Talk - The Role of a Southampton Marine Pilot

Barry will be discussing the commercial Port of Southampton and it's many and varied shipping aspects. What type of ships, the type of cargoes ......and then the role of the Pilot - why are they needed, why have them, how do they get on board the ships, and what is needed in terms of navigation skills and knowledge to get these vast vessels safely to their berth.

The talk highlights the vital 24/7 pilotage service for the Port of Southampton and how the Pilots' expertise is essential to the safe and efficient running of the Port.

Areas that will be covered:

1. Why take a Pilot?

2. Who’s actually in charge?

3. Just how big are these ships?

4. Exactly how does a pilot actually get on board the ships?

      

This talk will be live in the Papercourt clubhouse. We encourage members to attend the clubhouse, have a drink, and enjoy catching up with friends.

• For non-attendees, by reasons of distance, or health, this evening's presentation will also be broadcast on Zoom over the internet.  

• The Zoom link will be sent by separate email to club members nearer the time; for non members who wish to participate via Zoom, please contact the membership secretary, membership@guildfordsailing.org who will send you the link.                

Organiser: Paul Armstrong, Vice Commodore        

We Want to Hear From You - Seriously!!

After a great 2024-5 Winter Programme, a seriously well-attended 2025 Summer Rally Programme, and a great 2025 Summer Cruise, we need to turn our attention to the future ....... 

Now in our 52nd year, we want to hear your opinions as to the value of the multiple offerings that your Committee currently provides. Should they be changed, and how? Are there too many Winter evenings or Summer rallies? Why do we never see some Members at the club, or on a rally? What are we not doing, or missing?

We would seriously like to see a really good attendance for this evening!! With 75 full members, and 50 partner members, just how many will attend? Please do not "leave it to others".

The various events do not just happen by luck or chance. So, as we move into 2026, the Committee propose changing a few things ..... ideally lightening the load on the main organisers by spreading the overall effort across a larger number of willing volunteers, each able to make a small, but important contribution, to the overall effort.

To be honest, contributing in even a small way is very satisfying. You have the chance to offer ideas and opinions, help set policy and make decisions, create new events, gain deeper friendships with other members, and contribute to helping GCCC continue to be the thriving, energetic club that it is.  And end up with a nice, warm, fuzzy feeling inside!

Put the date in your diary, NOW! Please, please, come along ...... your input is needed, and will be heard. 

Organiser: Andrew Barlow, Commodore, and Committee

NB: The Bar will be open from 20:00 hrs. 

Talk - Our Amazing Marine Life in the Eastern English Channel

Find out all about the amazing marine life in the Eastern English Channel. The Sussex Dolphin Project monitors whales, dolphins and porpoises with the aim to understand and protect these iconic species in some of the most unlikely places!

Learn about the research and conservation work happening along the Sussex coastline and beyond, and answer the most common question of all ..... do we ACTUALLY get dolphins off this coast?' 

• This talk will be live in the Papercourt clubhouse. We encourage members to attend the clubhouse, have a drink, and enjoy catching up with friends.

• For non-attendees, by reasons of distance, or health, this evening's presentation will also be broadcast on Zoom over the internet.  

• The Zoom link will be sent by separate email to club members nearer the time; for non members who wish to participate via Zoom, please contact the membership secretary, membership@guildfordsailing.org who will send you the link.                

Organiser: Paul Armstrong, Vice Commodore        

Workshop - Anchoring

A Workshop open to all Club members.

Some of us love anchoring, others rarely do it! A wide-ranging conversation, some do’s and don’ts, some techniques, but overall loads of helpful advice and good ideas to take advantage of quieter locations and cheaper nights.  

Organiser: Jan Baynham

Talk - Sailing in the Footsteps of Shackleton

You may remember that Andy gave us a fun and wide-ranging talk last year on Platforms, Pirates and Pornography ...... his talk this year will be quite different!

In 2022/23 Andy sailed from Tenerife via the Falklands, South Georgia and the South Orkney Islands to Antarctica . During the course of this trip he visited a number of the places where Shackleton went as part of his Trans-Antarctic Expedition.

This talk will tell the story of the trip, the Shackleton expedition and look at the wildlife and natural history of the whole Antarctica region.

Andy is also forming a new charity to help disabled sailors passage longer distances on a specially adapted yacht, and will update on his progress.

This talk will be live in the Papercourt clubhouse. We encourage members to attend the clubhouse, have a drink, and enjoy catching up with friends.

• For non-attendees, by reasons of distance, or health, this evening's presentation will also be broadcast on Zoom over the internet.  

• The Zoom link will be sent by separate email to club members nearer the time; for non members who wish to participate via Zoom, please contact the membership secretary, membership@guildfordsailing.org who will send you the link.                

Organiser: Paul Armstrong, Vice Commodore        

Talk - KHM Portsmouth Harbour, and Harbour facts

Just how do you end up as the Assistant King’s Harbour Master? Andrew will tell us all we need about that route, as well as a broad historical overview of naval Portsmouth Harbour and the surrounding areas through the ages. Naval ship groundings, Spice Island, rats, and much more!

Did we know that the King’s Harbour Master’s role covers an area of 55 square miles of the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth, and interlinks with neighbouring authorities such as Southampton and the Portsmouth International Commercial port?

Andrew will also be sure to cover off Portsmouth VTS and how that interfaces with the wider Solent maritime community and aspects of Port Safety. You'll hear it all from the Assistant Harbour Master's mouth!

• This talk will be live in the Papercourt clubhouse. We encourage members to attend the clubhouse, have a drink, and enjoy catching up with friends.

• For non-attendees, by reasons of distance, or health, this evening's presentation will also be broadcast on Zoom over the internet.  

• The Zoom link will be sent by separate email to club members nearer the time; for non members who wish to participate via Zoom, please contact the membership secretary, membership@guildfordsailing.org who will send you the link.                

Organiser: Paul Armstrong, Vice Commodore