This Bulletin has continued in recognisably the same form for not much less than half a century. Is it time that we looked for a change of tone and format? It seems that some people feel that we are failing to use all the aids to lively appeal now available from our computer systems. We have discussed the possibility of text broken up by photos, arranged in columns, with snappy sub-headings in different types of print. Am I in a minority in finding a continuous page of text easier to read? I have also been told that the Bulletin is too serious — even gloomy. I’m all for light hearted articles about happy events. Funny cartoons and amusing doggerel can entertain us all. Humour is a difficult thing though. Sometimes references to individuals and their idiosyncrasies leads those who don’t know them to feel excluded by a clique. Sometimes one writer’s jokes may seem to others to be in bad taste. Sometimes I have to edit out jokes which were repetitive — I hope I have not offended too often in this respect. The only way to get it right is for members to say what they think, not only in the pleasant tributes which are often expressed, but more critically.

We’ll never all agree, of course. Our individuality reflects the kind of sailing we do, and I hope there is room for many different approaches. It’s a long time since a member pitched his tent on a muddy river bank and returned to find it demolished by a herd of bullocks. These days some members, often those in welcome family groups, look for civilised campsites with plenty of hot showers and other comforts. There’s room for the loner sleeping aboard and for the family introducing its non-sailing members to rallies without making it too spartan for them. I think we strike about the right balance — but there’s always room for improvement. JA