Programme

Spring 2010

Wednesdays 8:15pm prompt - Bar opens 7.30 pm
Colston Hall, Memorial Centre, Gerrards Cross. Visitors welcome.

Jan 6th	Quyvers Travels - John Andrews and Freda Hayletough Adventures on a voyage from Grenada via the Panama Canal, Pacific Islands to New Zealand. Long distance cruising, ports of call and interesting characters met on the way.
Jan 13th	Voyages to New Zealand - Melville Errington The golden era of British Maritime life aboard the liners to New Zealand, including the challenges, both serious and amusing, of keeping engines running for five months.
Jan 20th	Olympic Sailing, Qingdao 2008 to Portland 2012 - Dick Batt Dick Batt (Batt Sails, Bosham), Chief Measurer for Olympic Sailing who serves on many National and International bodies, tells us what goes on behind the scenes.
Jan 27th	Classic Yachts through the camera lens - Kathy Mansfield Professional photographer Kathy returns with stunning images of Meter Class yachts, from their Centenary Celebration. The Meter Class lead to the Americas Cup boats
Sat Jan 30th	RYA First Aid Course at Hedgerley Village Hall Peter and Carol Pocock again give this course with hands on practice on dummies. Application list and details are on the Notice Board on Wednesdays in Colston Hall. Alternatively contact our treasurer Roger
Feb 3rd	Oceanography of the Southern Ocean - Dr Isabelle Ansorge (Cape Town) From voyages on research ships in 90 knot winds and 30 metre waves, Dr Ansorge describes the Southern Ocean and its profound effect on world climate. Essential listening to help you form your opinion on climate change.
Feb 10th	The Merchant Navy in the Battle for the North Atlantic - Richard Woodman Richard Woodman – Trinity House Elder, Novelist, Master Mariner, Naval Historian – describes the Merchant Navy’s role in this vital struggle from 1939 to 1943.
Feb 17th	The Around the World Yacht Race - David Cusworth, Clipper Ventures Learn how anyone, even if they have never stepped on a boat before, can join the adventure and circumnavigate the world under sail in an eleven month long marathon.
Feb 24th	The Italian Connection, from Malta to Nice - Bernie Smallman and John Dawson John and Bernie tell of their trip in Burnadebt to get a new mast. They sailed from Malta to France, visiting Sicily, Vulcano, Stromboli, Naples, finishing in Monaco and Nice.
Mar 3rd	Experiences as a Yachtmaster Instructor - Duncan Wells GXSA member Duncan Wells will recount his experiences when sailing home from Brittany with an inexperienced crew. He will also give an amusing view of his recovery from his dramatic flares accident. This is a change from the original programme.
Mar 10th	An Atlantic Short-Circuit - Tony Firth (after the AGM) Tony covers sailing tactics and equipment, wildlife and cooking on his circuit via the Canaries, Cape Verde Islands and the Azores, which included a long windward leg.
Sat Apr 10th	Annual Dinner at Beaconsfield Golf Club Speaker Roger Shaw (Henley Offshore Group) - "Lessons learned as a skipper". (Booking details will be announced shortly)