A technical history of the lifeboat from the earliest known on in the UK to the latest RNLI boats in development. Jeff is an engineer and provides a unique perspective on the significant advances made over the years.
    February 20th

    From City Streets of the Open Seas – Nick Beck

    A jovial tale of how two city workers came to find themselves building the 44 foot Pilot Cutter ‘Amelia Rose’ and founded Topsail Adventures. The boat also featured in ITV’s “Hungry Sailors” programme so this talk should be a feast for all tastes!
    February 27th

    All About Ropes – Julian Tucker

    Julian Tucker managing Director of English Braids, will tell us about the history of the company, different types of ropes, how they are made and conclude with some enlightening demonstrations of various types of rope splicing.
    March 6th

    Vagabond wanders round Britain – Rob Johnstone

    Sometime in 2010, GXSA member Rob thought it would be a good idea to buy an old boat, do her up and sail round Britain before the Zimmer took pride of place in his home. The reality is both different and fascinating – come along and hear the actual story.
    March 13th

    AGM followed by a film presentation: 
    ‘Keep Turning Left’ – Dylan Winter

    An interesting, amusing and original view of sailing on the East Coast and Norfolk Broads in a (very) small boat.
    Saturday 13th April

    Annual Dinner – Beaconsfield Golf Club

  • 2012-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    Programme Autumn 2012

    Ruffling the Parrot’s Feathers: 
    10,000 miles across the Pacific – John Apps

    Accomplished long distance sailor, 3 times Jester Atlantic Challenge competitor and GXSA member, John Apps describes his 2011 voyage from the Caribbean to Australia in his usual entertaining style.

    New England Sailing – Roger Shaw

    Tales of sailing from Long Island Sound out to Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod and Nantucket over seven years, including how to avoid a US submarine in fog and many other stories.

    Cruising in the Adriatic – Stuart Bradley

    Stuart Bradley and his crew have spent four seasons cruising the area from Venice to Dubrovnik along the Croatian coast and islands – “ the Mediterranean as it used to be”.

    Rowing the Atlantic in support of Human Rights – Debbie Beadle

    Remarkable story of how Debbie Beadle lead a record breaking 45 day rowing boat Atlantic crossing last winter. Many problems but determination and resilience saw them through. Debbie manages the Youth Programme at a leading children’s rights charity and the trip was devised to raise awareness about child trafficking.

    Marine Accident Investigation – Nick Hance

    Inspector of Marine Accidents, Nick Hance will describe how the MAIB investigates accidents in merchant ships, small commercial vessels and in leisure craft. Example cases, including recent investigations, will be instructive and raise issues for discussion.

    Adventures in the Ice – Dick Turnbull

    Sailor, climber and retailer, Dick Turnbull will describe his trip from Oban to Spitzbergen. In addition to the sailing, Dick scaled some of the Lofoten mountains. There were some hair raising moments escaping from an ice pack, assisted by an ice breaker.

    Sailing down the Danube in Sea Griffin – Neil Lynn

    Taking a boat through the heart of historic Europe from the Baltic to the Black Sea over two sailing seasons. Locks and dams, impressions of the journey, the oddities, people, the history but most of all the interest.

    The Making of a Yachtsman’s Pilot – Dick Holness

    Dick is co-author of East Coast Pilot, the definitive guide to East Coast creeks and backwaters. How did the Pilot come about and how it is kept up to date? Interesting local stories and ideas about the future role of such publications in the electronic age.

    The Shetland Bus – Stephen Howarth

    Stephen’s father David was in day to day operational command of the SOE unit that transported secret agents and weapons between the Shetland Isles and occupied Norway during the winter months of 1940⁄1945. His 1951 book ‘the Shetland Bus’ is still selling steadily today.

    Cast Off for Christmas

    More entertaining stories from members about their year’s sailing experiences plus mince pies and seasonal refreshments.
  • 2012-H1 – Programme – Spring

    Spring 2012

    Navigation: From Galileo to Galileo – Jeremy Batch

    Which prehistoric navigational device played a vital part in the moon landings? How did Deptford Sailing Club get put in charge of pilotage and buoyage? How did submarine USS Skate find Ice Station Alpha, when the “station” had no idea where it was? All this and more in Jeremy’s usual entertaining style.

    Sydney to Hobart Race 2006 – Charles Sandison

    A Father and Sons race “down under”. Charles will explain the history of the race and his preparations in the UK, together with the build up in Sydney and the race itself.

    Cruising to Norway and the Arctic Circle 
    James & Carol Littlewood

    During 2011 James and Carol sailed from Harwich to the Arctic Circle and back in their Moody Eclipse, Paddington IV. Their many adventures included responding to a Pan Pan relay off Narvik, cycling down mountains and powering up a 6400 horsepower fast ferry.

    Recent Marine Science Discoveries – Anna Hickman

    From ocean conveyor belts to the origins of life on Earth: Anna Hickman, research fellow from the University of Southampton and the Challenger Society for Marine Science, will explain research and discovery at the cutting edge of marine science.

    The Last Blue Water Rally – John Hazell

    John and his boat Fai Tira took part in the last Blue Water Rally, a round-the-world rally specifically for cruising sailors. He will talk about his near circumnavigation, the many problems overcome and the final difficulties due to the pirates in the Indian Ocean.

    Racing and RORC – Peter Rutter

    Are all racing men mad?? Former Commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and winner of the 2011 IRC National Championship title, Peter Rutter tells how he has run a series of successful racing boats, won many races and the role of RORC.

    Admiral Robert Fitzroy, first Head of the Met Office 
    Gordon Tripp

    Famous as the man who sailed Charles Darwin round the world, what more do we know about this remarkable Victorian and sailor who also did pioneering work on weather forecasting.

    Scilly Pleasures and Precautions – Ken Endean

    Everybody wants to visit the Isles of Scilly: Ken returns to tell us how to navigate around and between the islands, how to stay safe when the weather is bad and how to enjoy ourselves when the weather is good.

    Sailing Atlantic and Pacific – Bob Hazell

    Bob & Elaine Hazell left the UK in 2008 to realise a life’s ambition. Here they recall the last 9 months fantastic experience of their South Pacific Crossing from the Panama Canal to New Zealand, and visiting many of the stunning islands en route.

    AGM : followed by 
    The Creation of the Bell Rock Lighthouse 1807–11 
    Roland Paxton

    Professor Roland Paxton of Heriot-Watt University and the Institution of Civil Engineers’ Panel for Historical Engineering Works will tell us how this wonder of the industrial world was achieved on a rock up to 5 metres below high water and 11 miles out to sea.

  • 2011-H2 – Programme – Autumn old

     Programme Autumn 2011

    Unique Hurtigruten – Lucy Hone

    From the Norwegian Shipping Company, a history of Hurtigruten and where they go: Norway, Spitsbergen, Greenland and Antarctica, illustrated talk with superb photos. 2011 has been declared the Nansen – Amundsen year in Norway to honour the two polar explorers.

    Qwyver Travels On – John Andrews and Freda Haylett

    John and Freda return to tell us about the next part of their voyage, from New Zealand to Brazil via Australia and South Africa.

    White Nights in the Baltic – Douglas Addison

    Starting from Turku in Finland and sailing around the Northern Baltic, including Latvia, Estonia and Sweden, Douglas discovered windmills, painted wooden houses, Orthodox Churches, Lutheran Cathedrals ….and saunas

    Cruising the Wild West – Robert Fellowes

    Spitzbergen or west coast of Ireland? Robert will describe his cruise to either Ireland or Spitsbergen depending on whether he managed to get to Spitsbergen during the summer of 2011!

    National Historic Ships Society – Martyn Heighton

    Martyn Heighton, Director, National Historic Ships will tell us about vessels currently on the National Register of Historic Vessels and the Historic Fleet, problems they face and the solutions the National Register is planning to achieve.

    The Plimsoll Line – Nicolette Jones

    What inspired the London Transport logo, banished coffin-ships and saved thousands of sailors lives? The story of an MP’s campaign to improve the lot of sailors – battling ship owners and parliament, who were more interested in profits than sailors’ lives.

    The RYA: the best possible Life Sentence – James Stevens

    We welcome back James Stevens, recently retired as head of RYA training and examining to reminisce on his long career with them, and his thoughts on the changing world of sailing.

    GXSA MasterClass On Ocean Sailing

    Acknowledged expert and well known author Jimmy Cornell provides a unique insight. This is an open meeting organised by GXSA. Members of other clubs and the RYA Thames Valley section are invited to join us. 

    Further details and booking arrangements will be posted on the home page as they emerge

    Sydney to Hobart Race 2006 – Charles Sandison

    A Father and Sons race “down under”. Charles will explain the history of the race and his preparations in the UK, together with the build up in Sydney and the race itself.

    Traditional Boatbuilding on the Thames – Colin Henwood

    Colin is one of a new generation of Thames Boatbuilders who are continuing the traditions of restoring, maintaining and building elegant Thames craft. His enthusiasm, together with stunning photographs of some of the finest boats on the Thames, make his talk interesting for us all.

    Cast Off for Christmas

    More entertaining stories from members about their year′s sailing experiences plus mince pies and seasonal refreshments.

  • 2011-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    Programme Autumn 2011

    Unique Hurtigruten – Lucy Hone

    From the Norwegian Shipping Company, a history of Hurtigruten and where they go: Norway, Spitsbergen, Greenland and Antarctica, illustrated talk with superb photos. 2011 has been declared the Nansen – Amundsen year in Norway to honour the two polar explorers.

    Qwyver Travels On – John Andrews and Freda Haylett

    John and Freda return to tell us about the next part of their voyage, from New Zealand to Brazil via Australia and South Africa.

    White Nights in the Baltic – Douglas Addison

    Starting from Turku in Finland and sailing around the Northern Baltic, including Latvia, Estonia and Sweden, Douglas discovered windmills, painted wooden houses, Orthodox Churches, Lutheran Cathedrals ….and saunas

    Cruising the Wild West – Robert Fellowes

    Spitzbergen or west coast of Ireland? Robert will describe his cruise to either Ireland or Spitsbergen depending on whether he managed to get to Spitsbergen during the summer of 2011!

    National Historic Ships Society – Martyn Heighton

    Martyn Heighton, Director, National Historic Ships will tell us about vessels currently on the National Register of Historic Vessels and the Historic Fleet, problems they face and the solutions the National Register is planning to achieve.

    The Plimsoll Line – Nicolette Jones

    What inspired the London Transport logo, banished coffin-ships and saved thousands of sailors lives? The story of an MP’s campaign to improve the lot of sailors – battling ship owners and parliament, who were more interested in profits than sailors’ lives.

    The RYA: the best possible Life Sentence – James Stevens

    We welcome back James Stevens, recently retired as head of RYA training and examining to reminisce on his long career with them, and his thoughts on the changing world of sailing.

    GXSA MasterClass On Ocean Sailing

    Acknowledged expert and well known author Jimmy Cornell provides a unique insight. This is an open meeting organised by GXSA. Members of other clubs and the RYA Thames Valley section are invited to join us. 

    Further details and booking arrangements will be posted on the home page as they emerge

    Sydney to Hobart Race 2006 – Charles Sandison

    A Father and Sons race “down under”. Charles will explain the history of the race and his preparations in the UK, together with the build up in Sydney and the race itself.

    Traditional Boatbuilding on the Thames – Colin Henwood

    Colin is one of a new generation of Thames Boatbuilders who are continuing the traditions of restoring, maintaining and building elegant Thames craft. His enthusiasm, together with stunning photographs of some of the finest boats on the Thames, make his talk interesting for us all.

    Cast Off for Christmas

    More entertaining stories from members about their year′s sailing experiences plus mince pies and seasonal refreshments.
  • 2011-H1 – Programme – Spring

    Spring 2011

    World Cruising Destinations – Jimmy Cornell

    Distinguished sailor and author Jimmy Cornell has completed ocean passages in all parts of the world including the Antarctic and the Pacific, illustrated in his new book entitled World Cruising Today. Excellent pictures and fine sailing.

    An Atlantic Crossing – Ray Bridges

    Our vice chairman, Ray was sailing dinghies until just a few years ago. In spring 2010 he sailed Sonar, his Island Packet 440 to the Caribbean and will describe the voyage and the warm cruising grounds he has explored there. A good talk for a January evening.

    Around the World – Rory McDougall

    Rory’s Wharram Tiki 21 is the smallest multihull to circumnavigate the world at just 21ft in length. With no engine and navigating by sextant and compass, the voyage was a wonderful discovery of islands, nature and cultures, all experienced in a simple and non-intrusive way.

    The RNLI : An insider’s View – Paul Boissier

    What is 186 years old, costs £380,000 a day to run, builds boats and saves a life a day? Find out from the RNLI’s Chief Executive, who once qualified as a brewer of Guinness and then went round the world in a submarine.

    How to Write a Sea Story – Sam Llewellyn

    Author of many novels, accomplished sailor and frequent columnist in sailing magazines, Sam returns to entertain us with his humorous insight on all matters maritime. He believes that telling stories is the summit of human achievement and will convince you with this talk.

    Europe’s Waterways: Down the Danube 
    Philip and Phyl Cook

    Philip “&” Phyl designed and managed the building of their 21m motor boat, Zingara, which they took on inland European waterways from France to Romania, travelling on the Rhine, Main and Danube. They returned via the Mediterranean in 2009.

    Cruising the Western Isles
    David Horn and Rob Johnstone

    GXSA members David and John explored the Hebrides and St Kilda in the summer of 2010. Fine pictures, good stories and helpful sailing advice about this excellent cruising area will convince you to visit.

    Sailing the North Aegean Sea
    Karin and Andrew Wilkinson

    Mediterranean experts and former GXSA members, Karen and Andrew describe their recent voyage exploring the Northern Aegean islands and changes on the sailing front that they have seen in the Mediterranean in the past 10 years.

    Jester Challenge 2010 – John Apps

    This was John’s third Jester Challenge, a biannual single handed trans-Atlantic event for yachts under 30 ft in length. Sailing his UFO 27 “Glayva” he completed the crossing to Newport, Rhode Island in 50 days and was presented with the Newport Medal in recognition of his achievement.

    45th Annual Dinner at Buckinghamshire Golf Club, Denham

     

  • 2010-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    Autumn 2010

    London’s More Important River

    Jeremy Batch

    Jeremy returns following his talk last year on the historical importance of Limehouse Basin, where he is a lock keeper. He will extend this theme with what we know will be a polished, humorous and enlightening evening delving into the background and history of London’s more important river. 
    It’s not the Thames!

    Beneath the Stars at the North Pole

    Eric Brossier

    Eric Brossier, distinguished high latitude sailor, visits from La Rochelle to describe five winters spent in Spitsbergen aboard “Vagabond” to study Arctic Ocean sea ice and its future. His 2008 book “Circumpolaris” won the Prix de l’Académie Marine award.

    The Dance of the Little Green Dots

    Alan Watson

    Alan Watson will demonstrate how to identify potential collision situations on the radar using both traditional methods and MARPA (Mini Automatic Radar Plotting Aid). The talk will be illustrated with computer simulations as well as screen shots from the radar on his own boat in the Solent and Channel.

    Le Four to La Rochelle

    Liz and Mick Wigfield

    A Personal Pilot of the Ports of North Biscay and the passages between them compiled from the logs of Kemari, Liz and Mick Wigfield’s Westerly Fulmar.

    Two Summers in the Baltic

    James and Carol Littlewood

    James and Carol spent the summers of 2008 and 2009 in their Moody Eclipse 38 “Paddington Bear”. Their trip covered the East Coast of Sweden, the Gota and Trollhaten canals, Poland and the Baltic States. Their illustrated talk will cover all aspects of their trips, including some things that weren’t meant to happen!

    The Moody Story

    David Moody

    In 2005 the family business of AH Moody and Son was sold after 175 years of trading from the same site at Swanwick on the River Hamble. David Moody has documented the Yachts that were built by the Company, initially for his own family, and has produced a successful book of the whole Moody story.

    Saturday Special – Boat Electrics
    A Day with Art Butler

    Art is the owner and “hands-on” specialist of a yacht electrics and electronics company based on the East Coast. He will bring us right up to date on current issues and give some guidance on choosing equipment as well as doing our own installation, fault finding, wiring maintenance and repairs.

    History of Royal Flying

    Graham Laurie

    As an RAF pilot, Graham flew members of the Royal Family and VIPs, completing over 2200 Royal Flights. The talk, given in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund, with many personal reminiscences will cover the early days of Royal Flying, the Kings and Queens Flights, right up to the present day.

    Polynesian Catamaran Design and the Lapita Voyage. 
    James Wharram

    In the mid 1950’s James Wharram built the first offshore catamaran in Britain, based on ancient Polynesian boat design, and sailed it out into the Atlantic. Fifty years later, James set off with his partner, Hanneke, a cameraman, a couple of scientists and some Polynesian crew members to sail 4,000 miles along the ancient Polynesian migration route to Tikopia and Anuta, in two craft inspired by the unique, original hull shape of their canoes. Come and hear the magical story of the Lapita Voyage.

    Round the Big Island

    John Rugg and John Gorrie

    Members John Gorrie and John Rugg give will tell us about their UK circumnavigation this summer, a taste of which was available on their blog. Their contrasting individual perspectives will be fascinating – assuming of course that they are still speaking to each other!

    Cast off for Christmas

    Our traditional members’ evening of yarns, light entertainment and mince pies ahead of the Christmas break.

  • 2010-H1 – Programme – Spring

    Spring 2010

    Quyvers Travels

    John Andrews and Freda Haylet

    Adventures on a voyage from Grenada via the Panama Canal, Pacific Islands to New Zealand. Long distance cruising, ports of call and interesting characters met on the way.

    Voyages to New Zealand

    Melville Errington

    The golden era of British Maritime life aboard the liners to New Zealand, including the challenges, both serious and amusing, of keeping engines running for five months.

    Olympic Sailing, Qingdao 2008 to Portland 2012

    Dick Batt

    Dick Batt (Batt Sails, Bosham), Chief Measurer for Olympic Sailing who serves on many National and International bodies, tells us what goes on behind the scenes.

    Classic Yachts through the Camera Lens

    Kathy Mansfield

    Professional photographer Kathy shows us stunning images of Meter Class yachts, from their Centenary Celebration. The Meter Class lead to the Americas Cup boats.

    RYA First Aid Course at Hedgerley Village Hall

    Peter and Carol Pocock with hands on practice on dummies.

    Oceanography of the Southern Ocean

    Dr Isabelle Ansorge

    From voyages on research ships in 90 knot winds and 30 metre waves, Dr Ansorge describes the Southern Ocean and its profound effect on world climate.

    The Merchant Navy in the Battle for the North Atlantic 

    Richard Woodman

    Richard Woodman – Trinity House Elder, Novelist, Master Mariner, Naval Historian – describes the Merchant Navy’s role in this vital struggle from 1939 to 1943.

    The Around the World Yacht Race

    David Cusworth, Clipper Ventures

    Learn how anyone, even if they have never stepped on a boat before, can join the adventure and circumnavigate the world under sail in an eleven month long marathon.

    Italian Connection, from Malta to Nice

    Bernie Smallman and John Dawson

    John and Bernie tell of their trip in Burnadebt to get a new mast. They sailed from Malta to France, visiting Sicily, Vulcano, Stromboli, Naples, finishing in Monaco and Nice

    Experiences as a Yachtmaster Instructor

    Duncan Wells

    GXSA member Duncan Wells recounts his experiences when sailing home from Brittany with an inexperienced crew. He will also give an amusing view of his recovery from his dramatic flares accident.

    An Atlantic Short-Circuit

    Tony Firth

    Tony covers sailing tactics and equipment, wildlife and cooking on his circuit via the Canaries, Cape Verde Islands and the Azores.

     

  • 2009-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    Programme Autumn 2009

    “Rough Pilotage and Rough Water” – Ken Endean

    Ken Endean well known author of pilot books and regular YM contributor will talk to us about some of his experiences in “London Apprentice” his shallow draft 27′ yacht.

    Helicopter Round Britain, Coastal Views – Colin Lewis

    Colin Lewis, Commodore Royal Southampton Yacht Club shows a fascinating film of a round Britain helicopter flight made in Spring 2008 exploring many areas of familiar coastline

    View from the Bridge – Captain Colin Johnston

    Captain Colin Johnston Master Mariner and former P & O Master illustrates the view from the bridge of a container ship and describes latest detection equipment radar and AIS, of vital importance to cross Channel yachtsmen.

    A Memorable Passage – Member’s Evening.

    Bring along your cockpit snacks to share. A bottle of wine will be given to the table with the most enticing fare
    – judges promise not to eat them all! Hear a number of your fellow club members describe ‘A Memorable Passage’ that they have made. These may be exciting, enchanting or just a ‘cracking sail’. Come along and be entertained by your fellow members.

    Weather – Norman Lynagh

    Norman Lynagh is keen sailor who is a Chartered Meteorologist and Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society. He provides weather forecasts to a range of industries and expert information to legal and insurance companies. He will explain how to interpret weather forecasts and how to develop your own forecasting method.

    Four cruises of the “Grampus” – Chris Woodwark

    Club members Chris Woodwark and his crew, Russell Wendover, Richard Ogden, Jim Cannon and Terry Smart will give us a presentation on their cruises between the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, the Outer Hebrides, St Kilda, the West coast, Orkneys and the East coast undertaken since 2000.

    Saturday Special – Radio Controlled Yachts

    As a change from the more usual instructional events, we shall be racing radio controlled yachts on Taplow Lake. These are the same yachts supplied by Mike Weston that were such a success at the Boat Show. Hot soup included.

    World Circumnavigation in a Westerly 41 – Bernard Clarke

    Bernard’s illustrated presentation will cover the pro and cons of doing a circumnavigation within two years and under the auspices of a World Rally. He will describe some of the wonderful countries and cultures that he, and in part his wife, experienced and the challenges he faced when Ocean sailing aboard ‘ Golden Eye of Chichester’.

    King Alfred and Limehouse – Jeremy Batch

    Limehouse Basin is the home of the Cruising Association. Jeremy will cover the history of this area, important to Great Britain’s navigation from the time of King Alfred all the way to the 2012 Olympics. Highlights include our border with Scandinavia, London’s lifeline in the Great Plague, tidal power, Britain’s first aeroplane, gunpowder, the bouncing glass, gin and the dog biscuit.

    Solent Archaeology – Brandon Mason

    Brandon Mason is Project Officer of The Hants and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology. He will tell us about the unseen yet important sites that we are sailing past, or indeed over, during our Solent passages.

    Cast off for Christmas

    Our traditional members’ evening of yarns, light entertainment and mince pies ahead of the Christmas break.

     

  • 2009-H1 – Programme – Spring

    Programme Spring 2009

    The Minimum Boat – Sam Llewellyn

    Sam Llewellyn has written many sailing thrillers. His PBO column The Minimum Boat advocates a back-to-basics style of sailing well adapted to the times. He is currently working on the Dazed Kipper Manual, a work of instruction that he describes as ‘the blind leading the blind.’ !

    Dances with Whales and Weather – John Apps

    Club member John Apps describes large items he met when he took part in the Jester Azores Challenge in 2008 including Sperm Whales, Ultra Large Crude Carriers and Mountains. He will also describe the progress of a ‘typical’ ocean storm from first sign of its approach until it’s all over.

    Sailing in the Caribbean – Richard Snell and Martin Alexander

    Following five charter yacht holidays in the island groups of the British Virgin Islands, St Vincent/Mustique/Grenadines, St Maarten/ St Barts/Anguilla and the Abacos, club members Richard Snell and Martin Alexander will highlight aspects, good and not so good, of chartering, and navigation and key anchorages in these areas.

    Classic Yachts through the Camera Lens – Kathy Mansfield.

    Professional marine photographer Kathy returns with stunning images from the 2007 Celebration of the Centenary of the Metre Class which spawned such impressive yachts as the Americas Cup Boats.

    A Fleeting View of the Black Sea – Doreen and Archie Annan.

    Hon Club members Doreen and Archie recount with photos their experiences and curious incidents during preparation of their yachtmens’ pilot ‘Cruise the Black Sea’.

    Meandering through the Midi – Don and Jacky Wark

    Don & Jacky, Sailing Today contributors, took the lazy way from Honfleur to the Med in their 29ft Snapdragon then on to Biscay along the Midi & Garonne canals. They will share this relaxing but fascinating experience.

    Saturday Special – Boat Electrics
    A Day with Art Butler

    Art is the owner and “hands-on” specialist of a yacht electrics and electronics company based on the East Coast. He will bring us right up to date on current issues and give some guidance on choosing equipment as well as doing our own installation, fault finding, wiring maintenance and repairs.

    Overlord – Bob Hazell

    Past Commodore of the Offshore Cruising Club Bob Hazell outlines the history of Windfall Yachts and illustrates some of “Overlord’s” past cruises and future sailing plans.

    A Passion for the Sea – Jimmy Cornell

    In the last 35 years, Jimmy has sailed 200,000 miles, including 3 circumnavigations and 2 voyages to Antarctica. He will talk about planning an offshore voyage: to the Med, across the Atlantic or right round the world, with a detour to Antarctica.

    Holly’s circumnavigation of Britain in 1994 – Peter Poole

    Member Peter Poole set off in June with the intention of seeing as much as possible. Holly, his Nicholson 32, went round Britain including most of Orkney in 11 weeks with mainly good weather, lots of wonderful experiences and meeting many interesting people.

    AGM – followed by Cruising to Hell and Back – Rod Paton

    Rod Paton describes where things went badly wrong on cruises in the Baltic and across the Atlantic – and tries to draw sensible conclusions.

    Annual Dinner at Beaconsfield Golf Club

     

     

  • 2008-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    Autumn 2008

    A life on the Ocean Wave – John Goode

    Cruising past, present and future – a light-hearted talk putting across a few serious messages. John is the ex-editor of Sailing Today, Principal of the Southern Sailing School, and has responsibility for the Special Features for National Boat Shows Limited.

    Women who built warships – Helen Doe

    During the Napoleonic wars two of the yards supplying urgently-needed ships to the Royal Navy were run by widows and one of these yards on the Thames was one of the largest businesses in the country. Hear how Mrs Barnard and Mrs Ross managed their complex businesses and dealt with the important officers of the Navy Board.

    My Favourite Anchorage

    Six club members will describe one of their favourite overnight stopping places, which might even be an anchorage! Please bring your ‘cockpit nibbles’ to enhance the illusion of a relaxing evening spent swinging at anchor.

    Pilotage in the Port of London and elsewhere 
    Captain Don Cockrill FNI

    Captain Cockrill gives an insight into the often little-known world of pilotage, explaining the contribution that port and offshore pilotage makes to all of our everyday lives in one of the major and certainly most prestigious ports of Europe if not the world – London.

    A year at sea – Malta to the Caribbean 
    John Dawson and Bernie Smallman.

    Club members John and Bernie tell how they took their charter-scheme boat, adapted it for living aboard and sailed through the Mediterranean Sea and across the Atlantic Ocean to explore the Caribbean.

    To Russia with Love – Jonathan Walmsley

    Jonathan describes his cruise from the East Coast of the UK in his Shipman 28 with his all girl crew to St Petersburg in Russia. Highlights include being shot at by the Polish border authorities and running into a Baltic port without an engine in a full gale.

    Arctic Circle & Iceland – almost – and back, single-handed 
    Roger Taylor

    Roger cruised non-stop from Burnham-on-Crouch to Plymouth last year passing the Shetlands and almost reaching the Arctic Circle en-route. He describes his ‘amazing’ summer on Mingming – a junk-rigged Corribee 21 – with the help of video footage.

    Weather, IT and Gipsy Moth IV

    Andrew Eccleston of the University of Plymouth and weather adviser to Gypsy Moth IV will give an academic’s view of yachting.

    Going West slowly: Falmouth to the Canaries – Simon Fraser

    Simon returns to describe Falmouth to the Canaries in two leisurely summer cruises. Ten weeks meandering into Spanish Rias and down the Portuguese coast to Lagos for the winter of 2006, then on to Madeira and the Canaries in 2007

    Cast off for Christmas

    Our traditional members’ evening of yarns, light entertainment and mince pies ahead of the Christmas break.

     

  • 2008-H1 – Programme – Spring

    Spring 2008

    The Rise and Fall of Westerly Boatbuilding

    Association member Hazel Powell, editor of ‘The Westerly Story’, discusses the company’s growth and financial failure. What made it so successful? And why did it collapse? These and other questions will be discussed along with the designers and, of course, the boats.

    Medical Emergencies at Sea

    Martin Thomas M.S., F.R.C.S. Commodore of the Ocean Cruising Club and Atlantic Yachtsman extraordinaire, outlines handling medical emergencies at sea – a timely reminder that all may not go to plan!

    Further adventures of ‘Cresswell Jenny’ in Turkey and Greece

    Members Karin Wilkinson & Andrew Walker return to tell of their trip from Marmaris to Kos, zig zagging between Turkey and the Greek islands taking in Finike, Rhodes, Knidos, Kusadasi and Samos.

    JourneyMaker 5. Tilman Trophy Winner – 3 Peaks Race

    Chris Jones and Louise Makin share their adventures in the 2007 race, one of the toughest on record with gale force winds in the Irish Sea, sailing 400 miles along the west coast of Great Britain with ascents of the highest peaks in Wales, England and Scotland

    Building and cruising a modern gaffer

    Stephen Akester will describe the build and some of the unique features of his modern gaffer, Alice, and share the experience of cruising in her.

    Atlantic Crossing

    Club member John Apps returns by popular request to tell of his adventures completing his Atlantic crossing to gain third place in the Jester Challenge race he entered in 2006

    Cruising in the “Golden Years” after racing

    Cliff Norbury, past racing champion, Olympic Team manager, RORC racer, sailing administrator, MD of Proctor and now well traveled cruiser recalls pottering on the Hamble in 1942 through to cruising in his almost self-built Starlight 39 ‘Zest’.

    I’m not waving it, I’m drying it – Sailing in the Gulf

    Race management is not all doom and gloom, it has its lighter moments as well. RYA Race Officers Peter and Carol-Anne Pocock have many a tale to tell about their experiences both in the UK and abroad. Come along to find out exactly who was drying what.

    AGM – followed by Memories of the Falklands War

    Captain N J Tobin DSC MA Royal Navy will give an illustrated talk on his period in command of HMS Antelope during the Falklands war and his personal recollections of the sinking of his ship as a result of enemy air attack.

    Annual Dinner at Dachet Water Sailing Club

     

     

  • 2007-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    Autumn 2007

    Uffa Fox Association

    Tony Dixon tells of Uffa’s adventures when he was Scout Master of the Cowes Sea scouts in 1921, including taking the scouts to France, up the Seine nearly to Paris and back in an open whaler without the parents knowing where they had gone.

    SS Terra Nova – Whaler, Sealer and Polar Exploration Ship

    Mike Tarver talks of the exploits over sixty years of this remarkable vessel including those with the Captain Scott Expeditions, covered in his new book.

    From North Atlantic Drama to South Atlantic High

    Explorer and Adventurer Jonathan Blain recounts surviving a shipwreck in the North Atlantic, then designing and building a yacht, which he raced to the island of St Helena.

    Laying-up Supper

    Fish “&” Chip Supper with an interesting evening of members’ tales recounting challenges, memorable times and the odd confession whilst sailing or motor cruising.

    Life as an Engineer Officer on the Orient Line 50 Years ago

    Club member David Harrop will describe the Passenger Steamships he served on for four years and give an illustrated tour of the world as it was 50 years ago.

    High Barbaree to the Baltic and back

    Tim and Liz Dodwell sailed their Cornish Crabber Pilot Cutter to the Baltic in 2005, laying up near Stockholm, then in 2006 cruised the Baltic before returning to Buckler’s Hard. They will talk about their adventures and misadventures too!

    A New Future for the Sailing Barge Cambria

    Cambria Trust, founded by Tony Ellis, is restoring the famous 101 year-old sailing barge Cambria. Tony has been involved in a variety of barging organisations over the years and will tell us his fascinating story.

    Singlehanded round the world ‘vertically’

    Adrian Flanagan will tell how he this year became the first single-hander to circumnavigate
    north/south including crossing the Arctic Ocean along Russia’s northern sea route.

    Shenanigan in the Hebrides

    Club member Rob Johnstone recalls a summer cruising Skye and the east coast of some of the Outer Isles as navigator/bo’sun/leading hand in a 35ft Moody.

    Cast off for Christmas

    Our traditional members’ evening of yarns, light entertainment and mince pies ahead of the Christmas break.

     

  • 2007-H1 – Programme – Spring

    Spring 2007

    The Baltic via the Waddenzee and Wattfahrwassers

    Club members Reg & Chris Hadwen tell of sailing their Southerly 110 through the drying channels of the Frisian and Friesian Islands on their way to the Baltic.

    Jester Challenge – Transatlantic Race

    Club member John Apps will share his coastal and ocean sailing experiences including weather prediction methods and his challenges in Glayva, a UFO27, during the 2006 single-handed race from which 80% of the boats retired due to bad weather.

    Roscoff to La Rochelle

    Club members Phil & Jill Snowden sailed to La Rochelle in 2004 intending to return in 2005. They are still there and will show us some of the delights of Western France.

    Jane Slade: Inspiration for Daphne du Maurier’s first novel

    Helen Doe, maritime historian, author and lecturer, tells the truth behind the fiction about three generations of seafarers and shipbuilders who were dominated by one remarkable woman and her ship.

    The Cruising Association Victory Rally around Britain

    Douglas Addison talks about his part solo sail round Britain in his 31 ft. ketch in the Cruising Association 2005 Victory Rally, in the 200th anniversary year of Trafalgar.

    Sailing with Gipsy Moth IV on the East Coast of Australia

    Jeremy Graham will tell of his experiences as a watch leader for a few weeks on Gipsy Moth IV in summer 2006 with a crew of disadvantaged children.

    A Cruise to the Magical Fjords of Norway

    Club member Peter Poole sails from Birdham via Lowestoft, returning via Orkney, West Scotland and Ireland – all in six weeks and only two gales.

    Mutiny, Murder & Mayhem: the 1797 Spithead Mutiny

    Dr Ann Coats, expert on eighteenth century naval history tells of the Mutiny borne out of a grievance that naval seamen had not had a pay rise for 144 years.

    In the Wake of Ernest Shackleton

    After the loss of the Endeavour, Shackleton set off from Elephant Island to seek help in a converted whaler, James Caird. Trevor Potts built a replica of the James Caird and sailed it from Elephant Island to South Georgia. He tells the story of the preparations and the voyage.

    AGM – Followed by a talk by Club member Ken Moss

    An East coast cruise from the Deben to Orkney and back – sometimes single-handed.

    Annual Dinner – Datchet Water Sailing Club

    Roger Taylor, South Pacific tall ships shipwreck survivor, is our after dinner speaker.

     

  • 2006-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    Autumn 2006

    Channel Islands and North Brittany

    Peter Cumberlidge, writer and journalist returns to share his extensive knowledge on the delights and challenges of sailing in and around the Channel Islands and Brittany.

    Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent

    Commander K Carter – QHM Portsmouth, will talk about his roles of managing the harbour and in particular the challenge and the success of the Fleet Review in 2005, as well as his work as vice chairman of the Solent Forum.

    2004/5 Global Challenge – Imagine it Done

    Sian Hankinson, daughter of one of our members shares her adventures as the deputy skipper/crew boss during her circumnavigation with Dee Caffari against the prevailing winds and currents.

    Laying up Supper

    Fish and Chip supper with an interesting evenings of members tales recounting challenges, memorable times and the odd confession whilst sailing or motor cruising.

    The Adventures of the ARC

    GXSA member Chris Monahan will talk about his experiences in preparing for and participating in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers

    The Extraordinary Voyages of Captain James Cook

    Paul Covell, club member and round the world sailor gives a fascinating illustrated talk on the greatest cartographer, navigator and seaman of the 18th century and his voyages of exploration.

    Triumph and Tragedy – tales from Artic Greenland

    The Reverend Bob Shepton returns to tell us about his summer expedition to the north of Greenland, getting furthest north of any yacht in Greenland, over wintering there and the subsequent tragedy – the loss of his boat and his last roll of film.

    CSS Alabama 1862 -1864

    A screw sloop of war built for the confederacy – we learn about her amazing history and how she finally sank whilst under fire from USS Kearsarge in Cherbourg. Our speaker is Devian Watson from the Liverpool maritime Museum.

    30 Years Before the Mast

    An illustrated talk by GXSA member, Wolfgang Ansorge about his experience and voyaging on a wide variety of tall ships and traditional sailing vessels 1975-2005

    Cast off for Christmas

    Our traditional members’ evening of yarns, light entertainment and mince pies and the judging of our season’s photographs ahead of the Christmas break.

     

  • 2006-H1 – Programme – Spring

    PROGRAMME – Spring 2006

    Wed 11th Jan

    Vagabond’s Circum-Polar Navigation

    An illustrated talk by Eric Brossier, winner of the Ocean Cruising Club and the Royal Cruising Club awards for achieving the first transit of the North East Passage in one season under sail on his 45 ft steel yacht Vagabond.
    Wed 18th Jan

    Roundabout the Mediterranean

    Britta Bahr on a 2 year sabbatical from City life in a Dehler 34 to Greece — going round the outside, over-wintering inTunisia and back through the French Canals.
    Wed 25th Jan

    Birds of the Solent and Isle of Wight

    Ann Farrar of the RSPB shares her extensive knowledge of the type and variety of birds to be seen from boats and from the land with magnificent illustrative slides.
    Wed 1″ Feb

    My Love Affair with Nancy

    Arthur Ransome’s boat has been lovingly restored and her current skipper, Bryan Bonser, talks about sailing this very dry, very well built gentleman’s sailing boat.

    Wed 8th Feb

    Travelling the European Inland Waterways

    Ken & Sue Shaw, club members, provide a fascinating account of their adventures during recent travels with their own boat on the inland waterways of France and Germany.
    Wed 15th Feb

    Marine Electrics

    James Hortop, sailor, motorboater and PBO technical expert, will discuss and answer questions on designing and getting the best out of electrical systems
    Sat 18th

    Feb Radar Course

    A Saturday Special RYA course for members on basic Use of Radar.
    Wed 22nd Feb

    Great Maritime Festivals of Brest and Douarnenez

    Kathy Mansfield, the world-renowned maritime photographer and sailor, will present an illustrated talk about the festivals, boats, crafts, art and music of the sea.
    Wed 15t March

    West Coast of Ireland

    Peter Poole, our well-known long distance sailor, returns to Ireland in “Holly” and reveals the fun and excitement of sailing in this fantastic region.
    Wed 8th March

    Turkey for Christmas

    Club members Karen and Andrew Walker return to provide us with the latest update on their five year sabbatical in and around the countries of the eastern Mediterranean.
    Wed 15th March

    AGM andThe Falkirk Wheel

    The AGM will be followed by a talk by member Bill Munnoch on the restoration and re-commissioning of the world’s first and only rotating boat lift.
    Sat 25th March

    Annual Dinner — Little Ship Club

    We celebrate the Association’s Ruby Anniversary in magnificent surroundings with Nigel King of Ocean Racing Fame as our after dinner Speaker.

     

  • 2005-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    PROGRAMME – AUTUMN 2005

    Wed 5th Oct

    Windfarms, the ICC and Electronic Navigation

    Simon Jinks, exYachting Monthly Sailing Expert and now RYA Chief Cruising Instructor, gives an update on RYA projects from ICC to Windfarms and talks about Electronic Navigation and Passage Making.
    Wed 12th Oct

    East Coast Sailing – Southwold to Southend

    Charles Stock shares his views of the Essex and Suffolk waters which he has

    sailed for over 40 years in Shoal Waters – his gaff cutter, with no engine or electronics.

    Wed 19th Oct

    ATour of Ireland and the Creation of a Digital Log

    Graham Rabbits, winner of several trophies for his Logs, explains how to create them make them interesting and shares the Log of his cruise around Ireland.
    Tues 25th Oct

    Trip to Greenwich Maritime Museum

    Wed 26th Oct

    Cast Off for Trafalgar Supper

    An evening to commemorateThe Immortal Memory of Nelson, the Battle of Trafalgar, including supper, followed by an interesting evening and a competition.
    Wed 2nd Nov

    A Nice Cup of Tea .

    John Fisher takes a light-hearted look at the history of the tea trade, the clippers that carried it and in particular the Cutty Sark. His great grandfather was a tea merchant in China and John is a guide on the Cutty Sark at Greenwich.
    Wed 9th Nov

    The Exploits of Stokey Woodall and the Atlantic Islands

    Stokey will talk about some of his thousands of miles of Ocean Sailing, delivering and teaching and give an insight into cruising the Azores and the Atlantic Islands.
    Wed 16th Nov

    The Joy of Choosing and Buying a Boat

    Club members will talk about what and how they decided what to buy -a new build or previously owned via a broker or through an advertisement nrimnort

    from abroad.

    Nov. 19th

    Saturday Special. – Survival at Sea

    Graham Gardner
    Wed 23rd Nov

    Beating Wrinkles – Not just a Salty Sea Dog Tale.

    Stephanie Sutton explains her love of sailing and the sea – from the time when she started sailing during camping holidays in the New Forest and her progress from deck hand to Master Mariner and her return to the New Forest.
    Wed 30th Nov

    The RiverThames Society

    Colin Reynolds will talk about the work of the Society in managing the challenges that face many aspects of one of the world’s greatest rivers covering in particular the loss of waterside boatyards, access to and navigation of the river.
    Dec 7th

    Cast Off for Christmas

    Mulled Wine – good company – short stories – judging of our summer photographs.
    Jan 11th

    Start of Spring Programme

     

  • 2005-H1 – Programme – Spring

    PROGRAMME – SPRING 2005

    Weds Jan 5th

    A JOURNEY NORTHWARDS VIA THE IRISH SEA

    Club Member George Lipscomb returns to tell us of his 2003 Summer Voyage northwards aboard his Kingfisher to the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland.

    Weds Janl2th

    SEA BRITAIN 2005

    Steven Riley, Director of Maritime Heritage, comes to tell us of the way in which the sea touches our lives and how they are leading The Celebration of special events in the Trafalgar Festivals around the country.

    Weds Jan 19th

    “BACK TO BASICS” and VALSHEDA vs. RANGER

    David Pitman returns to give us advice on the finer points of sailing, before relating an illustrated story of the clash -a very nasty clash – during one of the best yacht races ever seen.

    Weds Jan 26th

    RING AROUND THE ISLE OF MULL

    Kathy Mansfield shows us more wonderful pictures of her visit to the burial place of Scottish kings and to waters that have inspired shipwreck tales and overtures.

    Weds Feb 2nd

    CARIBBEAN CAPERS

    John Rugg, David Horn and John Hayward, Club Members, give illustrated talks of their various experiences whilst charter sailing in the Caribbean.

    Weds Feb 9th

    FROM LONGITUDE BY POCKET WATCH TO PC BASED PLOTTER

    Tom Cunliffe takes a light-hearted look at the changes many of us have seen in our sailing lifetimes.

    Weds 16th

    CRUISING KATTEGAT TO SKAGERRAK

    Winners of the Cruising Association’s Dugon Cup, Anne and Dennis Kell return to describe their 4 week cruise from Denmark to Sweden, through the Western archipelago to Norway and back, sailing in a Wayfarer.

    Sat Feb 19th

    SATURDAY SPECIAL ON RADAR

    Alison Noice returns to tutor us in the practical use of radar with a RYA Certificate on completion.

    Weds Feb 23rd

    FROM COOK TO COMPUTORS

    Tony Wooldridge charts the history of the UK Hydrographic Office from its foundation in 1795 to the present day. This presentation includes illustrations from the UKHO’s extensive archives showing surveying and modern production methods and covers some of the most recent “Admiralty” branded products

    Weds Mar 2nd

    CRUISING TO THE LOFOTEN ISLANDS

    John Duff gives an illustrated talk about the challenge of organising a club cruise to NW Scotland, Shetlands and Lofoten Islands and back. This involved a total of 36 crew and 4500 miles sailing in 17 weeks, benefiting from the best summer in Arctic Norway for 50 years.

    Weds Mar 9th

    AGM followed by CRUISING STYLES 65 YEARS AGO

    Mike Goffe, a club member will tell us what cruising really used to be like in his early days of skippering sailing boats .

    SATURDAY Mar 12th

    DINNER AT BOVENY BOATHOUSE, DORNEY LAKE

    Our Speaker will be Alan Priddy, Director of Offshore Expeditions, talking about “Our Lively Lady, the story so far”.

    Weds Oct 5th Start of your Autumn Programme.

     

     

  • 2004-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    PROGRAMME-AUTUMN 2004

    Weds 6th Oct

    A Journey to Spain and Portugal

    Club member Peter Poole tells us of his last summer’s journey southwards aboard his Nicholson 32, along the Spanish and Portuguese coasts.
    Weds 13th Oct

    A Land of Snow and Ice

    David and Jill Lane, long standing Club members, return to tell of a voyage to Antarctica, S Georgia and the Falklands, following apart of Shackleton’s small boat journey along the way.
    Weds 20th Oct

    Sweden’s Secret Shore

    Graham and Fay Cattell tell how they spent one summer exploring Northwards from the Stockholm archipelago to the Finnish border. This breathtakingly beautiful Gulf of Bothnia is an area steeped in the history of fishing, forestry and fighting. Nowadays it’s the ‘paper’ coast.
    Weds 27th Oct

    Disaster and Opportunity

    Dr Leslie Morrish relates tales of the history of his 97-year-old Ketch ‘Irene’ which unfortunately suffered from a fire recently whilst in the Caribbean, and tells of his plans for rebuilding her.
    Weds 3rd Nov

    Seabed types, their formation, and stability.

    Brian D’Olier, a marine geologist, explains why seabed’s vary in their sediment composition and form, why an area is shallow or deep, whether the materials are mobile or not, where they come from and how tidal currents affect their form.
    Weds 10th Nov

    Sailing without Legs

    Ted Palmer visits to illustrate how the Jubilee Sailing Trust built and operates two specially designed tall ships. These provide adventure and challenges at sea for physically disabled and able-bodied men and women.
    Saturday 13th Nov

    Navigation made easy

    Club member Ken Bottrell, provides a practical course for the day especially for our lady members, to give them an insight into and a chance to practice simple navigation.
    Weds 17th Nov

    A Day Out Down South

    Nigel King talks about, aspects of living on board a racing yacht and the ‘Thrills and Spills’ of sailing in the Southern Ocean.
    Weds 24th Nov

    Let the wrecks of others be your Seamarks

    Richard Woodman returns to speak of the work of Trinity House and in particular his experiences in maintaining lighthouses and other seamarks, with special reference to wrecks and wreck marking, matters which generally do not preoccupy yachtsmen.
    Weds 1st Dec

    Caribbean to Cape Cod

    Alec Mcpherson revisits (minus Bagpipes and Kilt) to relate of a voyage all the way up the Eastern side of America via the Intercoastal waterways.
    Weds 8th Dec

    Cast Off for Christmas

    Mulled wine, short stories, festivities and judging of our summer photographs.

     

  • 2004-H1 – Programme – Spring

    PROGRAMME – SPRING 2004

    Weds 7th Jan

    A THIRD YEAR INTO THE VOYAGE OF A LIFETIME

    Club members Karin Wilkinson and Andrew Walker return to tell of their adventures and voyaging aboard their Vancouver 32 along the Croatian Coast.

    Weds 14th Jan

    OPTIMIST GOES NORTH

    Members Mike and Mary Allan tell us how Optimist, a Westerly Oceanquest, went North last Summer on her third adventurous voyage around Britain.

    Weds 21st Jan

    SEPTUAGENARIAN CROSSES ATLANTIC SINGLE HANDED

    Eleanor Timms returns to talk of her experiences when she took her own small yacht across the Atlantic via the Cape Verde Islands to Trinidad and Venezuela.
    Weds 28th Jan

    PASSAGE MAKING USING WEATHER FORECASTS

    Frank Singleton, well known meteorologist and author, tells us about weather forecasting and how it is used to its best advantage for passage planning.

    Weds 4th Feb

    TEN DAYS BEFORE THE MAST

    Paul Covell, a well travelled Club member, relates how he spent ten days before the mast of a Russian Square Rigger during the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race.
    Weds 11th Feb

    PALMERSTON FOLLIES

    Cdr Bruce Nicholls, OBE RN (retd.), an expert Historian, relates the interesting story of the Solent Forts which stand guarding the Eastern entrance to the Solent and Portsmouth Harbour.
    Weds 18th Feb

    GOBLIN RETURNS TO FLUSHING

    Bryan Bonser talks about the return of Arthur Ransom’s boat ‘NANCY BLACKETT’ to Flushing. Nancy was Goblin in We didn’t mean to go to sea’.

    Sat 21st Feb

    First Aid Practical Course

    …in order to update certificates. Tutor-Peter Pocock.

    Weds 25th Feb

    THE ROAD TO MANDALAY

    David Lane, a long standing Club member, returns to take us on a River Boat journey up the Irrawaddy River into the heartland of Burma.

    Weds 3rd Mar

    NAVIGATION MADE EASY

    Ken Bottrell and club members show us how easy it is to navigate across the Channel under sail and in a power boat, enabling more members to venture forth this summer and join our cruise.

    Weds 10th Mar

    AGM followed by BUILDING A MARINERS LIBRARY

    Rod Paton, a Club member, will give us ideas for building a Mariners Library.

    Sat 13th Mar

    DINNER AT THE ROYAL THAMES YACHT CLUB, KNIGHTSBRIDGE

    Our Speaker will be David Pitman, Secretary of the ‘J Class yachts’.

    Weds 6th Oct The Autumn 2004 Programme starts with Club member Peter Poole recounting details of his voyage down to Spain and Portugal.

     

  • 2003-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    PROGRAMME – AUTUMN 2003

    Weds 8th Oct

    PRACTICAL BOAT OWNER

    Jake Kavanagh (News Editor and Features_Writer) tells us “How they put together this well known Magazine” with some amusing anecdotal tales along the way.
    Weds 15th Oct

    NAVIGATING WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGY

    Simon Fraser, whose Victoria 34 is equipped with lots of instruments integrated to help short-handed sailing, illustrates how they were used whilst sailing from the South Coast to St Kilda, Orkneys and the Shetland Isles.

    Weds 22nd Oct •

    RESCUED AT SEA

    Nick Harper (GXSA Member’s son) tells of an accident at sea whilst racing and the subsequent rescue by the RNLI.

    Weds 29th Oct

    THE UBIQUITOUS CREW

    Pauline Duart recounts some of the pleasures and perils she has experienced whilst sailing 50,000 miles on more than 100 yachts. Both skippers and crew may hear some home truths and pick up some tips on Blue Water sailing .

    Weds 5th Nov

    BUILDING A HUNTER 31

    GXSA member Ian Cox tells us of his “trials and tribulations” whilst building a 2nd yacht in his front garden.

    Weds 12th Nov •

    ROUND THE WORLD WITH A DIFFERENCE

    The Rev Bob Shepton returns to recount details of, when as school Chaplain, he took parties of school leavers on an adventure of a lifetime aboard his Westerly Discus, round Cape Horn, to the pacific Islands, to Australia, the Indian Ocean, Cape of Good Hope, St Helena, Azores and home.

    Saturday 15th Nov

    SATURDAY SPECIAL

    Alison Noice leads us through a GMDSS Practical Course starting at 09.00Hrs followed by a RYA Assessment Examination.

    Weds 19th Nov

    GETTING THE BEST FROM YOUR RADAR

    Ron Davies tells us how to get the best information from using our Radar, illustrating it with a Cruise along the coast of England and a video.

    Weds 26th Nov

    A NEW LOOK AT THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR

    Richard Woodman, Master Mariner, Naval Historian and Author (Nathaniel Drinkwaternovels and many others) presents his newly researched details of this Historic and Momentous Battle.

    Weds 3rd Dec

    CRUISING THE OUTER HEBRIDES

    Alec Mcpherson describes a cruise with “Bagpipes and Kilt”.

    Weds 10th Dec

    CAST OFF FOR CHRISTMAS

    Fred Hughes will MC our festivities. Judging our Summer photographs.

     

  • 2003-H1 – Programme – Spring

    PROGRAMME – SPRING 2003

    Wed 8th Jan

    A SECOND YEAR OF THE VOYAGE OF A LIFETIME

    Members, Karin and Andrew Walker, return to continue their account of 2002’s voyaging and adventures aboard their Vancouver 32, round the Balearics, Sicily, and among the Ionian Islands.

    Wed 15th Jan

    BEAUTIFUL AZORES

    Member, George Lipscomb, sailed single handed to the Azores and back in 2002 and will share the exploration of this unexpectedly beautiful archipelago with his audience.

    Wed 22nd Jan

    CLASSIC AND OTHER INTERESTING BOATS

    Kathy Mansfield, yachting photographer and journalist, will illustrate and describe many of the ‘classic’ and otherwise interesting boats she has seen in recent years.

    Wed 29th Jan

    UNDERSTANDING BOAT ELECTRICS

    Pat Manley, PBO’s technical expert, makes a welcome return to help demystify the essentials of marine electrical systems, from batteries, charging systems, lighting, engine starting and powering instrumentation.

    Wed 5th Feb

    BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR

    Richard Woodman, Master Mariner, Naval historian and author (the Nathaniel Drinkwater novels and many others) will present his newly researched details of this historic and momentous sea battle.

    Wed 12th Feb

    FRENCH BISCAY

    Member, Peter Poole, describes the many harbours and anchorages of Southern Brittany from the Gironde, then heading North during his 2002 single handed cruise in ‘Holly, his Nicholson 32.

    Wed 19th Feb

    MARITIME FLAGS AND ETIQUETTE

    Cdr Bruce Nicholls, OBE, RN (Retd), is an expert on the history and design of flags and will explain the importance of these symbols of identity, their method of communication afloat and their correct usage.

    Wed 26th Feb

    CRUISE CROATIA

    Member, David Lane, who now keeps his yacht in the Mediterranean and adjoining warm seas will recount and illustrate his recent cruising in the Adriatic along the coast of Croatia.

    Wed 5th Maroh

    ‘SHINDIG’ AT SEA

    Andrew Simpson, journalist and expert on yacht design and construction, completes the story from previous talks about building his composite light-wieght cruising yacht Shindig, with details of her completion and performance.

    Wed 12th Mark

    AGM

    Sat 15th March

    Annual Dinner at Hazlemere Golf Club

     

  • 2002-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    PROGRAMME – AUTUMN 2002

    Wed 2nd Oct

    LOWESTOFT LIFEBOAT

    Bert Coleman, Coxswain and Engineer of the busy Lowestoft lifeboat, will describe its crewing and working arrangements and recount details of some of the boat’s dramatic rescues
    Wed 9th Oct

    RESTORING AND SAILING “GUIDE ME”

    Judy Brickhill and her husband bought and restored “Guide Me” a 1911 Looe Lugger and she will share the adventures of cruising with a growing family to South Africa, Brazil and the Caribbean without an engine!
    Wed 16th Oct

    SEA BIRDS’ SECRET LIVES

    Ornithologist, Victor Scott, specialises in estuary and coastal birds and his illustrated talk with fascinating details of their lives will add greatly to the pleasure of all who observe birds in marine situations
    Wed 23rd Oct

    SAILING IN THE WORLD’S LARGEST SQUARE RIGGED SHIP

    Michael Locke recently crossed the Atlantic aboard Royal Clipper, a five masted fully rigged sail powered cruise ship and he will provide an illustrated tour of the ship together with details of the voyage
    Wed 30th Oct

    FROM COMPETENT CREW TO YACHTMASTER (AND MUCH MORE)

    James Stevens, RYA’s Training Manager returns to GXSA to discuss how the RYA meets the changing training needs of those who take to the water by providing courses which are run all round the UK
    Wed 6th Nov

    GETTING THE BEST FROM YOUR SAILS

    Ivan Bole from Arun Sails will update members on the latest technology in sail design, manufacture and materials and also advise on getting the best life and performance from your current sails (RNLI Christmas cards will be on sale this evening, prior to the lecture and during the interval)
    Wed 13th Nov

    SAILING, CLIMBING AND SKI MOUNTAINEERING IN GREENLAND

    The Rev. Bob Shepton (Tilman Medal winner) makes a welcome return to illustrate and recount his latest exploits cruising and climbing in Greenland and discusses heavy weather sailing tactics in the North Atlantic
    Wed 20th Nov

    CRUISING THE PACIFIC SOCIETY ISLANDS

    GXSA Member, Nigel Thomas, recently joined other members Hugh and Angela Farrant on parts of their voyage to New Zealand aboard Spring Gold II and will highlight the cruise from Tahiti to Bora Bora
    Wed 27th Nov

    PACIFIC HIGHLIGHTS

    David and Marcia Pirie describe their passages to Alaska and Polynesia as highspots from nine years cruising the Pacific aboard their Endurance 36
    Wed 4th Dec

    CAST-OFF FOR CHRISTMAS

    (Seasonal events including members’ salty tales)
  • 2002-H1 – Programme – Spring

    PROGRAMME – SPRING 2002

    Wed 9th Jan

    VOYAGE ROUND EAST ANGLIA

    Robert Simper, renowned author will take his audience on a yachtman’s cruise round the East Anglian coastline, highlighting interesting and attractive places many landsmen miss.
    Wed 16th Jan

    WEATHER FORECASTING FOR YACHTING IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM

    Alan Sills, professional meteorologist and yachtsman, describes recent improvements in weatheriorecasting and how they will help yachtsmen find winds they want and avoid those they don’t.
    Wed 23rd Jan

    ROUND SPAIN AND PORTUGAL TO THE MEDITERRANEAN

    Association members Karin Wilkinson and Andrew Walker, back in the UK for a winter’s break from the sun, share details from the first stage of their ‘Sell-up and Sail Away’ adventure.
    Wed 30th Jan

    GET-YOU-HOME TECHNIQUES

    Pat Manley, YM instructor and member of PBO’s panel of experts, will advise on various yachting ‘Get-you-Home’ techniques without the aid of the AA, covering aspects of engine, rig and steering failure.
    Wed 6th Feb

    THE ‘J’ CLASS YACHTS

    David Pitman tells the story of the rebirth of the ‘J’ class fleet, their racing in the Caribbean and their recent regattas in the. Solent.
    Wed 13th Feb

    EXTENDED CRUISING IN A LIVE-ABOARD WAYFARER

    Anne and Denis Kell, who previously enthralled GXSA with an account of sail-camping in Ireland, return with details of recent cruises from Essex to Beaulieu via Calais and to the Isles of the Inner Hebrides.
    Wed 20th Feb

    GOING DUTCH

    Members Reg and Chris Hadwen illustrate and describe their recent cruise in their Westerly Regatta to the lower Ijsselmeer in Holland, following the standing mast route through the canals..
    Wed 27th Feb

    SAILING THE SQUARE-RIGGER, STA ‘STAVROS S NIARCHOS’

    Local yachtsman Ian Crookall joined the Sail Training Association’s new brigantine in the Azores last May and shares the experience of working a Square-Rigger 1765 miles back to Southampton.
    Wed 6th March

    BALTIC CRUISE TO RUSSIA AND BEYOND

    Ray Glaister has sailed his Colvic 32 to beyond the Baltic into the heart of. Russia, where few other yachtsmen have ventured, so he comes to GXSA with a rare tale to share.
    Wed 13th March

    AGM AND OPEN FORUM

    Sat 16th March.

    ANNUAL DINNER – AT HAZLEMERE GOLF CLUB

                                                              

  • 2001-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    PROGRAMME – AUTUMN 2001

    Wed 3rd October

    SOUTHERN OCEAN: BEEN THERE – DONE IT – NEVER AGAIN!

    Paul Covell, Association member, tells of his adventure of a lifetime aboard ‘Quadstone’ in The BT Global Challenge 2000/2001, the world’s toughest yacht race.

    Wed 10th October

    COWES WEEK – SUCCESSES AND FAILURES

    A welcome return of Stuart Quarrie to talk about his latest role organising Cowes Week and to share with members the tribulations of twelve months’ hard work behind this prestigious international event.

    Wed 17th October

    CRUISING THE BLACK SEA

    Jasper and Sally Scovil cruised from the north Turkish coast in 1998 in their Voyager 30 `Dorinda’. Come and hear of Istanbul, Yalta, Odessa, the Danube Estuary, Crimea and other exotic destinations.

    Wed 24th October

    YACHTMASTER TUTORIAL TALES

    Michael Hindley of the RYA tells of the trials and tribulations of examining would-be Yachtmasters.

    Wed 31st October

    BALTIC CRUISE

    A return of Brian Hammett, Vice President of the East Coast Old Gaffers Association, to describe his recent cruise through the Baltic and illustrate why this should be a more popular cruising area.

    Wed 7th November

    HANDS-ON RADAR

    Reg Suter of Regis Electronics advises members how to make best use of their radar or to choose the most suitable set If they are thinking of renewing one or fitting one for the first time.

    Wed 14th November

    CARIBBEAN CRUISING – MEMBERS’ TALES

    In the first part of the evening, Alun and Mavis Roberts describe their cruise from Antigua south and in the second, Ken and Hazel Powell recount details from their Spring cruise from Grenada north.

    Wed 21st November

    MARINE LIFE. OF SOUTHEAST ENGLAND

    Lisa Browning, Marine Conservation Officer, Hampshire Wild Life Trust tells members about the wild life that they might see from their boats if they knew where and what to look for.

    Wed 28th November

    A DECADE OF PROGRESS

    Chris Coburn, renowned enthusiast and activist for canal regeneration, shows video coverage of various voyages undertaken in ‘Progress’, his sea-going narrowboat, including the 60th Anniversary Channel Crossing to Dunkerque.

    Wed 5th December

    CAST OFF FOR CHRISTMAS.

    Members’ chance to amuse, inform or confess.

     

  • 2001-H1 – Programme – Spring

    SPRING PROGRAMME 2001

    Wednesday 17th January

    CRUISING CUBA AND THE WEST CARIBBEAN.

    Mike Manzoni’s cruise with Association member Peter Lawrence to Cuba, Guatemala and Belize provides fascinating contrasts to the better known Eastern Caribbean chain of islands.

    Wednesday 24th January

    VIBRATION & NOISE SUPPRESSION.

    John Grazebrook explains the problems and tells all we need to know to make life on board far more comfortable.

    Wednesday 31st January

    REAL RESCUES.

    Tony Glaze, RNLI Coxswain, recounts real life drama in tales of actual rescues.

    Saturday 3rd February

    SATURDAY SPECIAL – FLARE DEMONSTRATION.

    Laurie Tate, RYA instructor, shows how to handle marine pyrotechnics. Hands-on experience invaluable for ALL the crew.

    Wednesday 7th February

    LIFE OF ARTHUR RANSOME.

    We all read Swallows and Amazons, but what of the author? Brian Hammett, Vice President of the East Coast Old Gaffers Association and life-long fan, unveils the background of this fascinating man.

    Wednesday 14th February

    CELTIC VOYAGE.

    Association member George Lipscombe’s Summer 2000 cruise took in Southern Ireland, Wales, Cornwall and Brittany before returning to Plymouth. A Celtic voyage indeed….

    Wednesday 21st February

    RIGGING FOR SINGLE AND SHORT-HANDED SAILING.

    John Passmore, rig expert from Selden Masts (Europe’s largest spar manufacturer) shares his considerable knowledge on this important topic.

    Wednesday 28th February

    SEEKING SCENERY, SECLUSION AND SINGLE MALTS!

    Association member Peter Poole cruises western Scotland and the distilleries.

    Wednesday 7th March

    SYDNEY 2000 OLYMPIC YACHTING.

    RYA’s team manager John Derbyshire describes the selection and training of our Olympic contestants, together with his memories of events leading to Britain’s most successful ever medal tally.

    Wednesday 14th March

    ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND OPEN FORUM.

    Followed by your last chance to hear the confessions and blunders of those committee members retiring that evening!

    Saturday 17th March

    ANNUAL DINNER.

    At the Bell House Hotel, Gerrards Cross.

     

  • 2000-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    AUTUMN PROGRAMME 2000

    Wednesday 4th October

    CRUISING CHILE.

    John and Fay Garey tell of their year exploring coastal and inland Chile, from the sub-tropical south to the desert north. And why we should all remember Chiloe

    Wednesday 11th October

    MUD IN THE BLOOD.

    Colin Jarman – journalist, author and sailor – recalls his upbringing and exploits on sailing our East Coast.

    Wednesday 18th October

    MEMBER’S NIGHT.

    1. Ted Sutton recalls his first Channel crossing at the beginning of a very steep learning curve!
    2. John Pell returns with more tales of keeping ‘UBIN’ in his favourite parts of
    Wednesday 25th October

    TESTING TIMES ON YACHTS.

    David Harding, yachting journalist and photographer, tells of his work with the sailing monthlies.

    Wednesday 1st November

    FORGET COWES WEEK – THIS IS FERRET NIGHT!

    Have a flutter on the Furry Flyers to raise funds for the RNLI and GXSA. Or sponsor a race or runner, or just come for the fun!

    Saturday 4th November

    SATURDAY SPECIAL-SELDEN MASTS, SOUTHAMPTON.

    A visit to Europe’s biggest spar manufacturer.

    Wednesday 8th November

    NARROWBOAT FROM LECHLADE TO LIMEHOUSE.

    Airline pilot Richard Poad changes speed from Boeing to narrowboat and draws upon twenty years of Thames navigation to take us from (almost) source to sea.

    Wednesday 15th November

    HMS WARRIOR.

    Val Fontana, historian and senior guide to the Warrior, tells his story of this ship which marked the end of the Royal Navy’s days of sail.

    Wednesday 22nd November

    ROPE YARNS.

    The inimitable Des Pawson talks of ropes and knots.

    Wednesday 29th November

    A GUIDE TO NEW GADGETRY.

    For ALL the crew! Jolyon Martin of Raytheon joins us for an evening of discussion and hands-on practice with the latest electronic equipment for small boats. Try before you buy.

    Wednesday 6th December

    CAST OFF FOR CHRISTMAS.

    Your chance to amuse, inform or confess!!

  • 2000-H1 – Programme – Spring

    SPRING PROGRAMME 2000

    Wednesday 12th January

    BLUE WATER PREPARATION.

    Dr. Dick Allan advises on what to do and what to avoid in getting ready for that cruise of a lifetime.
    Wednesday 19th January

    FROM LIMPETS TO LEVIATHANS.

    Vicki Billings, marine biologist, diver and member of the Marine Conservation Society, talks about the life under our keels.

    Wednesday 26th January

    NORDIC SAGA.

    Barry Meacham, association member, gives an illustrated talk on his idyllic 1999 cruise from Inverness to Bergen, Oslo and Marstrand, and its planning.

    Wednesday 2nd February

    CHINA CRUISE.

    Dave Lane, association member, has been travelling again and returns to tell of his cruise through the Yangtse Gorges to Hankow.

    Wednesday 9th February

    THE STUPIDITY OF YOUTH.

    Peter Poland of Hunter Boats tells of his early crossing of the Atlantic in a twenty-five foot yacht.

    Wednesday 16th February

    WORLD WAYFARING.

    Margaret and Frank Dye show how to widen your dinghy sailing horizons and tell of their own distant exploits.

    Wednesday 23rd February

    R.N.L.I. SEA CHECK.

    Guy Addington of the R.N.L.I. introduces the new safety scheme for all craft. Want a free inspection? Here’s how

    Wednesday 1st March

    VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE.

    After his ‘Ferry to the Falklands’ talk last year, Master Mariner Chris Clarke returns to share cross channel experiences and some of the problems facing modern ferry skippers.

    Wednesday 8th March

    THE MATTHEW

    America’s Cup yacht designer David Alan-Williams recounts his experience as Master of the Matthew on the 500th anniversary re-creation of Cabot’s voyage to Canada.

    Saturday 11th March

    SATURDAY SPECIAL – WORLD NAVAL BASE VISIT.

    By popular request, a return visit to the ‘World Naval Base’ and ropeworks at Chatham Dockyards.

    Wednesday 15th March

    ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

    Saturday 25th March

    MILLENNIUM ANNUAL DINNER.

  • 1999-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    AUTUMN PROGRAMME 1999

    Wednesday 6th October

    A CRUISE AROUND BRITAIN.

    Ken Shaw, association member, on his sail around Britain in 1998 “by Orkney and by Wrath and by Corryvreckan too.”

    Wednesday 13th October

    CURRENT CHARTING.

    Jeremy Davies-Webb, of U.K. Hydrographic Office, explains the background to modern charting methods, digital charts and their use by the leisure sailor.

    Wednesday 20th October

    A WHOLE HEAP OF JUNK.

    With the emphasis on self-built boats and Chinese Junks, Lynda Chidell discusses the merits of cruising as a way of life.

    Saturday 23rd October

    LIFE RAFT SPECIAL.

    Graham Gardner, of Suffolk Sailing and Liferafts, returns for this practical hands-on life raft demonstration in the pool and tips on cold water survival. A MUST for serious cruisers.

    Wednesday 27th October

    CRUISING AROUND DENMARK.

    Karin Wilkinson and Andrew Walker, association members, describe their 4 month cruise to and around Denmark – visiting the Friesian Islands, the Kiel Canal, the Baltic and Bornholm.

    Tuesday 2nd November

    METEOROLOGY.

    A visit to the Meteorological Office, Bracknell.

    Wednesday 3rd November

    GREENLAND 1998 – IN THE STEPS OF TILMAN.

    Atlantic storms, a knockdown, mountain summits, ice routes – the Rev. Bob Shepton, winner of the Tilman medal, recounts them all.

    Wednesday 10th November

    FROM CONCEPTION TO BERTH.

    David Marsh, from Motor Boat and Yachting, takes us through the design and building processes involved in getting a contemporary production boat from drawing board to water.

    Wednesday 17th November

    THE MYSTERY OF NAPOLEON’S DEATH SOLVED!

    Association member, Wolfgang Ansorge, talks about his voyages in the South

    Atlantic and to the island of St. Helena, which lead to an amazing find.

    Saturday 20th November

    BRISTOL DOCKS.

    A visit to the S. S. Great Britain and The Matthew, ending at Harvey’s Wine Cellar for Sherry tasting.

    Wednesday 24th November

    THE WIND IS FREE.

    Noel Dilly advises whether we need a sail or a mechanical device.

    Wednesday 1st December

    THE RIGHT BOAT FOR THE RIGHT JOB.

    James Jermain, yachting authority, editor and journalist discusses the alternatives.

    Wednesday 8th December

    CAST OFF FOR CHRISTMAS.

    Your chance to amuse, inform or confess.

  • 1999-H1 – Programme – Spring

    SPRING PROGRAMME 1999

    Wednesday 6th January

    THE UPS AND DOWNS OF OCEAN RACING.

    John Chittenden describes the ups & downs of racing both ways around the world.

    Wednesday 13th January

    FERRY TO THE FALKLANDS.

    Master Mariner, Capt Chris Clark, recounts events in 1982 when his •cross channel ferry was requisitioned to help recapture the Falklands.

    Wednesday 20th January.

    THE WHITBREAD ON BRUNEL SYNERGIE

    Stuart Quarrie on racing in the Whitbread on a low budget – only $4.5m.

    Wednesday 27th January

    HISTORY BENEATH THE SEA.

    The maritime archaeology of the Solent area by Brian Sparks and Gary Momber of the Hants and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology.

    Wednesday 3rd February

    FIRST AID AT SEA.

    Dr. Robert Hadley advises on the First Aid Kit and how to use it plus dealing with head injuries.

    Saturday 6th February

    R.Y.A. FIRST AID PART II.

    The remainder of the course for the R.Y.A. First Aid certificate which includes dealing with emergencies.

    Wednesday 10th February

    A TRIBUTE TO BRITANNIA.

    John Godfrey describes Britannia’s last voyage to Portsmouth and her decommissioning.

    Wednesday 17th February

    AROUND THE WORLD THE WRONG WAY.

    Glyn Hughes, Association member, relates his experiences on the B.T. Challenge.

    Wednesday 24th February

    OWL TO IRELAND.

    Peter Bruce on cruising to Southern Ireland and a visit to anchorages known and less well known.

    Saturday 27th February

    COOKERY FOR SAILORS.

    A practical course on preparing one-pot meals.

    Wednesday 3rd March

    THE RIGHT BOAT FOR THE RIGHT JOB.

    James Jermain, of Yachting Monthly, discusses the alternatives.

    Saturday 6th March

    OUTBOARDS

    A practical course on servicing small outboards.

    Wednesday 10th March

    ALONE ACROSS THE ATLANTIC – AGAIN!

    Following her recent success in the Route du Rhum, Ellen MacArthur returns to recount her latest adventures.

    Wednesday 17th March

    A.G.M.

    Saturday 20th March

    ANNUAL DINNER AND PRIZE GIVING.

  • 1998-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    AUTUMN PROGRAMME 1998

    Wednesday 7th October

    A STOPPING TRIP ACROSS THE SOUTH PACIFIC.

    Dr. Dick Allan goes off the beaten track on the Trade Winds Rally.
    Wednesday 14th October

    THAMES TRADITIONAL BOATS.

    An illustrated talk on the development of traditional boats and boat building on the Thames by Colin Henwood, foremost builder and restorer of these crafts.
    Saturday 17th October

    REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF G.R.P.

    A repeat of the hands-on course designed to teach techniques required for expert D.I.Y. maintenance of GRP.
    Wednesday 21st October

    ALONE ACROSS THE ATLANTIC – AT 21.

    By popular request, Ellen MacArthur returns to describe her experiences before and during the ‘Mini Transar race, in her 21 ft boat “Le Poisson”.
    Wednesday 28th October

    DESIDERATA CRUISES HOME

    The O’Connells return to tell the second half of their circumnavigation of Europe, from Majorca through the Canal du Midi to Lymington.
    Wednesday 4th November

    COASTGUARD SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION ON THE SOUTH COAST.

    The crewing, training and operation of the coast guard helicopter based at Lee-on-Solent covering the south coast and central channel areas.
    Wednesday 11th November

    RACING ROUND THE WORLD.

    Around the world with Paul Clark following the Tea Clipper routes in the 1996 yacht race.
    Wednesday 18th November

    THE TWO R’s OF SAILING – REEFING AND RIGGING.

    Andy Cassell discusses the pro’s and con’s of different types of reefing and Den Maidment offers advice on the care and maintenance of rigging.
    Saturday 21st November

    SOLENT COASTGUARD STATION.

    A visit to the Coastguard Station at Lee-on-Solent including inspection of the S.A.R. helicopter.
    Wednesday 25th November

    FRENCH AFFAIRS

    John Pell gives an account of some of the delights of cruising in Northern France and Brittany.
    Wednesday 2nd December

    ADVANCED CRUISING AND BOAT HANDLING TECHNIQUES.

    James Stevens, National Coach of the R.Y.A. retums with more expert advice on pilotage, boat handling and passage making.
    Wednesday 9th December

    CAST OFF FOR CHRISTMAS

     

  • 1998-H1 – Programme – Spring

    SPRING PROGRAMME 1998

    Wednesday 7th January

    EPISODES FROM THE DAYS OF SAIL

    An illustrated lecture by Adrian Seligman the square rig sailor and author.

    Wednesday 14th January

    ‘DESIDERATA’ CRUISES FROM LYMINGTON TO MAJORCA

    Frank 0′ Connell narrates this cruise in a Westerly Consort 29′.

    Wednesday 21st January

    YACHT BROKERAGE

    So you want to sell your boat? Patrick Boyd, broker, describes the do’s and don’ts of such a sale.

    Wednesday 28th January

    FLORIDA TO CAPE COD

    David and Sepha Wood describe a cruise up the east coast of America in “Tehari II” – a salar 40′.

    Saturday 31st January

    MARINE ELECTRICAL COURSE

    Covering maintenance and safety, batteries, multi meters, legislation, starting and lighting systems, voltage drop, marine components and basic fault finding.

    Wednesday 4th February

    BOAT LAW

    By special request solicitor David Johnston returns to discuss some of the legal problems facing boat owners including insurance, sales, purchase and salvage.

    Wednesday 11th February

    AN UP-DATE OF MARINE ELECTRONICS

    Keith Miller reviews electronics from communications and navigation to general instrumentation.

    Wednesday 18th February

    SAILS

    Mike Batt talks of design, construction and use of sails for cruising yachtsmen.

    Wednesday 25th February

    SAFETY AT SEA

    Peter Bradley, Sea Safety Liason Officer of the R.N.L.I. will advise on do’s and don’ts and suggest remedies for our safety.

    Saturday 28th February

    PRACTICAL ROPE & BRAID WORK

    Alan Banton of English Braids will give a short talk and then give a “hand on” practical demonstration of 3 strand and braid splicing.

    Wednesday 4th March

    COMING HOME?

    David Lane, Association Member, describes a cruise from Greece, around the Italian coast to Sardinia and the Balearics with some thoughts on Mediterranean cruising.

    Wednesday 11th March

    ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

    To be held at Gerrards Cross Memorial Centre at 8.15 p.m.

    Saturday 14ttiMarch

    ANNUAL DINNER

    To be held at the Beaconsfield Golf Club.

    RALLIES 1998
    •  13th June at Bembridge.
    • 12th September at Port Solent
  • 1997-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    AUTUMN PROGRAMME 1997

    Wednesday 8th October

    Mary Rose

    Ted Sutton, a member of the “Mary Rose” Information Group and Association member relates the finding, raising and preservation of the famous “Mary Rose”.

    Wednesday 15th October

    Sailing East by South to Holland

    Gordon Wood, Association member, describes a cruise in “Kwenda”.

    Wednesday 22nd October

    Cruising in Brittany

    Peter Cumberledge, the well-known Sailor and Author describes “Cruising in Brittany”.
    Wednesday 29th October

    TRINIDAD & TOBAGO REGATTA WEEK

    Rum and Sun – The ultimate Sailing Holiday – Peter Poland, Director of Hunter Boats, talks about this enjoyable experience.
    Wednesday 5th November

    Greenland

    Willy Kerr – describes a cruise up the east coast of Greenland and High Latitude sailing.

    Wednesday 12th November

    Round Britain Cruise

    Jeff and Gillian Thatcher relate a Round Britain Cruise from the Solent in a Colvic 26 Motor Cruiser.
    Wednesday 19th November

    Circumnavigating the World

    Clive and Sally Roberts describe the Trials and Tribulations of a circumnavigation.
    Saturday 22nd November

    Diesel Engine Course by J. Chapman of Volvo.

    Wednesday 26th November

    MEANDERING AROUND THE GREEK ISLANDS WITH SAILING HOLIDAYS LTD

    Barrie Neilson introduces – Flotilla and Independent sailing in the most beautiful of areas. Wander from island to island, village to village. taverna to taverna.

    Saturday 29th November

    V.H.F. Course and exam at Fulmer Hall given by N. Thomas.

    Wednesday 3rd December

    Coping with adverse conditions

    James Stevens, R.Y.A. National Coach.

    …including tactics, pilotage and sailing in extreme weather.

    Wednesday 10th December

    CAST OFF FOR CHRISTMAS

  • 1997-H1 – Programme – Spring

    SPRING PROGRAMME 1997

    Wednesday 8th January

    SAIL NORTH FROM PLYMOUTH

    Explore the Tamar past and present with members Jill and David Lane. Designated an area of outstanding natural beauty in 1996 but one of the busiest commercial rivers in England serving the largest copper port in Europe.

    Wednesday 15th January

    ‘J’ CLASS YACHTS

    Racing in the 1930’s. Unique film shot in the Solent and on the East coast between 1931 and 1939 and presented by Rosemary Joy.

    Wednesday 22nd January

    ASSOCIATION MEMBER PETER NEWMAN

    Relates his experiences up to 1949 including coastal erosion, Hamble River, shipbuilding, trawl fishing, the first marina and sailing adventures with an 1890 Thames One Design to France and yacht delivery to Greece.

    Wednesday 29th January

    SEA TALES FROM THE GREEK ISLANDS IN TIME OF WAR.

    Adrian Seligman talks about his adventures in small boats at that time.

    Wednesday 5th February

    THE 1992/3 BRITISH STEEL & 1996/7 B.T. GLOBAL CHALLENGE.

    Michael Kay describes the setting up, planning and running of these global races.

    Wednesday 12th February

    CRUISE TO SCOTLAND.

    Peter Bruce that well known author takes us from Lymington to Scotland and back via St. Kilda.

    Wednesday 19th February

    OLYMPIC SILVER, SAVANNAH 1996

    Ian Walker, who with John Merricks, won a silver medal at the 1996 Olympics, describe their experience both before and during the event..

    Wednesday 26th February

    HOME FROM RUSSIA VIA THE FORMER EASTERN BALTIC STATES

    David and Sepha Wood describe this fascinating cruise.

    Wednesday 5th March

    BASIC FIRST AID FOR YACHTSMEN

    Mrs. Jean Andrews M.B.E. S.R.N. will talk about resuscitation and incident management as well as treating casualties at sea.

    Saturday 8th March

    SATURDAY SPECIAL: FLARES DEMONSTRATION

    At Rickmansworth Sailing Club. Bring your old out-of-date flares.

    Wednesday 12th March

    ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

    At Gerrards Cross Memorial Centre at 8.15 p.m. Including a Boat Jumble Sale.

    15th March

    ANNUAL DINNER

    At the Beaconsfield Golf Club.

     

  • 1996-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    AUTUMN PROGRAMME 1996

    Wednesday 9th October

    TESTING, TESTING, TESTING

    James Jermain, Deputy Editor of Yachting Monthly, reveals the secrets and techniques used in their now famous boat tests.
    Wednesday 16th October

    RADAR

    Mr Tim Bartlett F.R.I.N., Technical Editor of Motorboat and Yachting, talks about radar for small boats.

    Saturday 19th October

    GETTING TO GRIPS WITH GRP-SATURDAY SPECIAL

    The Marine Engineering Training Centre in Burchetts Green near Maidenhead opens its doors for a practical course on GRP repairs and maintenance – all materials included. As numbers are restricted to eight early booking is suggested.
    Wednesday 23rd October

    I WOULD LIKE TO GO TO SEA WITH MY UNCLE MAURICE

    A 12 year old midshipman joined the Navy on 21st January 1771 – his name was Horatio Nelson and the rest is history. Stephen Riley of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, tells the story of the boy who became a national hero.
    Wednesday 30th October

    THE LEGENDARY FAIREY MARINE-50 YEARS ON

    Charles and Gordon Currie chronicle the family’s association with the design and construction of classic dinghies, sailing cruisers and powerboats. Unique archive film will be shown to illustrate the founding of Fairey Marine 50 years ago.
    Wednesday 6th November

    ROUND THE WORLD WITH A DIFFERENCE

    “Blue Water Medallist” Rev Bob Shepton describes a world circumnavigation in a Westerly 33 Discus with a young crew via the Falklands, Antarctica, Cape Horn, the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans.
    Saturday 9th November

    LIFERAFT SATURDAY EVENING SPECIAL

    Bring your swimwear and a lifejacket for this practical hands-on liferaft demonstration by Graham Gardner of Suffolk Sailing at the Chalfont St Peter Leisure Centre swimming pool.
    Wednesday 13th November

    CRUISING THE SPANISH RIAS

    Gerry and Margaret Elliott share their experiences exploring the little known estuaries on the Atlantic seaboard of Northern Spain.
    Wednesday 20th November

    SINGLE-HANDED ROUND BRITAIN AT 18

    Ellen MacArthur recounts the challenging 1,800 mile trip she made last year single-handed round Britain in her Corribee 21.
    Wednesday 27th November

    RUSTING THROUGH AND DROPPING OFF

    Mike Rickard and Eddie Cumick of MG Duff talk about electrolysis and corrosion in small boats.
    Wednesday 4th December

    ORIENTAL SPICE

    Club members Mavis and Alun Roberts divulge some oriental secrets during their illustrated talk on chartering in Thailand.
    Wednesday 11th December

    CAST OFF FOR CHRISTMAS

    The annual pre-Christmas bash with seasonal mulled wine and mince pies

     

  • 1996-H1 – Programme – Spring

    SPRING PROGRAMME 1996

    Wednesday 10th January

    NEW ZEALAND SOUNDS WONDERFUL AND NO! NOT TURKEY AGAIN

    GXSA member Fred Hughes takes a retrospective look at two contrasting cruising areas
    Wednesday 17th January

    TALES OF THAMES BARGES

    Richard Walsh, chairman of the Thames Barge Sailing Match, talks about the history and characteristics of these unique trading craft and the lifestyle of their crews.
    Wednesday 24th January

    THE CRAFT AND CREEKS OF THE EAST COAST

    Charles Stock, an authority on the East Coast and a contributor to yachting magazines, gives an illustrated talk on barges, smacks and gaff yachts together with details of many of the East Coast’s beautiful rivers.
    Wednesday 31st January

    WITH HMS ENDURANCE TO THE ANTARCTIC BEFORE THE FALKLANDS WAR

    Bob Mahoney our presenter was a civilian cameraman on what was supposed to be the last voyage of HMS Endurance. His slide commentary will take us to the Southern Ocean.
    Wednesday 7th February

    HEAVY WEATHER SAILING

    Inveterate tempest seeker Noel Dilly, correspondent to Yachting Monthly, will relate his experiences and explain how to prepare your boat and crew for surviving heavy weather.
    Wednesday 14th February

    Hampshire Marine Police

    PC Ian Hill

    A talk on the Marine Police’s activity in the Solent and provides up-to-date marine security techniques for boat owners
    Wednesday 21st February

    CIRCUMNAVIGATING SOUTHERN ENGLAND!

    Can you stay afloat in a fast sailing cruiser on passage from the Isle of Wight through London and Bristol via Newbury? Chris and Alice Turner illustrate how.
    Wednesday 28th February

    ELECTROLYSIS AND CORROSION

    Mike Rickard and Eddie Curnick of M G Duff talk about electrolysis and corrosion in small boats.
    Wednesday 6th March

    CARIBBEAN VOYAGE

    Hugh and Angela Farrant continue the tales of their epic voyage to the Caribbean in Spring Gold II and now relate the retum passage and their visit to the Azores.
    Saturday 9th March

    WEATHER FOR SAILING

    A practical teach-in by Alan Watts with an in-depth discussion on the useful aspects of forecasting for small boat sailing.
    Wednesday 13th March

    ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

    This year the AGM will be followed by a film.

    Friday 15th Marc

    30th ANNIVERSARY DINNER

    This 30th Anniversary dinner will be held at the Royal Thames Yacht Club where the Guest of Honour will be Robin Aisher.
  • 1995-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    AUTUMN PROGRAMME 1995

    Wed 4th October

    Staying in Full Control in Unfamiliar Waters

    John Goode of the Southern Sailing School will give tips and wrinkles on pilotage in unfamiliar waters.
    Wed 11th October

    Channel Alternatives

    Join Ken Endean on an imaginary cruise around the western channel, visiting lesser known harbours, anchorages and sheltered coves.
    Wed 18th October

    Conflict in Inshore Waters – Real or Imaginary?

    Harbour Master and Deputy Port Manager, Southampton – Captain James Chestnutt makes a welcome return visit to the Association and will analyse the issues and identify the problems associated with the management of inshore traffic. A seminar format will be used to encourage dialogue and debate.
    Wed 25th October

    Life in Nelson’s Navy

    Brian Lavery from the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich gives us a close-up view of life forthe officers and crew in the time of Nelson. He looks at daily life aboard ship – food, drink, entertainment and the horrors plus the excitement of battle.
    Wed 1st November

    The Frisian Islands

    Ted Osborn – the well known sailing journalist – shares his many experiences in the Frisian Islands. The illustrated talk takes us from the North of Holland, along the North Sea coast of Germany as far as Denmark.
    Wed 8th November

    Production Boat Building in the UK

    Peter Thomas of Westerly – Britain’s largest manufacturer of sailing boats –describes the process of constructing a GRP sailing yacht, from plug to mould to finished yacht.
    Sat 11th November

    Saturday Special – Visit to SS Great Britain

    This visit to Bristol to go aboard Brunel’s massive flagship of the steam revolution may also include a visit to Harveys, of Bristol Cream fame. If you would like to be included please see the noticeboard.
    Wed 15th November

    Round the World in Blackjack

    Mike and Pat Pocock give an illustrated account taken from their seven year voyage which included time spent in the remote parts of Alaska.
    Wed 22nd November

    Batteries on Board

    Eric Millett – an authority on batteries and chargers – explains how batteries charge, discharge and die. Dispel the myths and mysteries and you too can run a trouble-free electrical system on board.
    Wed 29th November

    The Delta Area of Holland

    Stuart Bradley gives us the benefit of his extensive cruises in Holland. He advises on getting there, avoiding problems, routes to follow in the delta area plus a look at the ljsselmeere and Friesland.
    Wed 6th December

    Cast Off for Christmas

    Mulled wine and mince pies with light entertainment. Fri 15th March 1996 30th Anniversary Dinner

    This year’s annual dinner will be at the Royal Thames Yacht Club and the Guest of Honour will be Robin Aisher.

  • 1995-H1 – Programme – Spring

    SPRING PROGRAMME 1995

    Wed 11th January

    Great Ships of the North Atlantic

    Peter Jackson, a captain of the QE2 and of Falklands experience, presents an illustrated talk with pictures from 1893 onwards, covering the Blue Riband battle and the triumphs and disasters of those memorable ships.
    Wed 18th January

    Sea and Estuary Birds

    Victor Scott, an experienced ornithologist and lecturer, offers an illustrated talk on the birds we see from our yachts whilst sailing in British coastal waters.
    Wed 25th January

    Six Atlantic Days in a Tinker Dinghy

    Geoff Hales has a graphic description of two men’s survival after “Minitech” lost her keel in AZAB ’91. No punches pulled nor apologises for failure. Plenty of lessons for all of us to learn – plus a personal appearance by the favourite linker.
    Wed 1st February

    Safe and Warm

    The importance of safety is critical. Keith Musto explains that being warm and active plays a major part in safety as well as in our enjoyment of sailing.

    Wed 8th February

    Sailing with the Round Britain Rally

    Andrew Bishop of Epic Ventures will give an illustrated talk on the planning, places visited and events organised during this midsummer rally.
    Wed 15th February

    Across the Atlantic and Caribbean to Haiti and US Coast

    Nick Ryley who gave us a fascinating talk last Spring on Arctic Sailing, returns to entertain us further with slides and tales of another voyage.
    Wed 22nd February

    HM Customs and Exercise Update 1995

    Will Robinson reviews the past, present and future of the Service. He will emphasise the need for the help and co-operation of yachtsmen.
    Wed 1st March

    South Pacific

    Intrepid voyager and raconteur – club member Wolfgang Ansorge recounts his recent passage through the South Seas on board the brigantine Soren Larsen.

    Wed 8th March

    In Greek Waters

    After four summers exploring the Greek coastline and islands GXSA members David and Gill Lane will review the main cruising areas and highlight their favourite places.
    Sat 11th March

    Saturday Special Visit to the Historic Dockyard Chatham

    To apply for this special all day visit please put your name on the notice board list. Limited numbers so follow up with Peter Upcher.
    Wed 15th March

    AGM plus the ‘Bring and Buy”

    The Annual General Meeting will be followed by a members “Nautical Bring and Buy Sale” (See the notice board for details).
    Fri 17th March

    The Association Dinner

    The annual dinner will be held at the Beaconsfield Golf Club, Seer Green.

  • 1994-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    AUTUMN PROGRAMME 1994

    Wednesday 5th October

    WOMAN OF STEEL

    Vivian Cherry describes an adventure of a lifetime for crew and skipper alike. T o be cold, wet and tired racing around the world against the prevailing winds and currents. A skipper’s inside view of the British Steel Challenge.

    Wednesday 12 October

    SAILING IN ALASKA

    Chris Lewis will relate his sailing experiences in Alaska which included windsurfing, ice boat sailing, cruising and racing.
    Wednesday 19th October

    CRUISING IN THE GREAT LAKES

    Members Alun and Mavis Roberts tell about their holiday with American friends.

    Wednesday 26th October

    OLD FATHER THAMES

    Neil Garside, a professional boat builder and an authority on the Thames, will talk on the local history of the river and its wooden boats.

    (Come early and support the RNU stall.)

    Wednesday 2nd November

    CLOUDS AND THE WEATHER

    Alan Watts the well known writer on yachting meteorology will tell us how to look for and try to understand some of the signs in the sky.

    Wednesday 9th November

    IN THE WAKE OF SHACKLETON

    Trevor Potts recounts the recent re-creation of Shackleton’s 800 mile voyage across the Southern Ocean in a 23 foot boat in a desperate bid to summon rescue for the crew of Endurance.
    Saturday 12th November

    SATURDAY SPECIAL

    The first of two small parties of 15 will visit the Meteorological Office at Bracknell. The visit will be repeated on November 26th. Early booking needed via notice board.

    Wednesday 16th Novmber

    THE RNLI — A MORE PROACTIVE APPROACH

    Mike Vlasto the RNLI Sea Safety Officer presents an update on recent develop­ments within the Institution, including Navaids, training and the new sea safety initiative.

    Wednesday 23rd November

    CIRCUMNAVIGATION 1991-1993

    Keith Braint describes some experiences in his Nicholson 32 visiting-the Pacific Islands of Polynesia and Melanesia and from Darwin through the Timor and South China Seas to Bali, Singapore and Thailand.

    Wednesday 30th November

    MODERN BOAT PAINTS

    Tom White of International Paints will discuss modern antifouling and topside paints —what to use and how to apply it. Hopefully he will have a new development to report

    Wednesday 7th December

    CAST OFF FOR CHRISTMAS

    Something different again this year —fun and games. Mulled wine and mince pies are planned as usual.

     

  • 1994-H1 – Programme – Spring

    SPRING PROGRAMME 1994

    Wednesday 12th January

    IN TURKISH WATERS

    Join GXSA members David and Gil Lane as they explore the anchorages and archeology of Turkey.
    Wednesday 19th January

    UNDERSTANDING SEA BREEZES

    Oceanographer Dr. Jonathan Taylor will describe and give examples of the cause and effect of sea breezes.
    Wednesday 26th January

    RADAR FOR THE AVERAGE YACHTSMAN

    Radar the all seeing eye — or is it? Tim Bartlett of Motor Boat and Yachting will tell us about modern radar equipment for yachts.
    Wednesday 2nd February

    ARCTIC HIGH — AN ADVENTURE NORTH OF 80degN

    Nick Ryley will describe his 1984 sail aboard the 62 ft. “Warbaby” crossing the Barents Sea, coasting Svalbard to Moffen Island.
    Wednesday 9th February

    PRIMROSE AND OTHER BOATS

    Recent exciting finds in marine archeology will be outlined by Valerie Fenwick.
    Wednesday 16th February

    A VOYAGE TO TRISTAN DA CUNHA

    GXSA member Wolfgang Ansorge recalls his visit to “The Loneliest Island in the World” aboard RMS St. Helena. (Unusual items to be raffled in aid of The Tristan da Cunha Charitable Trust.)
    Wedesday 23rd February

    YOUR MARINE COLOUR SLIDES

    A chance for members to show and comment on their slides. Marcus Taylor of Marcus Taylor Offshore Photography will give a short introduction and make constructive comments.
    Wednesday 2nd March

    THE FALKLAND ISLANDS

    A welcome return visit from Stephen Riley of the Greenwich Museum staff. This time he will tell us about the war, shipwrecks, hulks and wildlife of the Falklands.
    Wednesday 9th March

    SEASTART

    Solent trouble shooter Toby Kilner will describe his work adding some anecdotes dealing with mechanical failures afloat.
    Saturday 12th March

    SATURDAY SPECIAL – RETURN VISIT TO THE SOLENT COASTGUARD

    To apply for this HQ visit please put your name on the notice board form. Limited numbers so follow up with Peter Upcher.
    Wednesday 16th march

    AGM, FOLLOWED BY A MEMBERS “BRING AND BUY” SALE

    The Annual General Meeting will be followed by a members “Nautical Bring and Buy Sale”. (See the notice board for details.)
    Friday 18th March

    THE ASSOCIATION DINNER

    The annual dinner will be held at the Beaconsfield Golf Club, Seer Green.

    Admission to members and guests by reservation only, via Paul Harper

  • 1993-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    AUTUMN PROGRAMME 1993

    Wednesday 6th October

    THE TOUGHEST YACHT RACE EVER

    (Members only evening-numbers limited to 135)

    As a follow up to his superb reports in the Daily Telegraph, Mike Calvin will recount his participation in the British Steel Challenge race on board Hoffbrau Lager.

    Wednesday 13th October

    HIGH SPEED NAVIGATION FOR LOW SPEED SAILORS

    Captain Richard Bickford of British Airways compares navigation in somewhat different dimensions—not to say planes!
    Wednesday 20th October

    THE ATLANTIC RALLY FOR CRUISERS (ARC)

    Sail with Caribbean bound GXSA members Hugh and Angela Farrant. This time take the easy way across in Spring Gold II.
    Wednesday 27th October

    COMPACT CRUISING

    Anne and Dennis Kell recall their experiences of coastal and inland cruising throughout the British Isles.

    (Come early and support the R.N.L.I. stall)

    Wednesday 3rd November

    AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY MINUTES

    Founder of the successful Atlantic Rally for cruisers, Jimmy Cornell, will discuss the highlights and problems in organising his first Europa Round the World Rally.
    Wednesday 10th November

    KWENDA’S RETURN

    By special request Gordon Wood, ably assisted by wife Rosemary and Gil Ireland, will tell of “every day a new experience” during Kwenda’s return home from Bordeaux.
    Saturday 13th November

    SATURDAY SPECIAL – VISIT TO THE NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM

    To apply for this all day visit to Greenwich please put your name on the notice board.
    Wednesday 17th November

    SAIL MAKING AND SAIL CLOTHS

    Ivan Bole of Arun Sails describes some of the whys and wherefores of producing good sails.
    Wednesday 24th November

    THE INSHORE LIFEBOAT

    The ups and downs of life on the Hayling Lifeboat by helmsman Roderick James. (Come early-your last chance to get your R.N.L.I. Christmas gifts)
    Wednesday 1st December

    THE TITANIC — 80 YEARS OF LEGEND

    David Hutchings will talk of the White Star Shipping Line and the fateful maiden voyage of its most famous ship, including accounts of survivors and recent diving discoveries.
    Wednesday 8th December

    CAST OFF FOR CHRISTMAS

    Music, Nautical Fun, Mince Pies and Mulled Wine.
  • 1993-H1 – Programme – Spring

    SPRING PROGRAMME 1993

    Wednesday 13th January

    MEDITERRANEAN CRUISING

    Travel along with GXSA members David and Gill Lane as they cruise from the Rhone to Rhodes.
    Wednesday 20th January

    COMMON SENSE ELECTRICS AND ELECTRONICS IN BOATS

    Matthew Walker and Mike McAllister of Mainstream Marine Electronics will discuss a practical approach to everyday electrics.
    Wednesday 27th January

    “THE YACHTSMAN” AND THE BREST CLASSIC RALLY 1992

    Tom Cunliffe, editor of The Yachtsman founded in 1891, will discuss its relaunching and introduce us to some of the magnificent classic vessels at the Brest Rally.
    Wednesday 3rd February

    A VERY RUM PUNCH

    Association members Mavis and Alun Roberts will talk light-heartedly about their chartering in the Caribbean.
    Wednesday 10th February

    SPRING CRUSADER

    Ex-Association member Douglas Horton will describe his transition from dinghy to cruiser sailing which included a flotilla delivery passage from Yugoslavia to Turkey.
    Wednesday 17th February

    ROPES THEIR TYPES AND RECOMMENDED USES

    Mark Durbidge of Marlow Ropes will talk on the manufacture and recommended uses of ropes together with a demonstration of splicing.
    Wednesday 24th February

    IRISH WATERS CRUISING

    W.M. (Winkle) Nixon the well-known cruising correspondent of Yachting World will take us to Irish waters with the aid of slides.
    Wednesday 3rd March

    PILOTAGE IN CREEKS AND HARBOURS

    John Goode Principal of the Southern Sailing School and author of the “Let’s do it under sail” articles will give us hints for sailing in close waters.
    Wednesday 10th March

    WORKING SAIL

    Irene is a 1907 West Country trading ketch and the last working survivor of a vast fleet. Dr. Leslie Morrish will tell us about the history of Irene and her new career.
    Saturday 13th March

    SATURDAY SPECIAL – VISIT TO COASTGUARD AT LEE ON SOLENT

    To apply for this headquarters visit please put your name on the notice board form. Numbers are limited so follow up with Peter Upcher.
    Wednesday 17th March

    AGM AND FILM

    The Annual General Meeting will be followed by a film or video—title to be announced.
    Friday 19th March

    THE ASSOCIATION DINNER

    The Annual Dinner will be held at the Bull Hotel, Gerrards Cross. Admission to members and guests by reservation only via Paul Harper

     

  • 1992-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    AUTUMN PROGRAMME 1992

    Wednesday 7th October

    RACE ROUND THE ISLAND

    Commander Peter Bruce will pilot our way around the Isle of Wight and illustrate the pitfalls to avoid.
    Wednesday 14th October

    TO THE NORTH CAPE AND BEYOND

    Ex-Association member John Jarvis will describe a trip with wife, Rosemary, in a Norwegian coastal ferry boat to the Arctic Circle.
    Wednesday 21st October

    TIDES AND WATER MOVEMENTS IN THE SOLENT AREA

    Dr. Jonathan Taylor of the Oceanography Department of Southampton University will explain some of the interesting features of the tides about the Solent.
    Saturday 24th October

    SATURDAY SPECIAL — DIESEL ENGINES

    By special request, a repeat of Volvo’s teach-in on diesel engine care and maintenance. Limited to 12 so book early with payment to Gil Ireland.
    Wednesday 28th October

    AN EVENING OF NAUTICAL FILMS

    Alan Willmott of Windjammer Films will show four films including. Sailing to the Cape in black and white, Surf Boat off Accra in colour, one on the Malcolm Miller anci one Australian production.
    Wednesday 4th November

    TRANSATLANTIC EXPERIENCES

    Richard Clifford will tell us about his many experiences—with special emphasis on planning, navigation and heavy weather.
    Wednesday 11th November

    ADMIRALTY CHARTS — AN UPDATE

    Rear Admiral J.A.L. Myers, F.R.I.C.S.—Hydrographer to the Navy—will give us an update on the work of his department in preparing charts including the new Small Craft edition.
    Saturday 14th November

    SATURDAY SPECIAL — FLARES

    A practical demonstration of flares by P. Redway of The Wheelhouse School of Navigation. To be held at the Rickmansworth Sailing Club, West Hyde from 1400 hours. Limited numbers so book early with payment to Peter Upcher.
    Wednesday 18th November

    ORGANISING THE WHITBREAD RACE

    Bailey Wilmot, race director, will give an insight into the detailed planning which makes the Whitbread Race such an international success.

    Wednesday 25th November .

    A CENTAUR ODESSEY and   

    SAILING DOWNHILL TO THE GRENADINES

    An Association member’s double bill. Roger Banks will describe the trials and tribulations of preparing an old Centaur for active service. David Henriques will tell us about sailing downwind to the Grenadines in a 60 ft. schooner.
    Wednesday 2nd December

    YACHT MOUNTAINEERING

    Up the Seine, down the Rhone and back via the Midi. Gordon and Rosemary Wood take Kwenda, their Southerly 1.15, through the French canals.
    Wednesday 9th December

    CAST OFF FOR CHRISTMAS

    Again by special request, Tom Round and friends will add music to our nautical fun. As usual there will be mince pies and mulled wine

     

  • 1992-H1 – Programme – Spring

    SPRING PROGRAMME 1992

    Wednesday 15th January

    THE KIWI MAGIC

    Association member Fred Hughes will talk about three of the cruising areas of New Zealand and show some fiordland scenes of Milford and Doubtful “Sounds”.
    Wednesday 22nd January

    THE THREE PEAKS RACE

    John Driscoll describes the RYA Seamanship Foundation’s attack on the Three Peaks Race in the catamaran Sealegs.
    Wednesday 29th January

    CRUISING THROUGH THE FRENCH CANALS

    By special request Association member David Lane will recount how he enjoyed taking his boat Psalm to the Mediterranean via the scenic route.
    Wednesday 5th February

    HALBERG RASSEY THE QUALITY YACHT

    Jeff Taylor of Halberg Rassey will discuss the new design of their yachts and recount his experiences on the 1989 Two-handed Round Britain race.
    Wednesday 12th February

    PROPELLER POWER

    Simon Green of Poole Propulsions will talk about matching the right propeller to the engine and boat combination.
    Wednesday 19th February

    KIEL AND BEYOND

    Dr Malcolm McLaren will relate his adventures from Guernsey to Kiel followed by his cruise around the Danish Isles and the Swedish coast aboard Malmac.
    Wednesday 26th February

    THE QUEEN’S HARBOUR MASTER, PORTSMOUTH

    Captain J.S. Chestnut RN, will review the history, statutory duties and current operations in the Solent area and suggest possible solutions to safety problems.
    Saturday 29th February

    “SATURDAY SPECIAL”

    DIESEL ENGINE CARE AND MAINTENANCE

    John Chapman of Volvo Penta will lead a “hands on” diesel engine teach-in.
    Wednesday 4th March

    BRITISH CAPE HORN KAYAK EXPEDITION 1992

    Nigel Dennis, Principal of the Anglesey School of Sea Canoeing will describe how he piloted John Ridgeway and his daughter Rebecca around the Horn in kayaks.
    Wednesday 11 th March

    COLUMBUS 500 YEARS LATER

    John Hamilton JP, Chairman of the Race Committee for the Grand Regatta, Columbus ’92, retraces this epic voyage of discovery. He will discuss the replica ships being built and tell of the other craft taking part.
    Wednesday 18th March

    A.G.M. PLUS FILM

    The Annual General Meeting will be followed by a film or video. (The title will be announced in good time.)
    Friday 20th March

    ANNUAL DINNER

    The Association Dinner will be held at the Bull Hotel, Gerrards Cross. Admission to members and guests by ticket only obtained from the Hon.Secretary

     

  • 1991-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    AUTUMN PROGRAMME 1991

    Wednesday 9th October

    ROUND THE WORLD IN MAIDEN

    Nancy Hill, sail trimmer, narrates her experiences as a member of the ‘all girl’ crew on the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race.
    Wednesday 16th October

    PREPARATION FOR EXTENDED CRUISING

    Association member Graham Lock describes the pleasures and perils involved in commissioning a Contest 46 with a new rig.
    Wednesday 23rd October

    SHIPS FROM 8 TO 1,000 FEET

    Andrew Dawson, Association member, will give an illustrated talk about his life long passion of ship photography.

    (COME EARLY AND SUPPORT THE R.N.L.I. CHRISTMAS STALL)

    Wednesday 30th October

    NORTH BRITTANY PILOTAGE AND PASSAGE MAKING

    Donald Beswick, editor of Adlard Coles North Brittany Pilot distinguishes between the two subjects and explains some practices he has followed.
    Wednesday 6th November

    A QUICK SAIL AROUND THE NORTH ATLANTIC

    The Rev. Bob Shepton, school chaplain and ex-marine, describes a voyage to Greenland and beyond in the wake of the Vikings.
    Wednesday 13th November

    BOAT LAW

    By special request, solicitor David Johnston returns to talk on some of the legal aspects of yachting.
    Saturday 16th November

    “SATURDAY SPECIAL”

    PRACTICAL LIFERAFT TRAINING

    John Driscol, National Sailing Coach of the Royal Yachting Association will lecture on liferafts and their use, followed by practical training in the pool in your ‘oil skins etc’ at the Rickmansworth School, Scots Hill at 1500hrs-1930hrs. Cost £10.00 (limited to thirty). Apply and pay Bob Allman — Treasurer
    Wednesday 20th November

    THE BISCAY COAST OF FRANCE

    Peter Cumberlidge will give an illustrated talk on cruising the Biscay coast in his gaff cutter Stormalong. Up-to-date information will be given on new harbours and marinas.
    Wednesday 27th November

    YOUR RIG AND YOU

    John Passmore MBE of Kemp delves into the design, maintenance and operation of modern cruiser and cruiser/racer rigs and associated sail handling systems.
    Wednesday 4th December

    CARIBBEAN YACHT CHARTER

    Tony Newling-Ward of Sun Days Worldwide Charters describes the areas and options for Caribbean cruising.

    Wednesday 11 th December

    CAST OFF FOR CHRISTMAS

    By special request, Tom Round joins us with music and song. As usual there will be fun puzzles with mince pies and mulled wine

     

  • 1991-H1 – Programme – Spring

    SPRING PROGRAMME 1991

    Wednesday 9th January

    BLUE-PRINT FOR THE ARUN CLASS LIFEBOAT

    Stuart Welford, Research & Development Manager of the R.N.L.I. will describe the process of developing this class of vessel.
    Wednesday 16th January

    TWO STAR — ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

    Our members and the only husband and wife team, Hugh and Angela Farrant will excite us with their adventures in getting there and back in their new Sadler Starlight 38.
    Wednesday 23rd January

    YACHTMASTER

    What it takes to become a Yachtmaster. James Stevens, the R.Y.A. cruising coach explains and also outlines the new design and equipment requirements for Sailing School yachts.
    Wednesday 30th January

    CHARTS & PILOT BOOKS FOR YACHTSMEN

    Willie Wilson, Chairman of Imray Laurie Norie Wilson will describe the work that goes into the preparation and production of the necessities for safe and enjoyable cruising.
    Wednesday 6th February

    ANCHORS AND DROGUES — FACTS AND MYTHS

    Discussed by Bernard Hayman of Yachting World.
    Wednesday 13th February

    CHANCE OF A LIFETIME

    Captain Adrian Allenby, R.N. Master of the Sir Winston Churchill will talk about the work of the Sail Training Association and life aboard the Schooners.
    Saturday 16th February

    “SATURDAY SPECIAL”

    IMPROVE YOUR WEATHER AWARENESS

    Plotting and tracking depressions. David Houghton, Olympic Meteorological adviser, will give a day’s tution.
    Wednesday 20th February

    SOMETHOUGHTS FOR NAVIGATION WHEN MAKING A

    CHANNEL CROSSING

    From Sqn Ldr Ken Burgess, Senior Lecturer in navigation and meteorology at the College of Maritime Studies, Warsash.
    Wednesday 27th February

    FITTED OUT FOR COMFORT AND EFFICIENCY

    Experienced cruising yachtsman, Dr. Malcolm McLaren, illustrates his priorities when fitting out his Moody Grenadier “Malmac” for serious extended off-shore cruising.
    Wednesday 6th March

    VOYAGE OF THE LORNE LEADER

    Association member Wolfgang Ansorge describes his voyage in a 1892 Brixham trawler to St Kilda and the Hebrides including many rarely visited islands.
    Wednesday 13th March

    A.G.M. and VIDEO

    Friday 15th March

    THE ASSOCIATION SILVER JUBILEE DINNER

    at Trinity House, London EC3

    Guest Speaker: Maj Ewen Southby-Tailyour.

     

  • 1990-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    AUTUMN PROGRAMME 1990

    Wednesday 3rd October

    THE YACHTING MONTHLY CONCEPT YACHT -A REVIEW

    Geoff Pack, Assistant Editor describes the design of this offshore cruising yacht and brings us up to date.
    Wednesday 10th October

    WHERE ON EARTH ARE WE?

    Greenham Marine will review modern electronic navigation aids and future trends.
    Wednesday 17th October

    SAILING WITH THE CIRDAN TRUST

    A speaker from the Trust will describe the history, operation, and work of the Trust, and their sailing vessel – including a Baltic Trader and Thames Barge.
    Wednesday 24th October

    RIGHT TO THE BITTER END

    Association Members, Clive and Sally Roberts will give an illustrated talk on their cruising holiday in the British Virgin Islands.

    Come early and support the R.N.L.I. Christmas Stall

    Wednesday 31st October

    PALMERSTONS FOLLY – A HISTORY OF THE SOLENT FORTS

    Nicholas Hall, Curator of Artillery at Fort Nelson will talk about the construction and armament of the Victorian Forts defending Portsmouth and its Royal Dock­yard.
    Wednesday 7th November

    WITH INTEGRITY

    Andy Coghill, Skipper takes us Round the World in the Whitbread.
    Wednesday 14th November

    DUNKIRK LITTLE SHIPS

    Association archivist John Knight will illustrate the history and exploits of the Little Ships.
    Wednesday 21st November

    THE ART OF CORSE SAILING

    Almost a circumnavigation of Corsica with a visit to the Northern tip of Sardinia recounted by Association members Doreen Annan and Fred Hughes.
    Wednesday 28th November

    TRINITY HOUSE

    A brief history and a look into the future of aids to navigation by Captain Malcolm Edge, Deputy Master and Association Member.
    Wednesday 5th December

    CAST OFF FOR CHRISTMAS

    Nautical Fun Games and Songs – Mulled Wine and Mince Pies.
    Saturday 17th or 24 November

    SATURDAY SPECIAL

    Weather – Bill Giles
  • 1990-H1 – Programme – Spring

    SPRING PROGRAMME 1990

    Wednesday 10th January

    EXPLORING THE SCILLIES

    Club member David Lane will pilot you to these enchanting islands with their wealth of natural and historic interests.
    Wednesday 17th January

    CLOSE QUARTER HANDLING

    Alison Noice, principal of the Westerley Sea School, will discuss techniques of manoeuvring, mooring and anchoring.
    Wednesday 24th January

    IS SHE WELL FOUND?

    Peter Tier, Chairman of the Yacht Builders, Designers and Surveyors Association, provides an insight into yacht surveying with cautionary tales.
    Wednesday 31st January

    5,400 MILES IN “SALAL”, A GOLDEN HIND 31

    Ruth Clements and Ted Long illustrate with slides and film this epic trip from England to Vancouver B.C. via Panama and Hawaii.
    Wednesday 7th February

    CRUISING THE RIAS OF N.W. SPAIN, ABOARD SKYJACK 11

    Gp. Cpt. Bastard returns to describe yet another fascinating cruise.
    Wednesday 14th February

    DEVELOPEMENTS IN SAIL REEFING SYSTEMS

    Tim Drew, a rigger (formerly with Sadler’s) will discuss recent develope- ments in reefing systems and the sails as they affect cruising yachts.
    Wednesday 21st February

    WHICH TACK?

    Yachtmaster examiner John Cawsey will describe how to develop one’s ‘ navigational skills and improve the sailing performance of the average cruising yacht.
    Wednesday 28th February

    FIT FOR THE PURPOSE?

    Club members Archie Annan and Robert Smith will each talk about selecting and equipping their yachts – one for extended cruising and the other for off-shore racing.
    Wednesday 7th March

    CRUISING CORSICA

    Matthew and Fiona Flynn of Sun Sail will illustrate this magnificent cruising area and recount their experiences as flotilla tenders.
    Saturday 10th March

    SATURDAY SPECIAL, DIESEL ENGINES

    John Chapman of Volvo/Penta U.K. will give a talk on the principles of the diesel engine and follow this with a practical demonstration on maintenance.

    A snack lunch will be available.

    Wednesday 14th March

    ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:

    Followed by a video film on Whitbread 1989/90.
    Saturday 17th March

    THE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL DINNER:

    at the Bellhouse Hotel, Beaconsfield, guest speaker Bill Giles

     

  • 1989-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    AUTUMN PROGRAMME 1989

    Wednesday 4th October

    CLASSIC SAILING PASSAGES

    South Coast of England to Brittany with Kitty Hampton giving useful tips includ­ing passage planning.
    Wednesday 11th October

    MARINE POLLUTION MATTERS — ABOVE AND BELOW THE WAVES

    Sally Rodgers, underwater photographer and conservationist, assesses the impact of human activitiy on marine life.
    Wednesday 18th October

    ESCAPING — ALL AT SEA AND ADRIFT

    All at sea and adrift — Wing Commander Tony Jillings recounts with slides Sunderland Operations in the Mediterranean, being shot down in 1940 off the Coast of North Africa and his own escape.
    Wednesday 25th October

    VIA PANAMA CANAL TO THE GALAPAGOS

    Association Members Angela and Hugh Farrant recall their sailing adventures from Venezuela to Galapagos including transitting the Panama Canal. (Come early and support the R.N.L.I. Christmas Stall)
    Wednesday 1st November

    THE ONE DESIGN STORY

    Yacht Designer David Thomas describes the making of the one design classes from the Sonata to the Sigma.
    Wednesday 8th November

    CANOES AND CRUISERS

    Stephen Riley of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich returns to illustrate the early steps in the development of the small cruising yacht.
    Wednesday 15th November.

    THE DORSET COASTLINE

    Commander Peter Bruce takes us out of the Solent on an aerial trip along the Dorset coast to preview his new book”Inshore along the Dorset Coastline”
    Wednesday 22nd November

    MANAGING THE RIVER HAMBLE

    The Hamble Harbour Master Capt. C. J. Nichol! O.B.E. will illustrate the many facets of organising this busy sailing river.
    Wednesday 29th November

    EXTENDED CRUISING

    Canon Aishe, a long experienced yachtsman and winner of a number of cruising awards tells us of his extended summer cruises to the less well visited European cruising grounds.
    Wednesday 6th December

    CAST OFF FOR CHRISTMAS

    New Nautical Teasers and songs with Tom Round.

     

  • 1989-H1 – Programme – Spring

    SPRING PROGRAMME 1989

    Wednesday 11th January

    “YACHT PHOTOGRAPHY”

    World renowned yachting photographer Keith Beken of Cowes will illustrate their work over three generations.
    Wednesday 18th January

    OLYMPIC GOLD AT S. KOREA, 1988

    Bryn Vaile, who together with Mike Maclntyre won the Olympic Gold Medal, will describe his experiences at the Olympics and their wonderful win in the Star Class.
    Wednesday 25th January

    THE AMERICA’S CUP 1851 TO DATE

    Yachting historian Ian Dear describes the golden age of yachting of the last Century.
    Wednesday 1st February

    CARIBBEAN CRUISING

    Honorary member, Nigel Thomas, will recall and illustrate cruising in the West Indies.
    Wednesday 8th February

    BENETEAU BOATS

    Mr. David Tydemar, Managing Director (U.K.) of Beneteau Boats will give an illustrated talk about their modern range of production boats.
    Wednesday 15th February

    RESCUE AT SEA

    Graham Hall, Honorary Secretary of Bembridge Lifeboat will describe the work of our brave lifeboatmen.
    Wednesday 22nd February

    “SAFETY AT SEA — A STATE OF MIND.”

    John Driscoll, Principal National Coach of the R.Y.A. will discuss the importance of preparing yourself and then your boat.
    Wednesday 1st March

    POWER GENERATION

    Eric Kingsley of Telesonic Marine Ltd will compare the various options open to yachtsmen of generating electricity on small boats.
    Wednesday 8th March

    THE FRENCH CANALS

    Hugh McKnight, author of ‘Cruising French Waterways’ will tell us of the plea­sures of exploring rural France by boat.
    Wednesday 15th March

    “AGM AND FILM OF THE CALEDONIAN CANAL”

    An illustrated cruise through the C.C. from Inverness to Fort William.
    Friday 17th March

    ANNUAL DINNER

    The Association Dinner will be held at the Leander Club, Henley. Admission by ticket available from the Hon. Secretary

     

  • 1988-H2 – Programme – Autumn

    AUTUMN PROGRAMME 1988

    Wednesday 5th October

    SQUARE-RIG SAILING ON ‘LORD NELSON’

    Two Association members Tom Round, Bill Richardson and Reyffiend–Glenny talk about the challenge of sailing with able and disabled crew.
    Wednesday 12th October

    CRUISE TO GREENLAND AND THE CANADIAN ARCTIC

    Willie Ker recounts his award winning cruise in his Contessa 32.
    Wednesday 19th October

    THE OCEAN—CRUISING YACHT

    Ted and Bill Spears of Bay Class Yachts will talk about building top-quality steel ocean cruising yachts.

    Wednesday 26th October

    CAMPAIGNING AN ADMIRALS CUP TEAM

    Stuart Quarrie of British Performance Sailing describes the preparation and man­agement for an Admirals Cup Challenge.LA-

    Wednesday 2nd November.

    FRANCIS DRAKE TO WINDWARD

    .Stephen Riley of The National Maritime Museum Greenwich reviews the tactics for the defeat of the Spanish Armada
    Wednesday 9th November

    CLASSIC SAILING PASSAGES

    South Coast of England to Brittany with Kitty Hampton giving useful tips on passage planning
    Wednesday 16th November

    GETTING THE BEST OUT OF A SMALL CRUISER

    An illustrated talk by Charles Stock on engine-free cruising out of Maldon from the Norfolk Broads to the Thames.

    Saturday 19th November

    SATURDAY SPECIAL

    Hands-on-Decca. A practical teach-in on Decca to maximise the potential of this aid to navigation. (Tickets from secretary)
    Wednesday 23rd November

    SINGLE-HANDED RACE TO THE CARIBBEAN AND BACK

    Association member Howard Measham recalls the preparation of his yacht Janie M for the Atlantic race for cruisers to Barbados, and his single handed return Bermuda to the Azores.
    Wednesday 30th November

    ITS NOT THE BOATS, ITS THE PEOPLE IN THEM

    A sideways look at small boat seamanship by Andrew Bray, editor of Yachting Monthly.
    Wednesday 7th December

    CAST-OFF FOR CHRISTMAS

    Nautical fun and games with Doreen Annan and Tom Round.

Programme may change due to unforeseen circumstances.

The talks will be delivered in Colston Hall, Gerrards Cross.
See www.gxsa.org.uk/programme for details. Talks are free to GXSA members, Visitors £5