Suffolk

Harbour Masters, those men and women who keep our harbours open and seaways safe, are often the unsung heroes of the sailing community. This is their story.

In 2019 Mark Ashley-Miller set off in his 34ft yacht on a 5 year odyssey around the British Isles, visiting all 310 harbours and interviewing 256 Harbour Masters.  As part of this campaign he also raised  £30,000 for The Seafarer's Charity which supports sailors with mental health issues. 

In the spring of 2025 this list will be updated with the details of each event.

Winter Talks

A Sociable Weekend with Passage Challenge, Pontoon Party, Outing to Felixstowe for a museum, fort and historic vehicles, an Evening with art exhibition, dinner and talk "The Hanse and East Anglia", something for everyone. Come for some or all of the activities – you choose.

NCI provide 'The Eyes and Ears Along the Coast', reporting directly to HM Coastguard centres, assisting in the protection and preservation of life at sea and along the UK coastline. Nick will cover the work of NCI nationally but with an emphasis on what goes on at the Felixstowe station which is atop Martello Tower P on Felixstowe's south seafront.

Many rich and famous people built large houses overlooking the River Orwell; we sail past their estates without knowing their stories. Keith Pettican now lives in one of these houses and he will tell us its history and that of some of the others.

Date and Time: Thursday 27th February 2025, Doors open at 11:00, Talk at 11:30, Lunch at 13:00.

An International Boatbuilding and Training College apprenticeship in Lowestoft in the 1980s led to many years working at Robertsons of Woodbridge, where Alan served as General Manager. He recently returned as an Instructor to the Lowestoft College until its closure in 2024. Alan has kindly agreed to give us an insight into the world of boats, boatyards and the marine industry,

Anne lives on sailing yacht Midday Sun with husband Marc and is a professional artist. She will talk about yachting on our wonderful East Coast.

Photographic Competition: Attendees will also have the opportunity to cast their votes for the "Best Photograph" and may win a prize as "Best Judge".

The cast of characters involved in the Americas Cup ranges from Thomas Lipton (of tea fame), through Thomas Stopwith (of Stopwith Camel fame), through Alan Bond (of prison fame), to Larry Ellison. The talk examines these eclectic characters and the way the design of the Americas Cup boats has changed.

The planning and logistics for his 2024 cruise to Scotland will be covered by Viv and he will also describe some of the places he visited, and some he missed. So if you have ever considered a cruise to this beautiful part of UK this talk is for you, or just come to enjoy the story, the pictures and the company.