Page 5 - Yachter Autumn 2020

FROM THE BRIDGE When the going gets tough...
When I wrote this piece for the last edition of TheYachter it was Christmas,and we were looking forward to the New Year, and what a year it has turned out to be.Who could have foreseen the exceptional few months we have just lived through, and who knows what may lie ahead?
My abiding memory of this time will be the spirit with which this Club, staff and members alike, have pulled together to meet every challenge. I do not know of another Solent Club that has managed to adapt
so well to such difficulties. Editor, Natalie Hamilton, has brought us this lively new edition as proof of that fact.
When the lockdown started, Rear Commodore House, Helen Verstage, with contributions from many others,produced our entertaining weekly bulletins. Our General Manager, Lauren held the fort alone for the first few weeks. Gins re-opened as soon as boats were allowed back on the water in May, and Lauren’s husband Jason became the outdoor pizzaman!
In June, the Race team, led by Rear Commodore Sailing, Stephen Parry, and Captain of Racing, Dave Martin, began a
race programme to meet the restrictions and it has turned into one of the most successful of recent times.The Cruisers under Captain of Cruising, Laurie Bates, have re-started their events, and the Gins’ dinghies and other craft are getting more use than in previous years...
The problem with starting to name names is that there’s never enough space to mention everyone.When we are eventually able to re-commence our social gatherings, we’ll have the biggest party we can organise, to celebrate the contribution of everyone who’s worked so hard this year, to prove that the spirit of the Royal SouthamptonYacht Club is so very much alive and well.
In a normal year, by the time you receive this edition ofTheYachter we would be preparing for the Club’s AGM in November. As you know, we have now opted to delay that meeting until March 2021.
Between now and then we will be keeping you informed about other moves we’re proposing, to adapt the Club to changing times, but most importantly, to support our aim of being the friendliest possible Royal Yacht Club.
Best wishes to you all,
Commodore
Photo of Gins:Andrew Burcher
FROM THE BRIDGE 5