There will be a meeting at Roa Island, Morecambe Bay, one weekend during August. Details will be sent to those in the group’s area, and to anyone else interested. Secretary: Joan Abrams, 38 Ley Lane, Marple Bridge, Cheshire.

South Coast Group

The Whitsun rally was well attended by a large variety of boats. Three boats met at a pre-arranged rendezvous at Calshot Castle for lunch, the two Mayfly dinghies of Slade Penoyre and Peter Glover, with John Clark’s twelve foot modified Scowler. At Bursledon they were joined by Ron Dean with his Walker 12 and Ernest Bailey with his fibreglass Tod also Mr & Mrs. Peter Thompson and George Dyer who came by road. John Deacon’s Jady Lane arrived late when the others were already taking afternoon tea with their boats pulled up the beach. To show how completed his boat was the president came up to windward a few yards off shore, dropped the hook, fiddled for a few moments over the side and produced a five foot coracle with oars. A wit in the crowd was heard to say, “Now I suppose he will produce a little man from his hat who will row him ashore.”

The six boats gave members a close look at various ideas developed for cruising, the most outstanding being John Deacon’s new design of folding camping cover. John, Ernest and Peter, all single handers, were able to stay overnight and camped on the foreshore, while the other members unfortunately had to make for home that evening.

AUGUST RALLY — Portchester Castle, Saturday August 29th 4 p.m. H.W. 9.30. Details from Peter Glover, 12 Pilgrims Way, Hillhead, Fareham, Hants.

North London Group

At the Spring rally only the three local boats turned up, perhaps because the weather was not very helpful — grey skies, intermittent rain and a fresh south-wester. Discussion flowed freely later in the “Cricketers” where other dinghy sailors from the Y.H.A. Sailing Group joined us.

No Autumn meeting has been arranged but if any member sailing on the Essex or Suffolk coast would like a rally in their home sailing area would you contact Ron Long suggesting time and place? (79 Monkswood Avenue, Waltham Abbey, Essex).