Thames Valley

The Navy of Nelson by Geoff Hunt, RSMA.  A past President of the Royal Society of Marine Artists, Geoff is one of the world’s finest painters of 18^th and 19^th century ships. Through his research for paintings he is also a leading authority on naval history and ship architecture of the period and has a special interest in the ships and commands of Lord Nelson.

Vyv Cox, Anchors and Anchoring followed by an Aegean Tour it may be the case that anchors have undergone more change in the past 20 years than at any other area of yachting. From a situation in which choice was limited to three or four, mostly of quite elderly design, we now see at least one new one every year, each claiming to be better than the one that was introduced the previous year. New theories about anchor loads have contradicted long-held beliefs and much development has taken place on associated equipment such as swivels, shackles and chain.

Michael Prewett, Poole to Barra and Back on Dolly, a Robert Tucker designed Sarum 28 is an account of a largely solo first-time cruise to the Outer Hebrides, hopefully capturing some of the flavour and magic of Ireland and the West coast of Scotland. Michael has written numerous articles on sailing in Scotland for Yachting Monthly, Cruising magazine and Practical Boat Owner and to see the complete list go to the Celtic home page and click on magazine articles.

Bar Open:19.15

Talk starts 20.00

All CA members and guests very welcome.

Following on from a successful fitting out supper held last month at The Upper Thames Sailing Club, we thought we would squeeze in one more social meet this Spring. The UTSC have a Friday evening open in their busy schedule of events and if the weather is kind this will make a great riverside location for our BBQ. If the weather is not so kind we can always retire to the Clubhouse!

Fitting Out Supper, with a prize quiz and trips, tips and tales.

Our Fitting Out Supper is on Tuesday, 18th March at a new venue, the Upper Thames Sailing Club. We will need to provide catering numbers to UTSC ahead of time, so let us know if you plan to join us and if you plan to bring along any guests - all are welcome.

Trinity House: Keeping our Shipping Lanes Safe, Capt Bill Sadler

28^th January 2014

Charting the Uncharted in the UK’s Yachting Paradise, Bob Bradfield

Nicholas Hance, Inspector of marine accidents at MAIB in Southampton will talk about leisure craft accident reports and giving out copies of the Safety Digest.

"The sole purpose of the Safety Digest is to prevent similar accidents happening again. The articles do not assign fault or blame nor do they determine liability."

Reports include: To Sail or Not to Sail, Steering Seizure, Winter Storm in Biscay and Fishing for Disaster.

Mina 2 is one of the few amateur yachts to have sailed both into the Arctic Circle and down to Antarctica. Having crossed 250 degrees of latitude in his Oyster 485, Tim Barker will be recounting not only the hurricane force storms and dangerous encounters with ice in the high latitudes, but also some of the more unusual, less visited (and hotter) places he has sailed to in between.

The talk will be illustrated with photographs of the spectacular scenary and wildlife encountered on the way.

St. Malo to Bordeaux on’ Viagra’