This meeting was organised by J D Reeve at the Saltern's Hotel near the Tudor Sailing Club, Langstone Harbour. Unfortunately the rail strike was on at the time so that local enthusiasts, mainly from the T.S.C., formed the majority of those present, about twenty in all, which was a very promising beginning. Lt. Com. Fairley and E C Coleman outlined the objects of the Assocation which were as follows:

“To encourage the sport of dinghy cruising by the following means:

1. To provide a channel for the exchange of information on all aspects of dinghy cruising and to enable enthusiasts to contact each other.

2. By holding rallies, to enable enthusiasts to meet each other.

3. To assist novices to take up dinghy cruising.”

Dead silence greeted the proposal that a secretary should be elected and, as the fate of the D.C.A. hung in the balance, Lt. Com. Fairley gallantly volunteered. A treasurer was also required and Mrs. Fairley suddenly found herself elected. Next, a small committee was elected consisting of Lt.Com. Fairley, J D Reeve and E C Coleman. Two rallies were planned, one at the Folly Inn on the Medina River July 31st., and one at Bosham, Chichester August 14th. A subscription was fixed for the time being at 2/6 and Mrs. Fairley enthusiastically swung into action. The meeting was then adjourned and all correspondence was turned over to Lt.Com. Fairley.

July 31st. Rally at Folly Inn

The fine weather helped to make this first rally very successful. The following boats and crews took part. T Thorp, having recently purchased a Fairey Albacore, sailed over from Chichester on Saturday the 30th. accompanied by Miss Brazier. A G Earl, author of "'Dinghy Cruising", sailed over from Chichester in his ten footer Sunday morning and arrived about noon. He had to get back the same day, so could not wait for the rest of us to arrive, returning on the afternoon east going tide. It was a pity we missed him as he has done more for dinghy cruising than anyone else and is regarded by many as the "master", being responsible for introducing many to the sport through his book. E C Coleman arrived in his cruising dinghy with S J W Bromet in the afternoon and soon afterwards three boats arrived from the Tudor Sailing Club; J Reeve in his remarkable 14 foot Humber Yawl, J Smith and R Dancy in a fearful old 18 foot one-design and Jack Roberts with a friend in a 14 foot Bermudan dinghy.

C S Dent and his wife in a Nicholson one-design arrived from Fareham Hants., this being their first cruise in the Solent. In the evening, Lt.Com. Fairley turned up in his 18 foot Solent Seagull, having cruised to France and the Channel Islands since the meeting on May 30th. Apparently he sails to France once a season owing to a passion for French oysters! B Naylor turned up in a 14 foot cabin dinghy which he had sailed single-handed round from the East coast. After a highly satisfactory evening at the Inn, the Committee met at about midnight aboard the Seagull. Suddenly a 6 foot pram appeared alongside and her crew of four solemnly announced that they were about to row round the Isle of Wight! They were persuaded however to get back to bed and sleep it off. The following day the rally ended, T Thorp sailing for the East coast accompanied by E C Coleman in his boat as far as Newhaven.

August 14th. Rally at Bosham

This rally was held at the Bosham Sailing Club who very kindly allowed us to use their premises. It was thought that enthusiasts in the Chichester area who had not yet cruised in the Solent would turn up at this rally. However we did not meet one, perhaps due to the fact that not much advanced notice was given. Six boats arrived from the Tudor Sailing Club and Lt.Com. Fairley and E C Coleman also turned up in their boats. J Perry of the Tudor Sailing Club was too ill to come ashore so he was left to recover aboard his boat. During the evening some eight more members of the T.S.C. arrived so that about a total of eighteen enthusiasts turned up. A G Earl would have attended the Rally but unfortunately he received his notice on the day following due to an unexpected change of address.

On September 17th. an impromptu rally was held on an island in Langstone Harbour, largely for the benefit of junior members of the T.S.C. Our best thanks are due to Susan (crewing with J D Reeve) together with the younger members assisting her, who in the face of great difficulties provided us with excellent fare. Three Bristol Sea Scouts turned up and, in the evening, a sing-song was held round a camp fire. E C Coleman arrived and sold beer at an enormous profit which was added to the funds of the Association. This rally was so successful that others will be held in sheltered waters next season.