This year’s club top sailor award must go to Simon Browning. He recently completed a magnificent cruise around Britain, following the Caledonian Canal route clockwise and starting from Loch Feochan. In total, he covered 1680 miles. This extended journey presented its own set of challenges. Simon efficiently dealt with a diesel engine cylinder head gasket failure, which resulted in a dramatic loss of power and a momentary white smoke scare while at sea with land barely in sight. Fortunately, the ever resourceful skipper located a good man, sourced the necessary bits and pieces, and finally resolved the mechanicals with minimal delay. Despite this challenge, the cruise around Britain allowed Simon and his crew, Jo, to visit some of the most enchanted and unforgettable places, including the White Cliffs of Dover, Lindisfarne, Wells-next-the-Sea, Land’s End, the Brighton Pavilion, and Belfast, the birthplace of the Titanic and her sister ship. His yacht, Raindance, a 34-foot Moody, is flawlessly suited for the task—spacious enough for extended living yet manageable for short-handed sailing. With its relatively shallow draft and bilge keels, it can navigate the salt marshes and tidal estuaries that thankfully abound in UK waters, unlocking the possibility of lingering in some of the most renowned and memorable locations.

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Norman Ingham, a well-known sailor from Wardley, completed a remarkable journey in July 2024. He sailed his Maurice Griffiths-designed Golden Hind from Wardley’s Creek to Stornoway and back. This challenging voyage, considered one of the year’s longest and most daring club member cruises, was completed in a series of manageable one-day legs. The route traversed the Irish Sea, through the Northern Passage, and into the rugged Western Isles of Scotland, providing breathtaking views at every turn.

Norman was accompanied by Terry, a long-time marine mechanic, who proved himself more than capable of handling the challenges of the sea. The weather, typical of Scotland, was unpredictable, prompting them to stay an extra day in a remote Scottish fishing village at times. Nevertheless, the journey offered days of clear blue skies and unmatched seascapes, leaving lasting memories throughout the passage.

The rusty old clubhouse container, which housed our lockers and ancient collection of little-used outboard engines, has finally been taken away on the back of a lorry. Furthermore, the dilapidated roof, which had previously shielded the digger from rain, has also been gracefully retired. The newly acquired ‘new’ containers will presently be readied for service to replace them.

A big thank you to all the members who dedicated their time to organize and assist in the work.