Page 5 - Yachter Spring/Summer 2022

FROM THE BRIDGE
Welcome to another very full edition of TheYachter.When Lauren and I first spoke to our new publishers back in 2019 we had hopes that it would grow into exactly the sort of lively, full and attractive publication it has become. The credit for that must go to all our many contributors and our publishers, but not least to our Editor. Thank you, Natalie for all your hard work in making TheYachter a publication that truly reflects our very active Club.
As I write this at the end of January, your Executive Committee are busy preparing for our AGM in March.That will be the time
for me to stand down as Commodore, having been first elected by you in November 2019. (My term has been a little longer than most due to the move of our financial year-end and consequently the AGM too.)
None of us had any inkling that November of the events that would impact on us all, or how long their effects would last. Hopefully, my successor, and all of us, can look forward to a more normal future with a minimum of restrictions on our lives, and on the life of the Club.
When I reflect on the past nearly two and a half years, I am struck by the resilience and resourcefulness of our staff who found themselves in totally novel circumstances.
I remember the pizzas on the balcony,
outdoor only dining, separate tables, masks and hand sanitizer. I also remember the members, too many to mention individually, who rallied round to help in any number of practical ways.
We were the first Solent club to resume racing, with just two from one household on The Hound and on the RIB. Cruising events went ahead as soon as they were possible,
as did our outdoor social events. Our end
of summer party dinner under canvas was a great success.
So, while my term as Commodore has probably been unlike any other, I can reflect on a Club which I think is stronger than before.We have an expanded membership and, by the time you read this, work should be underway, or complete, in replacing a large section of the walk-ashore pontoon at Gins.
Thank you for allowing me the great privilege of being your Commodore, and may I wish you all, our staff, my successor and the new Executive Committee best wishes for the future.
Bob Trimble Commodore
FROM THE BRIDGE 5