Other Events
Welcome 2026 Season
Dear Fellow Mariners,
After a long winter ashore, I am absolutely delighted to welcome you to the 2026 sailing season. There is nothing quite like the beginning of the season to remind you of the joys of being on the water, I’m certainly ready for the salt water, wind and sunshine. On behalf of the committee, welcome back!
What a way to get things started. Our Going Afloat Lunch at the Tattershall Castle on 22nd March was simply superb — a fine old vessel, wonderful company, and a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon that set exactly the right tone for the season ahead. If you were there, I hope you left as happy as I did. If you missed it, do make a note for next year!
Looking ahead, we have some excellent rallies planned right across the Solent, and I am very much looking forward to seeing us back on the water. The programme has something for everyone, whether you’re an old salt or just finding your sea legs. Fingers firmly crossed for fair winds and fine weather — the season ahead looks a promising one.
We also have a brilliant schedule of talks and training evenings lined up throughout the year. From navigation to ceramics, there is real expertise within our membership and we’ve got some superb external speakers.I am especially pleased to extend a very warm welcome to our new members who have joined us this season — it is wonderful to have you with us, and I hope you quickly feel at home here at Sutton Mariners. And if you know of anyone who has been thinking about joining the club, now is the perfect moment. Do encourage them to get in touch — we would love to hear from them.
Here’s to a season full of adventure, good fellowship, and plenty of time on the water. Fair winds to you all.
Danny McDonnell Commodore,
Sutton Mariners Sailing Club Spring 2026Photographic competition results 2025
We had another wonderful display of photography last week at our annual 2025 Photographic Competition, thanks to all who entered images, there were a lot of very good photographs.
Derek did a great job as usual of organising and displaying the prints, as well as securing the knowledgeable and talented judge David Harding (Writer and Photographer), who gave an interesting and informative talk about some of his own adventures and photographs. He seemed to be very well connected with a lot of boat builders and regularly writes for PBO which most people I am sure read.
He can be contacted here and feel free to browse his website http://www.SailingScenes.com
And the winners are
General Category
Bigger than you – Chris Dukes 
Tavira – Ruth Grainger 
What a view – Derek Club Event
The Path To Folly – Ruth Grainger 
At peace – Ruth Grainger 
Just a few flags – Chris Dukes Humorous Event
Please be seated – Chris Jackson 
I’m going for a shower – Chris Dukes 
Yachtmaster Ocean – 2040 Prep – Danny Commented entries
Boat Jumble (RG) 
Bembridge beach scene (CJ) 
Sunset (CD) 
Which way noo (RG) 
Laid up ashore, Madeira style (CJ). 
Morning reflections (CD) 
Important tender (CD) 
Water Limbo (DM) 
Vatican City from the Tyber (GB) Welcome to 2025
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
