Event Reports 2022

• Lunch and Annual General Meeting
• Fitting Out Lunch
• Fambridge Rally
• Woodbridge Rally

Fitting Out Lunch – Saturday 19th March

This year we held the Fitting Out lunch at the Walton & Frinton Yacht Club, which has a well deserved reputation for a friendly atmosphere, and excellent food. We were not disappointed.

45 members and Crew attended on a lovely early Spring Day with blue skies. It was the day before the Spring Equinox, and a very high tide at 12:36 was predicted. Fortunately the roadway only half covered, and no one got wet feet !

After the meal Alan Giles presented the Branch Trophy to Derek & Elaine Grant for their assistance in running events at Titchmarsh Marina over a considerable number of years.

Chris Allcock (MOA Secretary) then presented the past Commodore of the MOA, Colin Barber, with a crystal decanter and a bottle of the Old Poultney “Maritime Malt” from Wick. This was in grateful recognition of all his service and contribution to the Association in the role. Chris then presented a bouquet of flowers to his wife Jane.

Colin Shead – East Coast Webmaster

Rally to Fambridge – Saturday 30th April – 1st May

The first bank holiday of the 2022 sailing season dawned bright and warm. Our shakedown cruise comprised motoring round from the marina to the yacht station pontoon on the river where we were able to come alongside behind Gypsy. Rockhopper and Crazy Diamond berthed in the marina joining Aquisse and Magic Flute.

Later in the afternoon 21 members and 1 dog gathered on Jemma for drinks and nibbles. Amber the spaniel was particularly interested in the sausage rolls and was allowed the last one. Thanks to Louise from Magic Flute for ensuring that she did not help herself to more!

We realised how lucky we were with the weather when we exchanged photos with Scottish member Fiona who sent us an image of a rain soaked BBQ area.

On Sunday we enjoyed lunch at the newly refurbished Ferry Boat Inn. The lunches were tasty and ample and the service friendly. Traditional Sunday lunch was popular but the seafood platter looked delicious and some even found room for desserts.

Some members left to catch the tide down the Crouch later in the afternoon and others stayed to enjoy bank holiday Monday on the river or a late breakfast at the River Breeze café at the marina.

A good start to the season.

Linda Jessup – East Coast Committee Member

Rally to Woodbridge – Friday 3rd June – 5th June

Despite the highly unpredictable weather nine boats managed to get over the infamous Deben Bar and into the Tidemill Marina at Woodbridge on the lovely river Deben arriving on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, one member literally scraping in at the last minute with the tide falling rapidly. As there was no organiser in the river Deben for this rally we tried something new in the form of a self-arranged event with the participating members keeping in touch via a WhatsApp group, which worked really well.

On Friday afternoon we gathered on Jemma for drinks, retro cheesy nibbles and chat and two hours quickly passed before everyone drifted off to the local taverns or to get a takeaway.

Woodbridge Cruising Club had invited us for drinks on Saturday lunchtime and we received a very friendly welcome. By the time we left, the Jubilee celebrations were well under way at Whissocks Quay with bands playing all afternoon. Some members decided to brave the rather blustery conditions to make their way downriver on the afternoon tide and pick up a mooring at Ramsholt for the night. Others decided to wait until Sunday afternoon and enjoy a last walk along the river and perhaps treat themselves to some lovely pastries and cakes being sold on the Quay.

Altogether another enjoyable East Coast event with some new faces and old friends and a slightly more challenging destination.

Linda Jessup – East Coast Committee Member

Rally to Ipswich Haven Marina – Saturday 9th July – 10th July

The key feature of this weekend must have been the weather – glorious sunshine, light winds, dominated in the afternoons by the sea breeze and several participants complaining that it was too hot – not frequently heard on the East Coast of England!

Having got most of the boats berthed, the group all climbed onto Wild Thyme’s deck for drinks and nibbles at 2 pm – a chance to meet new Moody Owners, for some of whom this was their first MOA event. We were even joined by one couple on foot, having flown from (even hotter) Greece the previous day.

Following this, a dozen of us walked to the Briarbank microbrewery for a tour and tasting in their air conditioned bar, a most interesting experience, especially for the home brewers amongst us.

For the evening, we gathered in The Last Anchor for dinner a well prepared dinner in convivial company. It was improved by the 10% discount vouchers given by the Haven Marina in their welcome pack. Altogether, 9 Moodys and 23 members had an enjoyable, relaxing weekend in the sunshine.

Peter Wright – Orwell Local Contact

Rally to Bradwell – Saturday 27th-29th August

The August bank holiday saw a number of members heading for Bradwell for a long weekend. Some 24 members attended. The eventual complement comprised the usual gathering of familiar faces and those attending for the first time.
The Saturday kicked off with a BBQ at the Bradwell Quay Yacht Club (BQYC). Although seating arrangements were a bit dispersed everyone was so busy catching up and getting to know new faces, that everyone completely forgot about the games that had been laid on! BQYC offered their usual excellent facilities and Roger did an excellent job preparing the venue and the BBQ. As darkness descended people moved inside before dispersing for coffees around the marina.
Sunday morning saw crews selecting routes to walk, or places to rest and recuperate. A lot selected various lengths of walk from 1.5 to 6 miles although one crew were so enamoured by the views they did 7. Routes included a selection of; the sea wall, visiting the local village of Bradwell on Sea, St Peters-on-the-wall, the war memorial and even the decommissioned nuclear power station.
By early afternoon Robin and Lin, appeared with the afternoon refreshments to the relief of the other committee members. They laid on a lovely spread of snacks, with Pimm’s and a variety of other drinks.
Monday morning was again bright and warm but the wind picked up to a F4/5. Mid-morning saw a slow trickle departing to their various bases and by early afternoon all boats were homeward bound.
Everyone seemed to have a thoroughly good time, and the committee had tried out some of the suggestions made in response to the survey. Colin did another excellent job with all the communications and identified yet another benefit of using WhatsApp (taking photos) during events. So, all in all another excellent weekend.

Alan Giles – Branch Captain

Rally to Burnham – Saturday 23rd-24th September

First to arrive were Rachel and Tony Holford (Orca) Friday lunch time. They were making the Rally their final stop on a circumnavigation of the UK. The early arrivals gathered in the Swallow Tail restaurant and enjoyed a very convivial evening of good food, with Rachel and Tony sharing some of their experiences and others joining in with memories of past trips to those waters.

Saturday morning dawned bright and clear, if a little windy. The forecast had not been too promising so the deck tent was rigged on our Moody 333 ‘Elaine’ as part of the preparation. Crews began to assemble from two pm. ‘Elaine’ soon reached her full capacity, with several members having to play musical chairs in order that the refreshments could be passed around and glasses refilled.
Conversation and laughter soon filled the boat, with two distinct groups, one in the saloon and the other in the cockpit. Craig Garrard (Abeona) was attending his first ‘Moody’ event and was made welcome by all. The cheese and wine was followed by a selection of home-made cakes.

Proceedings had to be drawn to a close just after five. The road to the Marina was to close about six to enable the Carnival procession to take place. Some of the members adjourned to other boats, whilst others walked into town to join in the festivities, fun fair and fireworks.

Adrian Oliver – Committee Member

Laying Up Lunch – Sunday 23rd October

Captain’s Closing Remarks

Our laying up was at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, in Burnham on Crouch. 44 members attended for a two course carvery lunch, which, as on previous occasions, was excellent.

The day had dawned with wet weather, so it was an ideal day to escape from the weather and enjoy a very sociable occasion with fellow Moody Owners.

After the meal our Branch Captain, Alan Giles, thanked the Club for their hospitality and also announced that he was standing down as Captain at the next East Coast AGM in January. We need a volunteer please, contact any one of the Committee for more information,

Colin Shead – East Coast Webmaster