The Westerly Owners' Association - East Coast and Thames Estuary

Bill Julier (Lincoln Aries) having his very first taste of a toasted marshmallow on his 72nd birthday

Our rallies this season have been affected by bad weather, but eleven boats made it to Ipswich for our first event. Unfortunately the weather took a turn for the worse and four boats had an extended stay at Ipswich Haven!

The forecast of strong to gale force winds proved right for our Woodbridge BBQ resulting in only one boat making the passage. The weather improved dramatically in the evening, the sun came out and Westerly Wheels swung into action joining those already at Woodbridge. We had skippers and crews from eight boats for a very enjoyable BBQ gathering.

The next rally to Tollesbury was again the victim of the weather, nevertheless with five boats managing to sail there and Westerly Wheels transporting skippers and crews from four more boats a jolly BBQ evening was had by all.

We finished a successful 2007 season with a Laying up Supper at the Lightship Restaurant in Suffolk Yacht Harbour. The Vice Commodore Brian Easteal and Denise joined us for the evening swelling numbers attending to forty four.Our speakers after dinner were Tim and Penny Fenton who gave a polished and fascinating account of their transatlantic circuit with two young children in 2005/06, in their Corsair, Tamarisk of Rye. A wonderful adventure for the whole family the younger of which learnt much that their school could not have taught them. At the WOA AGM they were presented with the Rayner Plate in recognition of their endeavour and achievment.