Thames Valley

Roger is a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society; he will tell us about some of the history of canals in Britain and their impressive engineering. Many entertaining stories too, including a pioneering canal honeymoon in 1962, Stoke on Trent, Wolverhampton!

Date: Wednesday 4 December 2024

Time: Doors open 19:30, talk begins at 20:15

Denis and Pip will explain some of the benefits and challenges of shared ownership of a yacht and tell us about their extensive sailing around the Mediterranean in their shared yachts. We hope for some beautiful locations to brighten up a winter evening.

Date: Wednesday 27 November 2024

Time: Doors open 19:30, talk begins at 20:15

Andrew will tell us about his adventures in his newly purchased Bavaria 34 on a sailing trip to France, quite an unusual route! During his previous 30 years at Queen Mary Sailing Club, he sailed a Blaze winged dinghy, so this was quite a change for him.

Date: Wednesday 20 November 2024

Time: Doors open 19:30, talk begins at 20:15

Ryan is Head of RNLI Region South-East. He will tell us about the excellent lifesaving work done by RNLI with recent developments across 238 lifeboat stations, 244 beaches and the important humanitarian work done by RNLI in the English Channel.

Date: Wednesday 13 November 2024

Time: Doors open 19:30, talk begins at 20:15

Stuart visited Normandy twice this summer; once by boat and the second time by car, visiting some locations he couldn’t reach by boat. The talk covers the highlights of the two trips, including the Anniversary Celebrations, and some less well-known experiences.

Date: Wednesday 6 November 2024

Time: Doors open 19:30, talk begins at 20:15

The Second World War army and navy forts were built in the Thames Estuary to protect London from enemy air force and naval incursions. Andy will explain what is left of the forts, their strategic significance, how they were used and their unique legacy.

Date: Wednesday 30 October 2024

Time: Doors open 19:30, talk begins at 20:15

Julian and Vanessa CA Members started cruising inland Europe in 2006 in their Southerly lifting keel sailing boat Pluto. After a few years in the Mediterranean, they returned inland and are still exploring the many delights of France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Date: Wednesday 23 October 2024

Time: Doors open 19:30, talk begins at 20:15

Until the early 1800s, ship provisioning and servicing was from small yards in Gosport and Portsmouth. David will explain how the Royal Clarence Yard in Gosport developed and how it victualled the Royal Navy from the pre-Victorian era to the late 20th century.

Date: Wednesday 6 March 2024

Time: Doors open 19:30, talk begins at 20:15