Gunfleet AGM Looks Back Over Amazing Club Year
Gunfleet Sailing Club held its 62nd Annual General Meeting last Sunday 1 December 2024 and Commodore Richard Walker welcomed those members present and reflected on a very successful year which included some sixty events on the water, and house-full signs for many of the social functions.
Club Treasurer, Peter Downer, reported a continuing healthy financial situation, despite some key investment, including a new RIB to replace the aging Rescue Boat 1 and a new trailer for Rescue Boat 2. He went on to thank the generous sponsors – Orsted, Odiin, and Nucleus Watersports for their continued support. Commodore Walker then took the members on a whistle-stop tour of 2024, highlighting the record number of race entries, the impact on the sailors of the burgeoning RS Aero fleet, the growth in new, and active, members, and the strength of the Gunfleet in being one big happy family where camaraderie and support went hand in hand. It was, somewhat ironically, the inclusiveness that made the Club rather exclusive. The work parties had been well attended, the Cadets and Otters had enjoyed their Splash event over the school summer holidays, and the group of land-based helpers had done the Club proud at the Regatta, the Wednesday evening sailing, the Splash, and the Fitting-Out, and Laying-Up Suppers; providing hot and tasty refreshment. The Club’s communication was a leader in its field, and kept every member fully informed and entertained, ensuring everyone was up to speed on all Club matters. Finally he thanked the Committee for their hard work and loyalty throughout the year.
The Chairman of the Directors of Gunfleet Sailing Club Ltd., Malcolm Jolly, reported that the Club continued to be in a strong financial position and ready to use some of its reserves to undertake much needed structural work to the Clubhouse, taking the opportunity to make improvements to the entrance lobby and race box at the same time. The Club had met all the increased requirements to continue to be affiliated to the Royal Yachting Association, its sport’s governing body; he had attended the RYA annual regional conference and reported that, in many areas, Gunfleet appeared to be ahead of the game, punching well above its weight.
The meeting concluded with the election of officers to serve on the Committee in 2025, and they were:
Commodore: Richard Walker
Vice Commodore: Robert Mitchell
Rear Commodore: Malcolm Jolly
Sailing Secretary: Chris Maloney
Social Secretary: Elaine Dye
Cadet Officer: Jo Taylor
Compound Officer: Martin Chivers
Club Treasurer, appointed by the Directors of Gunfleet Sailing Club Ltd., continued to be Peter Downer and the members wished to record their heartfelt thanks for his many years of loyal service to the Gunfleet.
The meeting concluded with a reminder that the Club was hosting the Comet class National Championships in 2025 when some thirty Comet dinghies were expected to take part; member help being needed to ensure that all the visiting sailors went home with great memories of “probably the best little sailing club on the east coast”.
