October 06, 2015

Ian Calderwood – Old Pulteney Maritime Hero 2015

October 06, 2015/ John Bryant

Each year Old Pulteney, the “maritime malt whisky”, invites nominations from sailing clubs for their “maritime heroes” in the categories: club service, sailing achievement and bravery.

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This year the council of Trent Offshore Group nominated Ian Calderwood for his ten year record of editing and producing our journal TOGline. In 2005 Ian was "persuaded" to take over the editorship of TOGline - our quarterly newsletter in black and white with rather staid factual reports of our various sailing expeditions. Ian livened up the magazine very successfully - particularly with his witty editorial comment, his encouragement of a more interesting and lively sailing reports and full colour illustrations.

In ten years as editor he has never failed to produce a timely and entertaining edition and he has an excellent way of cajoling copy out of reluctant or reticent contributors. Ian is now one of thirty finalists for the award of Old Pulteney Maritime Hero and will receive a certificate and a bottle of 12 year aged Old Pulteney. He follows other TOG recipients in earlier years including John Bryant, Arthur Wood, Mark Davis and Keith Stedman.

February 24, 2015

Annual Awards Dinner and Dance

February 24, 2015/ TOG Webmaster

Members and guests attended a relaxed and informal Dinner and Dance at the Greetham Valley Golf Club on Saturday, 31st January 2015.

The event provides an opportunity to present the Annual Awards to those deserving souls whom Council believe to have earned them over the course of the year. The following awards were announced and presented by the Presiding Master.

THE ELLIS TROPHY for the most promising newcomer goes to Jean Bevan who joined us in the Windward Isles January 2015 - not really knowing too much about the group or her fellow crew members. We hope that Jean will join us again soon on another trip, but unfortunately she cannot be with us this evening. Mary Bancroft accepted the Trophy on Jean’s behalf.

THE NAVIGATOR’S TANKARD goes to Neville Buckle who discovered the club through our website and joined the crew of Tres Jolie on the cross channel trip to the Baie de la Seine and then later, on the October Sailex in the Solent. Neville has all the makings of a stalwart TOG member

THE MILLENIUM TROPHY is awarded by TOGLINE editor’s choice in recognition of contributions to TOGLINE. It is awarded to Kevin Martin, who wrote an excellent report on the Scottish Sailex as skipper of Ruby Too.

THE COMMODORE’S CUP for long standing service to the club as enthusiastic crew member, unstintingly cheerful navigator and all round good egg goes to the editor of TOGLINE himself, Ian Calderwood.

Finally, your council has agreed to award a new trophy in tribute to and in memory of, our first Presiding Master, Norman Allen. Appropriately, this is a fine tankard and it goes to a relatively new member - someone who has already made a considerable mark in the group through his enthusiasm, experience and expertise; and who, most recently as skipper of the successful Pembrokeshire cruise, drew much praise from his crew. Alan Mortimore is the first recipient of the Norman Allen Trophy.”

After a number of years, we have resurrected the PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD for the most impressive picture submitted, with its accompanying article, to TOGLINE. This year it goes to Rowland Charge for his picture of sunset on Loch na Drum Buie during the Scottish Sailex.

There is always a slideshow at the Annual Dinner, on this occasion arranged by Paul Ratcliffe, our membership Secretary, showing slides sent in at Paul’s request. A presentation was made to the most prolific supplier of those slides - again a joint effort by Kevin and Linda Martin.

May 18, 2014

Baie de la Seine Sailex

May 18, 2014/ TOG Webmaster

11th May 2014

Four TOG crew, led by Training Master Dave Bond delayed making their channel crossing due to strong winds and spent the night in Portsmouth :-/

12th May 2014

Weather conditions have improved and we are happy to report that all four boats departed Portsmouth at 0400 hrs Monday 12th May and arrived safely in Le Harve some 12 hours later :-)

13th May 2014

All boats safely arrive in Honfleur, although one was delayed due to problems with the main halyard.

Wednesday 14th May

Departed Honfleur and made our way to Ouistreham where we visited Pegasus Bar and museum.

Thursday 15th May

Tres Jolie, Skippered by Stewart and Soirée, Skippered by Dave made a 14 hour passage to Gosport in very light winds and bright sun. Vis a Vis, Skippered by Phil, delayed by halyard break stayed the day in Ouistreham and intended to cross last night.