Coordinator: Sheena Boyce, Solent Branch Secretary

The 2017 Solent Branch AGM was held on Sunday 4th February 2018 in the Members Room at Itchenor Sailing Club. After a brisk short walk from Itchenor Car Park (it was a sunny cold day!) everyone was ready for their coffee and pastry and enjoyed catching up with friends and meeting branch members attending their first branch event.

Mike Neave, our Vice Captain (at the start of the meeting) called the 2017 AGM to order – in the absence of outgoing Branch Captain Allan Howlett who had received an invitation to deliver lectures on a cruise to Brazil that would be taking in the Rio Carnival.

Mike presided (with ease) over proceedings, introducing the current committee to the assembled gathering and inviting the Secretary and Treasurer to deliver their reports before reading out the Captain’s Report he had received from Allan.

The winner of the 2017 Photograph Competition, that had a theme of Moodys in Nature was announced – James and Jackie Macbeth who sail Jouster, a Moody 336 won a framed print of their winning photograph.

Mike expressed the Branch’s thanks to the 2017 Committee and awarded small gifts to those officers stepping down from their roles, having completed their terms – Allan Howlett, Martin Boyce, Sheena Boyce, Neil O’Connor and Kim Sage. Mike presented the award of the Thelma Alloway Trophy, an award that recognises “special contribution to Solent Branch” to Martin and Sheena Boyce (Imogen).

Mike Neave was appointed Branch Captain and branch members were appointed to fill each of the vacant positions on the Branch Committee.  With the 2018 Branch Committee.in place, Mike delivered his Captain’s Address and reminded everyone to buy their raffle tickets (raising funds for the RNLI) before closing the meeting.

We transferred to the Club’s Jubilee Room and enjoyed a wonderful carvery lunch with a backdrop of panoramic “sunny” winter views of Chichester Harbour.

Sheena Boyce