Suffolk

Liz has a passion for the outdoors - walking, wildlife watching and especially wildlife photography; living near the Suffolk/Essex border enables her to watch and photograph a variety of nature and wildlife along the Stour estuary and along the Suffolk and Essex coasts; more often than not, birds are the main subject. Occasionally she ventures further afield around the UK and elsewhere in Europe, and beyond.

A lifelong fascination in wildlife, and in particular birds, makes Andrew our perfect guide to what we may see from our yachts when at sea, anchored or simply walking along the foreshore. Andrew was born in central London and developed an early interest in birds through frequent visits to the Natural History Museum, the London parks and Hampstead Heath.

In 1672 Southwold residents watched the English and French fleets being attacked by the Dutch. David Davies, the Naval historian, will tell us who was the real winner in this great sea battle.

Date and Time: Saturday 18th November 2023, Doors open at 18:00, Dinner at 18:45, Talk at 20:00.

The storm forecast for Wednesday and Thursday has caused us to cancel this event as the speaker, organiser and Section Secretaries all live a considerable distance from the venue and do not wish to risk driving in heavy rain and strong wind. We are very disappointed to be cancelling. Bookers will receive a full refund via PayPal.

As you sail past the O2 “Dome” or fly over it on the cable-car, look to the opposite bank and you will see the site of the largest private dock in Europe, the birthplaces of the hydraulic crane and the modern lighthouse, the yards where “bad buoys were made good” and HMS Warrior was launched, and the wharf where Brunel’s first steamship had her engine installed.

The 1930s was the heyday of this famous boatyard which was started in 1850 by George Garrard. Harry King was one of George’s apprentices and he took over the yard in 1898. Come and hear about the history of this world famous yard.

(Note: Sarah Curtis has very kindly stepped in to speak on 26th January as Surinder Beerh is unable to attend. (Stop Press: Surinder has now agreed to speak to us on 26th October.)

Calling all Photographers!
The time has come to select your best photos of the 2023 sailing season and to enter them in our very popular Suffolk Photo Competition.

Last year's winning picture Sunrise over the Deben by Nick Baber is displayed here.

Top Lines:

Each year the topics covered at this popular event include anything which will inform and entertain with a nautical flavour. If you have a story to tell in just 20 minutes please contact the Suffolk Secretaries, we look forward to hearing from you.

This year we have these short talks:

Unfortunately Sharon Bleese has had to cancel her talk on Wednesday. Sharon says: "You will have no doubt seen the situation that has unfolded in Hemsby over the last few weeks, resulting in loss of homes. I have been involved in supporting that situation. There are some additional concerns with tides mid-week next week and so all resources need to be focused on supporting our coastal communities."

Come, hear and meet Pip Hare after her successful completion of the Route du Rhum race, and now looking forward to the 2024 Vendée Globe circumnavigation. Pip is a local sailor having started racing on the River Deben.