Around 30 members attended Hollowshore CC’s Annual General Meeting and Christmas Party, the same number as last year, despite being forced to move from the planned Saturday evening to Sunday lunchtime because of high winds, driving rain and freezing temperatures.

As far as we know, only one member missed the e-mail and turned up on Saturday night to find the clubhouse in darkness!

Commodore Mark Sanders declared: I’m bound to apologise to all those members that haven’t been able to attend due to rearranging the date at the last minute. But you know you are in the right club when one of your more senior members responds to the postponement with “WELL HOW MANY WERE COMING BY BOAT?”

The meeting later accepted a committee recommendation that the annual subscription be raised by £5 to £60. In his report, Mark recalled a year of popular social events, and a sailing calendar that included cruises to St Katharine Dock, Gillingham and the introduction of the Swale Matches. Members also independently and in company sailed down the South Coast, some crossed the Channel and several trips were taken up the East Coast, rounded off with a rendezvous at Heybridge Basin.

The social side of the club had continued with an entertainments evening thanks to member Jon Bloice arranging a popular evening with Merlin and the Rockets, while Alan Thorne also performed solo with his accomplished guitar and singing.

“Not quite over yet, as we have the Christmas Party this afternoon and the year will be rounded off with the Christmas Nibbles, once more thanks to Mary, Freda and Roger.” The Commodore also thanked the committee for their support, with special thanks to Carole Grater, Mike Riches, Beryl Brooke and Mike Robertson. Chris Lovering and David Welch had made sure the cruises went without a hitch, while Bob Todd had organised the boat jumble and work parties.

“ The continued success of Hollowshore Cruising Club is all about the members which is demonstrated whenever we ask for volunteers to get involved. With that in mind, there is a vacancy on the committee should any club member feel they would like to join in taking the club forward. Thank you once again for all your support,” said Mark.

The Treasurer reported that although there were six non-renewals of membership there were eight new members in the year, increasing the total of paying members to 113. Carole said the one-year fixed savings account had been increased by £10,000 to £50,000, currently earning 3.6% interest, which was predicted to reduce to about 2.5%. Keeping the subscription at £55, total income could reduce by about £1,376 to £10,700, which would just cover overheads, while a £60 figure could potentially give us a cushion of £500 to cover any reduction in membership totals or an increase in overheads. A copy of her income / expenditure figures with actual figures for the past three years would be on the noticeboard.

There were no changes in the make-up of the committee, all of whom were re-elected, or of the Trustees (Dick Holness, Mike Perkins and Mark Sanders), while Lesley Jameson and Terry and Glenys Young continued as Honorary Members. Rod Akhurst agreed to serve another year as honorary Accounts Reviewer.