After five years of dedicated service, Simon and Georgette have stepped down as Suffolk Section Secretaries. Their leadership, delivering engaging events, community spirit and seamless adaptation during lockdown, has left a lasting impact.
Partnering with the Royal Harwich Yacht Club, they ran a packed programme of events, including their popular annual Spring rally, which, over three days, offers sailing, socials and local exploration.
The CA thanks Simon and Georgette for their exceptional service. Taking over the helm as Suffolk Section Secretary is Catriona Essenhigh.
Becoming a CA volunteer
Inspired by predecessors Colin and Elspeth Iskander, Simon and Georgette’ s journey as CA volunteers and Suffolk Section Secretaries began in March 2020. "Having enjoyed the Suffolk programme of talks and other events organised by Colin and Elspeth, we agreed to join the Committee to help out when they retired," they recall.
When COVID-19 struck, they pivoted, explaining, "We offered to organise committee meetings on Zoom. We both found it interesting to work with the Committee and start planning for the 2021-2022 programme of Winter Talks. Becoming Section Secretaries was becoming an attractive proposition, and we enjoyed the training we received."
Reflecting on their tenure they added, "The members, Committee, speakers, CA and Royal Harwich YC staff and volunteers have all been very supportive and made what could have been just hard work into a pleasure. We can now look forward to supporting and enjoying all the Suffolk events from our back seats."
Highlights and legacy
From organising barge trips to winter talks, their standout was, "Hosting a fund-raising talk by Pip Hare."
When asked what they are most proud of accomplishing, they said, "providing, with help from the Committee, a varied and apparently popular programme of Winter Talks, seminars, rallies and other outings."
The role deepened their CA appreciation too. "The CA brings together like-minded people from across the country and the world." For them, the most rewarding aspects were, "the opportunity to meet interesting speakers and attendees and to develop our event management skills."
Join the CA Volunteer Team
If you would like to discuss opportunities to contribute your expertise and passion to the CA's outstanding work, please contact Bob Slay, CA Volunteer Champion, at volunteering@theca.org.uk. Giving even a small amount of your time will have a meaningful impact.
16 June 2025