THE COMMODORE

No sooner do we get the AGM and Annual Dinner behind us than the Editor begins to mutter about the date on which copy for Flying Fish should reach her. Let me put it differently -- no sooner does Anne draw breath after ensuring by her excellent organisation that the Dinner, which we were privileged to hold at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club, was a totally enjoyable occasion, than she turns her mind to the task of producing the next issue of our Journal. Anne has given, and gives, outstanding service to our Club and it is fitting that the Rear Commodore's flag will fly at the masthead of that much travelled yacht, Wrestler of Leigh. She takes over from Mary Falk. All members may not be aware of their debt to Mary in keeping their Committee on the right lines -- legally -- but surely all will have followed her sailing exploits with admiration. At the presentation of awards for 1992 Tony Vasey aptly described Mary as `the fastest lady across the Atlantic', referring, of course, to her achievement in the 1992 Singlehanded Transatlantic Race. Before the presentations Tony spoke about the Club awards, stressing, firstly, that there is no element of competition in the system and, secondly, that the Awards Sub-Committee relies entirely on the activities of members, and non-members, being brought to its notice. Without such information being received there is the danger that outstanding achievements afloat and outstanding contributions to ensuring the vitality and wellbeing of our Club, may be unrecognized, so please keep the information coming in, whether about your own activities or those of others.

It was very good to see a number of new members at the AGM and Dinner and also to be joined by some who had travelled from as far away as New York and Michigan - a splendid effort on their part.

In presenting the Accounts for the year ended 31st October 1992 to the Annual General Meeting the Honorary Treasurer reported a surplus, after tax, of £4921 and an increase in income of 11% over 1991. Expenditure showed a fall of 8%, but if the cost of the three-yearly Members Handbook, printed the previous year, was taken into account there was a comparative increase of 19%. High interest rates have assisted the rise in income, but they are now falling, whereas, at the same time, postage and other costs are rising. It may therefore be necessary to raise the subscription with effect from 1st February 1994, the present rate having been held for four years.

It was in the December 1991 Newsletter that I first drew the attention of UK members to the work of the Fairthorne Foundation. With the problems of young people today and the increasing need for them to be provided with purpose and motivation, the activities of the Foundation are of even greater importance than they were at that time. Its appeal for funds for the construction of the Sir Alec Rose Memorial Building to enable the scope of these activities to be developed and extended continues, and I hope that OCC members will also continue to support this project in which our late Admiral was so deeply involved. The address is The Fairthorne Foundation, YMCA National Centre, Fairthorne Manor, Curdridge, Southampton SO3 2GH. Telephone: 0489 785228. I have a limited number of their descriptive leaflets.

If, in addition to the News from Voyaging Members we had a section entitled News of Pottering Members, I would qualify. I am so fortunate that my circumnavigating step-children have so far found it possible to include me in some of their sailing without seriously affecting their progress, and my recent escape from the realities of life on dry land was even more rewarding than usual. I was with Pat and Mike Pocock in Blackjack in December, sailing from Launceston, Tasmania, round to Hobart via the Furneaux Islands in Bass Strait and numerous other ports and anchorages. Then I joined Peter and Rozy Barton in Rose Rambler of Devon at Ao Chalong, Phuket Island, in time for Christmas, after which we explored the fascinating area between that island and the Thai mainland. Both scenically and in temperature the contrast between these two areas is striking; both are spectacular in their own way, and full of colour and interest. I recommend them to all sailing folk.

England on my return, was grey. Colour and sparkle returned to life when I was privileged, once again, to be a guest at the Irish Cruising Club Annual Dinner, held this year in Co Clare. As always, the hospitality of that Club was superlative.