GCCC upcoming events

The Solent Seascape Project, Casey Spry (27 Oct 2026)

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Guest Speaker: Casey Spry

Discover how these four vital habitats - salt marsh, seagrass,

oysters and coastal bird habitats are being restored through

the Solent Seascape Project. Learn how this work is helping

nature thrive again.

Delivering the talk will be Casey Spry

Casey is a Marine Engagement Officer at the Hampshire and

Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Casey raises awareness of the

Solent’s amazing marine life and engages communities in

marine restoration work through talks, events, workshops and

line management of marine volunteers. Casey is passionate

about connecting people with our local coastline and inspiring

action to protect and restore the Solent’s marine environment.

For any queries please email: jane.osborn.jo@gmail.com

Organiser: Jane Osborn - Vice Commodore

Workshop - Knots and their Uses, and Line Throwing! (10 Nov 2026)

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Workshop - Knots and their Uses, and How to Throw a Line!

Hosted by Jane Osborn

Delivered by Paul Armstrong

A General Workshop.

Do we ever have enough ropes, lines and sheets? Do we use the right knots for the right application? This is the opportunity for us to share knowledge, and understand why using the correct knot is so useful and important.

To make it slightly different, please come along with a new or surprising knot to share!

And .... this year I have seen so many examples of poor line-throwing when berthing that have almost resulted in accidents, that we should revisit the techniques. And then probably have a small competition, with prizes!!

Organiser: Paul Armstrong

What is the Ocean's Role in Driving Changes in Climate and Fisheries? (17 Nov 2026)

Tue, 17 Nov 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Talk - What is the Ocean's Role in driving changes in climate and fisheries?

Guest Speaker: Dr Colin Summerhayes

The oceans play a major role in climate change because they carry heat and salt slowly around the world.

When warm salty water (e.g. The Gulf Stream) nears the Arctic, it becomes dense enough to sink, gradually moving at depth all the way to Antarctica, where it influences the climate, thus connecting the poles. Warming oceans release water vapour through evaporation, and water being a greenhouse gas, adds to global warming.

Colin will explain how other greenhouse gases are released and the effect this has on warming our planet further. He will enlighten us on warm El Nino and cold La Nina that seriously affect fisheries, especially in the Pacific.

Dr Colin Summerhayes speaker bio

Marine geochemist Dr Colin Summerhayes is an expert in determining past climates and estimating future ones. An Emeritus Affiliate at the Scott Polar Research Institute of Cambridge University, he has been Executive Director of the International Council for Science's Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). Director of the Global Ocean Observing System at UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission in Paris, Director of the UK's Institute of Oceanographic Sciences Deacon Laboratory (Wormley), and Deputy Director of the Southampton (now National) Oceanography Centre. He has worked in academia, government and industry (BP and EXXON). He is a current member of the International Anthropocene Working Group. His books include ''Oceanography - an illustrated guide'', ''Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment'' and ''Earth's Climate Evolution'', amongst many other titles.

In January 2026 an International High Seas Treaty entered into force. The UK officially ratified this treaty in July 2026. This helps the UK support the 30by30 commitment to protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030.

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.

Organiser: Jane Osborn, Vice Commodore

Our East Coast Adventure - Gosport to Ipswich (01 Dec 2026)

Tue, 01 Dec 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Talk - Our East Coast Adventure, Gosport to Ipswich

Guest Speaker: Joyce Herve

Our very own Joyce Herve is going to tell us about her sailing trip from Gosport to Ipswich in her boat Alcine. Her late partner Peter was skipper and they were taking part in a Westerly Owner's club Summer Cruise, to celebrate the club's 60th anniversary.

Her talk will include many pictures of marinas, wildlife and interesting structures taken along the way, with plenty of historical facts thrown in. During this trip they berthed in St Katharine's Dock, London Bridge was lifted specially for them and they sailed up the river Orwell to Ipswich.

This talk is dedicated to Peter.

Brief Biography Joyce

Joyce worked as a podiatrist for the NHS for many years and also ran her own private practice. She also has a degree in Landscape Archaeology and was a Director of Butser Ancient Farm. She worked with Time Team on two occasions.

Joyce's two daughters work as health professionals and her son was a specialist engineer.

Most of her life she had a love/hate relationship with water, until she was introduced to sailing by friends. She then qualified as Day Skipper, joined a sailing club and met her late partner Peter. They purchased Alcine in 2019 and mainly sailed in the Solent and to the West Country. Their plans to sail around Britain were curtailed in 2023, due to Peter's ill health, so they joined the Westerly Owner's Association rally to Ipswich.

Brief Biography Peter

Peter was a very experienced sailor, having sailed across the Atlantic several times and taken part in the Fastnet on three occasions. He was a very calm and immensely capable man with a great sense of humour.

Organiser: Jane Osborn, Vice Commodore

Tales of a circumnavigation of GB in a Laser Dinghy (19 Jan 2027)

Tue, 19 Jan 2027 19:30:00 GMT

Tales from a single handed, unsupported circumnavigation of GB in a laser dingy. Andrew will tell us about the highs and lows of his mammoth 2200 mile journey.

Guest Speaker: Dr Andrew Hill-Smith

Dr Hill-Smith has been a child psychiatrist for over 30 years and a consultant for 25 years. He embarked on a six months challenge to sail solo around Great Britain in a Laser Dinghy.

He is otherwise known as -

" The Shrink in the Drink"

He set off from Gosport in April 2023, in his 4.2m long boat, HMS Betty, named after his late mother. We will hear how he overcame emotional exhaustion, survived capsizing in strong winds and heavy seas and dealt with damage to his Laser.

Andrew did all this to raise money for children's charity Place2Be, The Motor Neurone Disease Association and sailing charity The Andrew Simpson Foundation. He is still raising money for these charities.

Organiser: Jane Osborn , Vice Commodore

The Work of The National Coastwatch Institution(NCI) - Nigel Batchelor (02 Feb 2027)

Tue, 02 Feb 2027 19:30:00 GMT

The work of the National Coastwatch Institute ( NCI)

Guest Speaker: Nigel Batchelor, Gosport NCI

Nigel's talk will explain the three main areas the NCI covers.

Firstly, the formation of the NCI and its evolvement into a Declared Asset to HM Coastguards. He will explain how NCI interact as a member of the Search and Rescue community and how NCI further contribute to that service.

Secondly, the work of NCI Gosport. This is a unique station as it is situated inside a secure MoD facility, overlooking Portsmouth Harbour, the Harbour Approaches and the Eastern Solent.

Thirdly, General water safety. This will also include some of the incidents ( with images) that we see from Gosport ---- the good, the bad and the ugly!

A brief Biography:

Nigel is a Guildford resident who spent his life working in the motor industry. He learnt to sail on the Norfolk Broads and Norfolk Coast. He has sailed Dinghys, Lasers, Folkboats and Clipper Yachts. He has been a boat owner for the past 25 years based at Haslar Marina, Gosport.

For any queries please email: jane.osborn.jo@gmail.com

Organiser: Jane Osborn - Vice Commodore

Hurricane Force - Tom Cunliffe (23 Feb 2027)

Tue, 23 Feb 2027 19:30:00 GMT

Talk - Hurricane Force

Guest Speaker: Tom Cunliffe

Legendary sailor, author and professional speaker

Hurricane Force is Tom's new thriller, based on his lifetime of storms at sea and on land. Tom recounts in his inimitable way how sinking boats, dodgy characters and hurricanes that he's experienced all found their way into this exciting read.

Tom will be accompanied by his wife Ros, and a wide selection from his many book titles will be available for purchase on the night. Tom will gladly sign copies of "Hurricane Force" on the night.

We anticipate a high turn-out for this event which will also be open to local sailing clubs, friends and prospective members. Online Registration is therefore necessary.

A maximum of 100 places in total will be available.

Registration is free for all GCCC Members and Partners, and £10 for each "Visitor". Booking/Registration is only via the website.

GCCC Members

GCCC Members and Partner members must each Register individually. Note: for Partner members without an email address, the main Member should first register and then send an email with details of the Partner registration to jane.osborn.jo@gmail.com
Alternatively they can create/update their Partner profile to make it easier!

GCCC Members can also bring non-member Guests but the Guests must be paid for in advance by the Member and their names listed in the 'Information for Organiser' box.

Non Members

Non-members need to Register individually, using the website. They need to have a unique email address, and pay in advance of the event, by Monday 22nd February 2027.

Pre-payment of £10.00 per person. Please pre-pay into the Club Bank Account quoting your name as Reference. All relevant GCCC Bank details will become visible during the Registration process.

No physical tickets will be issued but confirmation emails will be sent, and a list of pre-paid attendees will be checked on entering the club.

Sorry, but because of seating limits, we cannot accept Visitors, or any cash payments, on the evening.

For any queries please email jane.osborn.jo@gmail.com

Organiser: Jane Osborn, Vice Commodore

The Diving Game - More stories than Enid Blyton (02 Mar 2027)

Tue, 02 Mar 2027 19:30:00 GMT

The Diving Game - more stories than Enid Blyton

GCCC Club Speaker: Sophie Parry

It is always important to remember that when a Club Member says that there is a story to be told, it should be told!! So our very own Sophie Parry will tell it!!

Sophie Parry brief Bio

I am a chartered electrical engineer whose career started with a maritime twist, requiring occasional diving skills. In addition to my day job, I further developed my diving skills and obtained a diploma in underwater archaeology. I qualified as a BSAC Advanced Instructor and a First Class Diver with an HSE commercial endorsement. I also became interested in underwater photography and videography and won several international underwater photography awards.

The last expedition I lead, in 2019, was to the Guadal Canal in the Solomon Islands. It was on this trip, after 30 years diving, I decided to retire - age and health being a major factor.

This lead to the more genteel and, some might say, civilised world of sailing. Although sailing culture can be very different I've discovered I have many transferable skills.

Synopsis

Expedition and research diving can take you to some remote parts of the world, where you need to be prepared to expect the unexpected ....

This talk samples 3 expeditions - it explains the objective and includes entertaining stories from the following contrasting locations -

Micronesia & Chuuk Lagoon - 48 hours and 4 different flights from the UK to get there. Chuuk (formerly Truk) is where Operation Hailstone took place - the scene of a 2 day WW2 battle between the US and Japan.

Curacao - Where I was allegedly part of the Venezuelan pharmaceutical industry!

Norway - Environmental checks on a recently sunken cargo vessel, WW2 wreck surveys and a chance to sample some local history.

And to conclude the talk, an overview of some of the vessels I've used as diving platforms, from purpose-built research vessels to what can only be described as floating sheds!

For any queries: jane.osborn.jo@gmail.com

Organiser: Jane Osborn - Vice Commodore