Volunteer Spotlight on Ann Crome

A love of sailing, born from books

“Steve and I had always been drawn to the sea, even before we knew how to sail,” explains Ann. “We had been reading books by Alexander Kent about the navy during the time of Nelson, and we both said it would be good to understand the sailing terms.”

That curiosity led them, in the mid-1980s, to a dinghy sailing course - an experience that would set the course for decades ahead. “We both enjoyed it and did a number of courses to RYA Dinghy Level 3,” Ann recalls. What began as learning the basics quickly became a way of life. “We went on a couple of dinghy sailing holidays in the Med. The main opportunity at home was dinghy racing and we bought and sailed a Heron dinghy. This included taking it on a trailer behind the car to the Helford River for a holiday and sailing it there.”

Those early days were not without drama. “In the Helford River we nearly got swept out to sea on a falling tide and no wind and were rescued by a yacht who towed us back.”

Another incident in Poole Harbour still stands out, as Ann reflects, “We hit a rock and the centreboard snapped! So again, we nearly drifted out to sea in front of the chain ferry.” They managed to get ashore at a pontoon, from where Steve talked a taxi driver into ferrying him wallet-less to Poole Yacht Club, to retrieve the car and trailer.

Far from putting them off, such experiences only deepened their love of sailing. “Even so, we were hooked,” says Ann. “We then progressed to yacht sailing. We did a weekend off the east coast on a skippered boat. Then we did a flotilla in Greece, which they let us do as we both had Dinghy Level 3. Then we did a bareboat charter from Falmouth, which they let us do as we both had Day Skipper.”

There were still mishaps along the way, including accidentally picking up a fishing buoy and having to untangle themselves, but by then they knew they had found their sailing passion. “The challenge of navigating from A to B was much more our thing than racing," says Ann.

The adventures continue

That sense of adventure has continued throughout their sailing life. In April 2019, after decades of building their skills and confidence, Ann and Steve set off from Ipswich with a goal of sailing around the United Kingdom and Ireland.

“In September 2025 we returned to the River Orwell. It was a fantastic experience to take our time and explore the British and Irish coasts. It gave us a great sense of achievement,” says Ann. “The journey became something more than cruising; it was a fun challenge in retirement. We are so pleased we bought a boat and sailed it round the UK and Ireland in a figure of eight.”

Alongside the big passages, it is often the small, practical things that make life afloat work. When asked what she never leaves home without, Ann’s answer is, “Tea bags! I won’t go anywhere without tea bags.”

Favourite cruising grounds

Before the UK circumnavigation claimed the top spot, Ann’s favourite cruising ground was Croatia.

“We have been on flotillas and done bareboat charter nine times. I would describe it as the west coast of Scotland with sunshine.”

However, the Croatia list is not complete, and Ann has plans to return to tick off a few remaining islands. “We do want to go back once more as there are some islands we have not visited. It's a lovely country.”

Ann also has plenty of wish list spots that are closer to home too. “We hope to go up the Thames this year, along with unfinished business in the Channel Islands! We are told there is a really nice restaurant on Alderney - we tried twice but it never quite worked out,” she laughs. “So, we want to go and do the Channel Islands properly.”

Defeat came first when the restaurant was fully booked during her Day Skipper practical, and the second time when a Force 7 forecast forced an early departure before she could use a carefully made reservation.

Bringing professional skills to the CA

As sailing became a bigger part of retirement, volunteering soon followed. Joining the CA in 2017 wasn't simply about accessing knowledge and resources, it was also the start of Ann's contribution to the CA itself.

The same year she joined the CA, Ann spotted a CA advert seeking someone with finance and hospitality experience to support the Finance Committee. Having built an entire career in hotel operations and revenue development, Ann was ideally placed and got in touch.

Ann’s volunteer role draws directly on her professional experience. “I am responsible for providing support and advice to the Finance Committee on the running of the galley and the management of the cabins. This relates to the management information required,” she says.

"A key focus is fairness and sustainability. We monitor pricing so that we break even and that the facilities at CA House, which are enjoyed by many members, are not a cost to those who are members but are not close enough to benefit from the cabins or galley."

Over the years, Ann’s has helped deliver a range of improvements at CA House. These include refurbishing the mess, refreshing the galley with new furnishings, moving cabin bookings online, and introducing systems that have increased both bookings and revenue. Most recently, she has been involved in recruiting the new Catering Manager, Peter Friscuolo, and overseeing systems upgrades, including a new EPOS till system.

For Ann, volunteering is not a departure from working life but a continuation of it, just on different terms.

"Over a working life you have built up knowledge and skill set. So, it is good to be able to continue to use those skills to the benefit of the Cruising Association. It gives me a level of satisfaction that I got from work of a job well done."

Community, camaraderie and giving back

Volunteering has been a thread running throughout both Ann and Steve's lives. Ann has spent nearly 40 years with Girlguiding, while Steve has dedicated more than 40 years to St John Ambulance.

"Girlguiding gives girls confidence," says Ann. "I could go on and on!"

For both, contributing to the CA became the latest chapter in their lifelong commitment to helping others. Outside sailing and volunteering, Ann relaxes in her garden, sharing, “I have grown to love my garden in the last 15 years.”

Beyond the operational side, the social dimension of volunteering has been equally important. “The meeting of new people and those who sail is important to us,” says Ann.

Looking back, Ann sees volunteering as an opportunity to continue using the skills developed over a professional lifetime while enjoying the friendships and sense of purpose that come with being part of the CA community. Through her visits to CA House for meetings and to assist with the galley and cabins, Ann has expanded her circle from the Suffolk Section, where she and Steve first joined, into the London Section, including giving talks there together.

Her advice to anyone considering volunteering is simple: “If you have some experience from work and want to give back then this is a good thing to do. Enjoy it and make new friends.”

And, as she adds with a smile, there is one advantage retirement volunteering has over paid employment, “Now I don't get paid, I have less guilt about walking away and putting myself first!"

You can follow Ann’s cruising adventures on China Girl at:
China Girl Blog: www.sailblogs.com/member/chinagirl
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chinagirlstory

Join the CA Volunteer Team

At the heart of the Cruising Association lies an incredible force - our volunteers. Their dedication, passion and hard work are the backbone of the CA. If you have a few spare hours or days and would like to get involved, your skills and enthusiasm could make a real difference. .

Volunteer Spotlight Features

Our volunteers are the heart of the Cruising Association. In this bi-monthly spotlight series, we celebrate and thank the members who shape our cruising community:

James Parnell - May 2026
Judy Evans - March 2026
Sam Steele - January 2026
Bob and Sue Garrett - November 2025
Tania Nieveen - September 2025
Bob Slay - July 2025