Thames Valley

Julian’s extensive ocean sailing and racing experience and his role as a media executive led to him overseeing coverage of Volvo Ocean Races and becoming an OCC Mentor. He will entertain us with many stories about his sailing and (now) motor-boating.

Date: Wednesday 22 November 2023

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

Venue: Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD

David started as a successful Laser dinghy racer, reaching international level, but he is now blue water racing in the French Elite Offshore Championship. He will tell us about his impressive progression from land-locked Hanwell to racing offshore in the Bay of Bissau.

Date: Wednesday 15 November 2023

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

Venue: Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD

Eric and his family have sailed in the Arctic for many years, contributing to scientific programs and developing links with Inuit people. In 2022, Eric’s steel sailboat Vagabond was almost crushed by ice on Devon Island, Canada, witnessed only by polar bears. This talk will be in Colston Hall as usual but Eric will present via Zoom an update on life and work on a polar expedition yacht equipped for scientific research.

Date: Wednesday 8 November 2023

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

In her father’s records, Julia discovered accounts of yachtsmen (some famous, some she met as a child) who had important roles in WW2 commanding destroyers, submarines and undertaking sabotage. Could their love of sailing survive the harsh reality of war? Meet the author and learn more about this interesting story.

Date: Wednesday 1 November 2023

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

Venue: Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD

David and friends at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard have built a working replica of the small, fast torpedo boats used in World War 1 and the Russian War of Independence. A Coastal Motor Boat for the 21st Century – its history, construction and 2023 sea trials.

Date: Wednesday 25 October 2023

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

Venue: Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD

Born in 1651, Dampier travelled round the world three times - his scientific and natural history writing inspired Darwin and Captain Cook. His books were required reading for Nelson’s officers but he was also a successful pirate, as the Spanish knew to their cost...

Date: Wednesday 18 October 2023

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

Venue: Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD

Nick is a qualified marine surveyor, experienced boat builder and a yacht repairer. He will explain what to look for when buying a boat and the problems to be avoided. He has also developed an emergency steering device to overcome loss or failure of a boat’s rudder.

Date: Wednesday 11 October 2023

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

Venue: Colston Hall, The Memorial Centre, 8 East Common, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7AD

10^th Anniversary Fitting Out Supper Tuesday 17 March

Book Here

Please Note: This event is cancelled due to the pedestrian crossing being closed for extensive works by Network Rail starting from Monday 16 March.

Too Much Med

Nick Mines

Richard is a Yachtmaster with over 40 years’ experience of yachting on the south coast of England in the Solent, the West Country, Channel Islands and the North coast of France as well as yacht charters in Greece and Croatia. Alison started sailing when she was 18 when her brother, a master mariner who was sailing catamarans off Southend for fun, said she had to learn to sail first before he would take her with him.