RHYC and Cruising Association Winter Programme – Dates for Events October 2026 to March 2027

Winter Talks

From October to March the Royal Harwich, in collaboration with the Cruising Association, present a series of talks on a wide variety of nautical topics for members and their guests. Most of those attending the talks also choose to enjoy a sociable chat over a meal. However if you wish to attend just for the talk, you are also welcome. 

 

Series Description

Saturday 14 November ‘What’s what in Marine electronics’ with Oliver Ballam

Oliver Ballam, of Seapower Marine, is well known to East Coast sailors both as a supplier/installer of cutting-edge technology and ‘no job too small’ troubleshooter.  He is also the co-author of Essential Boat Electrics, for those who prefer a hands-on approach.  This talk dealing with what goes wrong, how to prevent it and what to do when laying up is one you may come to regret not attending when you had the chance! If you wish to book click here

Thursday 26 November Shotley Ganges Mast Restoration with Jim Dine

Hear the story of the restoration by the Heritage Marine Foundation of this grade II listed structure which involved the replacement of all wood spars, shot-blasting the lower iron section and of course numerous climbing harnesses, helmets and cherry pickers. The mast is on the site of the Royal Navy shore establishment HMS Ganges.  It was formerly used for mast climbing practice when the site was a training centre for boy seamen. Every boy at the school had to climb part-way up the mast to qualify. On ceremonial occasions the mast would be manned by a team of boys standing on various parts with the one who stood at the very top known as a “button boy”. Ganges closed in 1976 and the mast fell into disuse. The mast was restored in 2022-2023 as part of the redevelopment of the Ganges for housing. If you wish to book click here

Thursday 15 October Peter Bruff with Peter Boyden

Peter Schuyler Bruff (1812-1900) is one of Ipswich’s best known historical inhabitants. From humble origins, Bruff the offspring of a master in the Royal Navy moved his family from London to Ipswich in 1844 on being appointed Engineer of the Eastern Union Railway. He was not the only member of the Institution of Civil Engineers based in Ipswich but gradually became the go-to person for local residents wishing to engage an engineer. As The Ipswich Society’s plaque in his memory on the town’s station states he ‘masterminded the building of the railway and first sewer works for the town’. Bruff was elected a member of the RHYC in 1855, Chairman of the Committee 1862, Rear-Commodore 1869, re-elected 1871, and stood down as Chairman of the Club Committee 1885, and as a Committee member in 1895. He presented a pair of starting guns to the Club in 1882, offered it a silver loving cup in 1896, and ended his service for the Club as an Honorary Member from 1898 to 1895. In addition to discussing his 35 years active work for the Club the talk will also illustrate how this work related to his other pro-bono activities in Ipswich; and his success as a networker among his contemporaries.

Saturday 10 October Stars in their Eyes with Julia Jones

Suffolk author, publisher, campaigner and sailor Julia Jones will share some of the extraordinary stories of the fearless women who set their sights on the sea in an all-male world, paving the way for the female sailing stars of today. Some are already well known — like Annie Brassey, Ann Davidson, Clare Francis, Tracy Edwards and Ellen McArthur. The names of others may only be remembered in yachting circles — Barbara Hughes, Marian Wylie, Peter Gerard Mary Blewitt, Nicolette Milnes Walker — and there are so many more who never sought for or achieved fame but were simply determined to follow their passion for the sea. Considering their sailing achievements in the context of their times is also a way of looking at the major changes to women’s lives which took place from the late c19th onwards. 

Talk Times

Saturdays: Doors open at 18:00, Dinner at 18:45, Talk at 20:00
Thursdays: Doors open at 11:00, Talk at 11:30, Lunch at 13:00