All Laid Up for 2026

Published 17:42 on 9 Nov 2026

Saturday night was one of the key social nights of the year and there was glitter, laughter, fairy lights and shinies abounding. The social squad and some eager volunteers Friday night had decorated the club top-to-toe in fairy lights, flowers and goodies. Obstacles were hidden away, the tables set and the trophies counted - almost like little elves at Christmas, we were ready for Saturday night's main event.

We started with a little blown fuse but panic not, our beautiful lights were restored swiftly and Chef Fabio got to work cheffing up some curries and lasagnes whilst all of us eager attendees mingled and chattered over glasses of bubbles. Then it was time for our supper - under the warmth of fairy lights and with enough people to warm the club, it was a great affair and whether it was curry or lasagne and tofee, bakewell or brownie, there were clean plates all round.

Then of course came the time for **drumroll please** the main event - the celebration of the year at the club with the presentation of trophies and awards. And impressively this year, not a single trophy was out of place - they were all shiny, laid and ready to go. Our Commodore, Ian, handed out certificates, trophies and of course, a giant rubber duck, to worthy winners. The committee awarded prizes were tough to award this year with so many great displays of sportsmanship, clubmanship etc and, of course, a fair few impressive capsizes! The winners of committee awarded prizes were:

Ships Wheel Senior - Matt Allen

Ships Wheel Junior - Abby Allen

Traveller - Youth League Team

Sportsmanship - Phil Hardy

King Duck - Kieran Vanhoutte

Social Sailing Trophy - Mike Turner

Kingfisher Trophy for Clubmanship - James Hatton

Crewing - Louise Hall

But of course, there are also our racers to celebrate

Spring Handicap / Pursuit Trophy / Baby Egg / Laser Aggregate / Thurmott Shield - Glenn Wilkinson

Kempton Cup (Streaker) - Ian Wakeling

Norman Brettel Cup / Laser Best 10 / Roswell Monster / Easter Egg / Summer Handicap - Edward Human

August Mini Series / Autumn Handicap / Baby Monster / Handicap Fleet Best 10 / Handicap Fleet Aggregate - Richard & Leslie Denny

Topper Aggregate Cup - Fergus Marshall

Halloween Bowl / Barts Bash (at Ely) / Jamie Butcher Memorial Races / Whitsun Cup - Phil Hardy

Ladies Plate - Clare Christan

Boxing Day - Jack Knight

Model Sailing Summer / Model Sailing Winter - Gil Hart

Thursday Evening Cup / George Washington Cup - Jamie Wade

Thursday Evening Shield - Michael Hatton

Bob Utteridge (Double Handed) - Kieran Vanhoutte & Edward Human

Overall, an absolutley fabulous culmination of a fabulous year. Thank you to everyone who came along & made the event great and make the club great every single day. And thanks also to Brent & the social committee for organising everything, everyone who came down and decorated, Ian & his fabulous Debbie McGee or, as some call her, Emma for a smooth running of the evening and awards.

Next stop... the AGM

Photos from the evening are available on the website gallery.

Last updated 17:50 on 9 November 2026