The dark and cold days of January provide a good time to stop and think about the previous year and the year to come, so here are a few reflections from me.

2024 was a great year for the club, highlights for me included the Yarmouth and Beaulieu rally with a fantastic turn out for the club and a whole long weekend of sailing and fun, our first race (for a while) and a superb navigators challenge around the marks and buoys of the Solent. Ashore, we’ve had a superb range of talks, on shipwrecks, Antarctica, mudlarking, first aid, firefighting, sea survival and so many more. The Mariners’ Mates (our very own band) have gone from strength to strength, playing the Carshalton Eco and Frost Fairs, with more planned in 2025. Our pirate themed Christmas social was enormous fun! I have loved the way our members have stepped up to participate so much in organising things afloat and ashore! While the end of last year took a sad turn with the loss of a much loved member Peter, we are thankful for his company and friendship.

This year our various committees have been hard at work planning more fascinating talks, a fun social programme, a superb sailing programme, plus more support to members who want to do some training. We’ve got members planning to do the Round the Island race, more chartering, various qualifications and exciting trips. I’m also especially excited to welcome new members who want to become part of our brilliant sailing and social community.

To name everyone who’s made such a contribution to the club last year and into the New Year would mean a lot of scrolling….. so to all members I want to say a big thank you, the people are our club, so Happy New Year all and here’s to a fantastic 2025, ashore and afloat!

Ruth