It is the duty of the PRO to make known the activities and interests of the Association to the general public. This can be done through local and national newspapers, the yachting press, and exhibitions. In the D.C.A., it falls to some extent on the PRO to inform members of the Association itself what is going on in the Association. The only channel for this is the Bulletin.

Mr McCreery passed on this job to me with a standard to be lived up to. I have not equalled his standard but I do consider the year to be a success as far as publicity is concerned. To some extent the publicity has resulted in new members, and this is surely the aim of publicity.

At the 1969 International Boat Show, Earls Court, Charles Smith, editor of Boat World, was able to display reference to the D.C.A. on his stand.

The early part of the year saw the D.C.A. represented at a number of exhibitions.

In Birmingham, Jim Smith and his friends made some excellent display boards of photographs, and Vic Lewis Boats Ltd, of Birmingham, was able to display these on his stand at the Birmingham Outdoor and Leisure Exhibition. Our thanks are due to Jim for time spent as D.C.A. rep. at the exhibition.

In Scotland, Adam Murray took steps towards getting the D.C.A. into the Great Outdoors Exhibition in Glasgow. After contacting the organisers it was felt that the cost would exceed the possible return. Contact was made, however, with every local newspaper.

March 7th and 8th saw the D.C.A. at the London Dinghy Exhibition at Crystal Palace. Joe Amos of the now-formed Birmingham Group exhibited his home constructed Mirror 16 with full cruising inventory. On behalf of the Association may I thank Mr Amos. Ian McCreery and Dave Durrens did some splendid work on the display material. Thank you also Jack Whitby, Ron Dean, Jim Smith and all those who spent time answering the visitors’ questions. Several new members were gained. It was disappointing that the Daily Mirror and the Mirror 16 Class Association took so little interest in the exhibit, which must surely have been the first attempt to shew the boat in the use for which it was designed.

In Cheshire, Geoff and Lorna Cheatham were active in March, and, using my tent and Joan Abrams’ gear, a Tideway was exhibited at the Cheshire Schools Sailing Association Exhibition.

References to D.C.A. in the local press have been many. Yachting and Boating Weekly has been very helpful, and we must thank Charles Jones and his staff for their support. Practical Boat Owner published an article written by our President, John Deacon, and reference was made to the D.C.A. here.

It is with deep regret that we note the death of a faithful friend of the D.C.A., Cyril Costello, of Light Craft. Cyril, who died just before the magazine was re-named Small Boat, always took an interest in our activities and included references to us in his column whenever possible. On behalf of us all I wrote to Small Boat asking that the D.C.A.’s sympathies be passed to his widow and family.

Mayflower 70 Plymouth offer free publicity of West Country events. During the week of the Tall Ships Race it is hoped that an activity week can be held in Plymouth. Further details from myself.

Thanks are due to Ivor Perren for art work, and to Charles Stock for speaking to the sailing fraternity of the University of Essex.

The cost of exhibitions is prohibitive if we are to have our own space. It is often possible to persuade large concerns to allow us to display information on their stands. With handout literature, an exhibit can look after itself. Members able to offer suggestions for such projects, or who know of exhibitions being held in their areas where D.C.A. could usefully be represented, I would ask to contact me. Items observed in any press material are also welcomed.

Jim Smith will be trying to get material into the Birmingham Exhibition, Joan Abrams at Cheshire Schools, and myself into Plymouth Mayflower Displays. Any other ideas and/or offers of help are welcome.

For the London Dinghy Exhibition at Crystal Palace on March 7th and 8th, I have suggested to Alex Cowie that we exhibit Eric Coleman’s Rebell outside, and John Clark’s Puffin inside. Thanks to both for the offers of the boats. We require: (i) Heavy gang to shift boats into position at 0900hrs Saturday 7th March, and for removal at 1700hrs Sunday 8th March. Please contact me with name and address afterwards, or write to me. (ii) Display material is being prepared and black and white photos are needed. Colour photos and slides may also be of use. Members able to lend material are asked to contact Jim Smith or Ian McCreery. (iii) Rally programme. Details of summer rallies should be sent to me the day you get your Bulletin. The exhibition programme will be printed by Eric Coleman.

Devon Times 2nd January. David Pyle of D.C.A. has reached Singapore by way of the French canals, the Med., & lorry across Turkey & Syria.