Officers’ Reports in respect of 2021 for the 2022 AGM

TOA accounts for the year ended 31/12/21.

You can open or download the TOA accounts for the year ended 31/12/21 here

Treasurer

The last few years have seen an increase in new memberships from an average of 26 to 33 in 2020 and 37 in 2021 and a higher number of members overall. Members joining after 1 October do not pay a subscription in the following year and in recent times around 25% of new members have joined in that period. This can distort the overall subscription income in any one year and in part explains the apparent increase in subscriptions received in 2021. It remains to be seen whether the number of new members can be repeated in 2023 but we are on track to do so. We already have 13 new members this year as at the end of March.

As members resign or unfortunately pass away and new members join the membership numbers perpetually fluctuate. At year end there were 283 recorded members after 4 members resigned in the year and one unfortunately died. We have since had 7 further resignations and sadly 2 more deaths as well as 12 memberships lapsing as of 31 March.

2021 was a very unusual year for the TOA financially, when compared with previous years, with an inflated trading surplus of just over £1635. This was caused by:- 1. an increase in the number of subscriptions received amounting to just over £250 (a small part part of which reflects overpayments however), 2. the proceeds of the sale of Tideway spare parts by Jolyon Pope, which contributed a magnificent £430 (perhaps unlikely to be repeated), and reductions in expenditure largely caused by the fact there was no regular Dinghy Show contribution of £500 (another extraordinary item), because neither the TOA nor the builders attended in 2021, and the low cost of the website as part was paid in 2020 and there were no maintenance costs ( but certain to be higher in 2022). Also there were no trademark renewal fees compared with last year.

If one removes these extraordinary items from that surplus the net figure is closer to £650 which is a little above the average surplus for each of the last 5 years.

The Challenge resulted in our expending £280 in race fees, which were partly offset by entry fees of £140, and that forms part of the sundry income together with the sales proceeds of parts. The need to hire in toilets at Cobnor resulted in an unrecovered cost of £24 (included in meeting expenses). Insurance costs increased by £50 owing to inflation. We were however able to get the insurers to provide the TOA with cover for up to 285 members instead of 255 at no additional cost although normally that would lead to a higher premium. The cost of cyber cover remained the same as in 2020.

The £17.50 interest received from Nationwide in fact mostly covers the last 11 months of 2020 as it is paid on 31st of March of each year. It includes compensation for lost interest when our monies were misplaced by Nationwide during the transfer from the branch account to the present 45 day notice commercial account.  Members will note that we only showed £1.29 as received last year.

At the last AGM it was decided that that the TOA would be attending the Dinghy Show in 2022 and the prepayment for the stand of nearly £500 appears at the top of the balance sheet. Once Tideway Dinghies decided not to exhibit we had a members only stand as opposed to sharing with the builder so we have incurred additional expenses of £537 represented by hire of back panels for the stand, electrics, fliers and banners. The banners are re-useable but £457 of this expenditure is not and brings the total annual cost of the Show moving forward to over £950 based on 2022 costings.

Dean Sephton is to be congratulated on producing such a high quality newsletter and keeping costs down for so long, particularly following the introduction of colour throughout without cost increases. Nevertheless we are now aware of potential substantial increases in the cost. The New Year edition cost almost 25% more than the average edition in 2021 and in future there could well be further increases. Postage costs are also increasing.

Our cash at bank and reserves at year end totalled £10,752 plus a good stock of burgees.

It is probable that there will be more price increases in the near future. On current forecasts I believe that the TOA will suffer a small trading deficit in 2022 but given our reserves at the end of 2021 I recommended and the Committee have decided to maintain the subscription at £12 and £20 for overseas members for yet another year. Subscriptions were last increased in 2015 and will be kept under careful review.

This is my last year as Treasurer and I am pleased to be able to hand over the reins to my successor with the TOA in robust financial health ready to meet the challenges of the future.

Bruce Bowler
TOA Hon Treasurer

Secretary

2021 was a good year for Tideway meetings, Jennie and I attended them all, and we also took the boat over to West Cork for a fortnight in August. 2022 promises to be even better, with Hickling Broad, Falmouth, Milford Haven, Chichester Harbour, Ullswater, Poole and River Crouch all scheduled. Not only are these great sailing venues, but they also provide the opportunity to meet other Tideway owners and to join group barbecues, meals out and the (very) occasional visit to a pub. Some members camp, others B&B and this year, self-catered accommodation is also an option at some venues. Do come to at least one meeting if you can.

In February 2022 we exhibited at the RYA Dinghy Show at Farnborough, see report in the 2022 Spring Newsletter. This virtually turned into a midwinter Tideway meeting, with volunteers from TOA and Bosham Sailing Club getting together to man the stand. It was great fun, and we met many Tideway owners from far and wide, as well as a considerable number of people interested in buying a Tideway.

We still have a Tideway mast and a rudder to sell to anyone looking for spare parts. All the other parts salvaged have been sold with all proceeds going to TOA. If anyone has spare spars, oars, or any other Tideway parts that are surplus to requirements, do consider gifting them to the TOA, I can arrange collection and storage.

The Tideway 2022 WhatsApp group continues to be active, with posts most days on all manner of subjects nautical. Big discussion at present on the pros and cons of electric outboards. The group has 15 participants at present and welcomes new members.

Jolyon Pope
TOA Secretary

Newsletter

Despite a continued reduction in sailing activities in 2021 by many I am pleased that we managed to produce three 36 page newsletters during the last 12 months and a big thank you to all those members who contributed a letter,  article or photographs.  This was also despite less pages being required for Tideway adverts, reflecting the ongoing  popularity of the Tideway and perhaps of Tideways as “lockdown” restoration projects.  There have been relatively few cruising articles to be considered for the Explorer Trophy recently so don’t forget to consider a report even if it’s just of an interesting day trip in your Tideway.  Technical tips and ideas are also always particularly welcome.

Dean Sephton
TOA Newsletter Editor

Meeting Co-ordinator

Looking back in my laptop folder for TOA 2021, I see a number of files / notes relating to Covid, and recall we had to cancel the 1st meeting at Hickling Broad Sailing Club in 2021 due to restrictions. Fortunately we had Coniston planned shortly after, and some backup meetings, Windermere had been a backup weekend for Coniston, and some members attended the weekend at the end of the season.

Many thanks to all those who assist in our meeting planning, and specifically the meeting organisers. For 2022 we have endeavoured as usual to provide something for everyone to enjoy messing about in boats, with for example variations to encourage friends and family to attend.

The new camping venue at Falmouth / Mylor proved so popular, we are returning again, we have moved Cobnor to the Summer holiday period, and I’m looking forward to the great tides to take us up the Crouch.

Please do book early for meetings, it gives organisers time for final planning, and ofcourse most camp sites are commercial these days.

We are obliged to encourage meeting attendees to view the TOA safety management and risk assessment document, available on the website and you will see a copy in some meeting information emails.

As TOA does not routinely donate to charities or environmental organisations and we thoroughly enjoy the wonderful venues we attend, we are including a local environmental organisation in meeting notes. Should members wish to make a small voluntary donation, perhaps something equivalent to a couple of pints of beer per crewmember.

For 2023, we are checking a North Devon venue, NDYC on the river Taw & Torridge.

Ross Molay
TOA  Meetings Coordinator

Technical Advisor

It’s been a fairly quiet year on the Technical Enquiries front. 14 in all to date. Items ranging from major shipwright work required to TW12 bottom planking to a leaky centre plate bolt hole and various rigging queries as usual, including one from an owner with a Lugsail rigged TW12. The usual request to enquirers still applies that it would be good to hear from you after the event to know how helpful or not the advice has been.

Fair winds and good sailing to all.

Doug Nicholls
TOA Technical Advisor

Boat Registrar

During the peak Covid time we still had many Tideways being sold and purchased. Some were straight forward transactions with just a change of owner and address.

It got more complicated when for various reasons the buyer did not disclose their details. This may be because nobody asked them for this information or it could be that they did not want to disclose it under the GDPR rules. Sometimes the information is lost due to the complexity of selling via brokers or part of an estate.

Sometimes it becomes an interesting detective job to track down the TW sail number especially if this information has been unknown for some years.

However there is an aid in the register where we have been able to make use of the works job number (JN) that is often engraved on the transom. This number has been put on most of the Walker built boats but not all and is used for all Walker products not just 12 ft dinghies. We do not have a complete list of these numbers but do have about 226 out of 562 registered boats. This list includes the boats made under EU regulations where a CE number is used from 1998.This sail number list got further complicated when Tepco issued their own series of sail numbers but we have renumbered most of the Tepco issued numbers and the owners concerned have renumbered where required.

An interesting exercise has recently developed where a Tideway was given to a member but did not have any identification marks, no sail number or boat name. However it does have a works job number engraved in the transom 72 3314. The 72 represents the year of build. The 3314 is the JN usually issued in sequence.

Now in our register we have a JN 3306 for TW288. The next JN recorded is 3362 for TW293, so we have 6 boats where one could be JN 3314. By looking at our detail records of these 6 boats we can home in on a possible sail number. We are doing this.

If we cannot isolate this with reasonable accuracy we have a system where we can issue an ‘0’ series number. As now we have issued 57 of these.

Peter Barnett
TOA Boat Registrar

Archives

Well it’s been another good year for the Archives. Our former Membership Secretary Pat Tompson gifted the Archives with several older copies of TOA magazines from the 1970’s and a copy of what I now think must have been the first magazine from 1966 which we only had a as a scanned electronic copy. At this point I hope, like a good pantomime audience, someone shouts ‘Oh no it isn’t’ and produces an earlier one from our Association whose formation date was 1963. We have also had the other odd magazines sent in. And following emails with current and former owners of Tideways I have filled in a few gaps with information for the Archive records.

 The Archives has a section for Walker 10’s and 14’s and their subsequent builders and although strictly speaking nothing to do with the TOA it is interesting to record their details and have them sailing at our meetings.

 I am progressing slowly and surely with going through published TOA magazines and other documents and creating a growing spreadsheet. I do this for the future use of the Archives and Archivists who follow on from me tracing our history and boats. Members must be aware under the new data regulations this data (which is already in the public domain) must be handled carefully. However I have helped a new member with trying to choose a new ‘unused’ name for their boat, tracing the history of a few boats for other members, whilst filling in a few blanks in the spreadsheet along the way and helping a new member with a probable date of manufacture of their boat.

 So here is my usual plea, we still need any TOA magazines from the 1960’s and 1970’s and any other written articles, advertising or information on any 10’, 12’ or 14’ Walker or subsequent Builders boats. And especially on the Walker built Pedalo! (We have a photo and it existed).

 Ian Prior
TOA Archivist

Chairman

Having been unable to hold an in-person AGM since 2019, it is a delight to welcome you to this meeting, where we review what the Association has been up to in the last year, and have an opportunity to discuss any concerns, as well as carrying out the formal business of the AGM. As in previous years, reports have been available on the website, so please do read them if you have not already.

Whilst still taking appropriate precautions, and in compliance with the Covid rules as they began to be relaxed, we were able to enjoy a “normal” programme of meetings, although the relaxations came too late for our first meeting to be held. The good variety of meetings were well attended and there was some good sailing and, within the restrictions, socialising. All that was missing was the traditional Fleet Supper, but hopefully that will return in some form or other. Many thanks are due to Ross and to all members who helped organise and run the meetings, and to all who attended and made them so enjoyable and successful.

It is very gratifying that despite the pandemic and a period of enforced inactivity, membership numbers have held up, and under Bruce’s good care, our finances continue to be healthy. Having served as Treasurer since 2015, Bruce is standing down at this AGM. We owe him a very big thank you for looking after our finances so well over the last seven years. Later in the meeting I will be proposing Martin Mitchell, who has agreed to stand for election as our new Treasurer.

The Association, and all of us, benefit greatly from having a vibrant website, as well as a high-quality Newsletter. Many thanks are due to Dean for all the work he does looking after both the website, with assistance from Danny, and editing the Newsletter. And thanks to all of you who submit articles for the Newsletter, which make it such a good and informative read. Much of the activity on the website relates to boats for sale and new membership enquiries. After several years looking after the boats for sale register, Danny has handed this responsibility to Richard Denby. We owe Danny a big thank you for all the work he has done, with great dedication and always a friendly and helpful approach, dealing with both members and non-members. We must also thank Jolyon for all his work in the combined roll of Secretary and Membership Secretary, dealing with membership enquiries and a host of other questions.

Outside the Committee, Peter, maintaining the boat register, Doug, dealing with your technical questions, and Ian, maintaining the TOA archives, continue to do a lot of work on our behalf. I would like to thank them, and all the Committee for all their support and hard work throughout the year.

Having renewed the Tideway and sail insignia trademarks as reported previously, during the year the licences with our two boatbuilders were renewed. The market for new Tideways continues to be very difficult, but we are doing our best to support them and promote the class. This included taking a stand at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show in February. Tideways always generate interest and conversation, but turning that into sale orders has always been a challenge.

As well as a new Treasurer, I will be proposing that Anne Wroe be elected to join the Committee. The other members and advisers have all indicated that they are willing to continue, and, subject to their election, I very much look forward to welcoming Martin and Anne and to working with the new Committee. I also very much look forward to the sailing season which has now started.  Sadly, this year I will not be attending as many meetings as I would like due to a number of dates clashing, but I look forward to meeting new members and old friends at some point during the Summer.

It only remains for me to thank you all for your support of our fine Association.

Arthur Davey
TOA Chairman

Minutes of the combined 2020 and 2021 TOA AGM

Click AGM 2021 minutes to open up the minutes (pdf document).

Officers’ Reports in respect of 2020 for the 2021 AGM

Treasurer

Membership numbers slightly increased during 2020 with 29 new members joining, the same is in 2019. At year end there were 268 members. This shows the TOA is in good place despite the effect of the pandemic.

Income and turnover also remained very similar to last year. I would mention that the building society interest only shows the interest to 12 March 2020 because the account had to be closed and moved from a branch to a commercial online basis and the latter only pays interest on an annual basis so this will not show until 2021. In fact there was further accumulated interest of £14.17 to the year end. Therefore interest has actually increased since last year.

Expenditure also increased however, largely due to postage and the website costs. The website was migrated to a new server and upgraded at a one off cost of £180 but hosting and domain name renewal cost £82.82 and increased security another £78.37. In 2020 we also renewed the “TW” trademark but there are no further trademark renewals for another 9 years.

We acquired a new stock of burgees for the first time in seven years and this is shown on the balance sheet as burgees in stock as they are an asset. The cost only appears in the annual expenditure account as we sell the burgees and is proportionate to the number sold in each year. At year end we had 52 burgees in stock. Taking that into account ,our cash at bank and reserves the TOA remains in a healthy position.

We recorded a small surplus for the year and can expect reductions in or expenditure during 2021 as we are not contributing to the Dinghy Show stand in 2021 since it was purely a virtual experience. There will  also be trademark and hopefully website savings.

It was therefore decided to maintain subscriptions at the current level for yet another year.

One potential item of expenditure for the future relates to the cost of running the Challenge. In the past this has largely been run at a low cost to the TOA and has even led to it providing some income from entrance fees. Nowadays we have to find a responsible body to organise and run it because the TOA cannot provide safety facilities and there are insurance implications. It is increasingly difficult to find sailing clubs willing to put on the Challenge races especially for a small numbers of entrants. Sailing Centres are becoming much more commercial and the TOA were quoted £350 last year based on ten participants with additional costs for more participants. The Challenge has traditionally been a core element of the TOA activities so it would appear likely that the TOA will need to subsidise the Challenge on some occasions in the future.

Bruce Bowler, Hon Treasurer

Secretary

Having joined the Tideway 2021 WhatsApp group at the outset, I can vouch for the fact that it really does maintain a sense of good fellowship between those who subscribe. Virtually daily posts on all manner of subjects have enlivened a potentially dull winter, resulting from the autumnal and vernal Covid lockdowns. We would welcome other TOA members to join this WhatsApp group, just contact denbyr@me.co  with your mobile phone number.

Jennie and I have rescued some fully functional parts from another sadly defunct wooden Tideway (12), so we have a stock of masts, rigs, oars, sails and a rudder for sale. Also, two Seagull outboards which are renovation projects for anyone interested in restoring these “classic” outboards. Details on the website under boats for sale, open to offers. All sale proceeds to the TOA.

After the coldest April since 1922, we have the prospect of some great sailing venues for 2021 TOA meetings – Coniston, Falmouth, Cobnor, Barton Broad, Waldringfield, Windermere and Poole. See the TOA website for dates. If you have never attended a TOA meeting before, now is your chance in this summer of staycations.

Jolyon Pope

 Newsletter/Website

As always my thanks to those who have contributed to the Newsletter over the past 12 months, I had wondered whether we would get enough material to fill the newsletter but the last 3 editions have all contained a very respectable 36 pages despite the reduction in sailing activities.

A while ago items for the “letters” pages seemed to dry up so it has been good to get a number of short pieces and photos alongside longer articles, please keep them coming. I would also welcome volunteers for the Tideway sailor series (see page 12 of the Spring 2021 newsletter for an example).

The last couple of issues have each contained an article not directly related to Tideways and I hope you have enjoyed something a bit different.  Whilst priority naturally goes to Tideway specific articles I am always pleased to consider other sailing related items so if you have an idea for an article don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Danny and myself have continued to maintain the website and Danny the boats for sale.  The boats for sale page on the TOA website has now had over 20,000 hits.  As reported in the Spring newsletter we have given the website an update adding additional information on the builders, a description of the Tideway 10 and 14 and clearer information on how to join the TOA.  Probably as a result of Covid there have been less boats for sale than usual but those that are advertised have  generally been selling well.  We continue to offer free adverts to enable members to offer boats for sale.  We would ask members to limit adverts to 100 words including contact details which should be ample to allow for a full description of your boat.  To help sell your boat to potential buyers we can add a link on the website to any photos you have uploaded to the internet eg using flickr, google photos or onedrive.

Dean Sephton and Danny Lindsey

Meetings Coordinator

Our TOA meetings for 2020 and 2021 were and continue to be affected by Covid 19, with meetings fitting in with Government, RYA and venue restrictions. For the limited meetings conducted, we did put in place a number of precautions, which evolved within guidelines. Thankfully, we are not aware of any Covid cross group infections occurring from TOA meetings. Looking ahead to 2021, a range of precautions are likely to remain, so please do consider meeting briefing material and venue information.

As ever, bringing a meeting schedule together is a team effort, supported by the committee, meeting organisers and general feedback from members with ideas for venues etc.

I’m sure fellow members are keen to get out and about on the water and catch up with friends at meetings. The committee, meeting organisers and I endeavoured to fit in as many meetings as practical for 2021, to provide members with a range of sailing opportunities. We also included second Broads and Lakes meetings, as back-up dates to Hickling and Coniston.

As we go to press, the Hickling meetings has been cancelled, as the Covid road map precluded communal campsite facilities and indicated no unnecessary travel. The TOA website will be updated if meetings need to be cancelled or moved. Road map increments, such as the 12th of April, will give us advance indication of any need to amend our schedule.

Some of us mused on the relatively high cost of some venues, as more are commercialised and become more focused on maximising occupancy, income, etc. For single crew attending meetings, with a tent, car, trailer and boat this can result in notable costs at some locations. Sadly, the days of pitching up in a field for a few quid, in a prime waterside location, reasonable access and launch, with plausible facilities, are slipping away, as such venues have obvious mass market / commercial appeal. This does result in a dichotomy, some less commercial locations and sailing clubs, and during low season venues with certain price structures, are relatively low priced, whilst for other meetings, at prime commercial venues and closer to peak demand / holidays, are relatively higher cost. We endeavour to include consideration of costs, specifically for single handers, within a varied schedule for each year.

We recently published an inclusivity policy on the website, I’d been mussing on this for a while, as the average profile of TOA membership is narrow. After reading the brief RYA guidance on the topic, this highlighted how daunting it could be to a wide range of society to consider joining sailing clubs such as the TOA.

For those that did venture out in 2020, a range of enjoyable gatherings often benefitted from pleasant weather. Sadly, the gang who visited Ullswater got a bit wet at times, but from the reports, they appeared to have a great time. Down South, member bubbles enjoyed bobbing about in the Solent etc. The phrase ‘bubble’ shall stay with me, but is one I look forward to not having to use in planning TOA meetings as we move to 2022.

Any feedback and suggestions for future venues, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Have a great 2021 messing about in boats.

Ross Molay

Technical Advisor

I have received thirty five enquiries over the past year across a range of topics. Seven people have contacted me two or more times.

Enquiries as before ranged from dimensions for masts and spars, lengths and types of line for running rigging, designs for boat covers and boom tents and methods of securing them. GRP boat owners enquire about gel coat repairs and paint colours and wooden boat owners have concerns about leaks especially around the centre board case.

At some stage I will go through all the enquiries I have received over the last three years and update the web site Technical Tips and FAQ section.

Often I get a response to my advice but on occasion I hear nothing more.  It would be useful to get some feedback from enquirers, be it positive or negative, as that helps to build up the knowledge base which could be of benefit to us all.

Doug Nicholls, TOA Technical Advisor

Boat Registrar

Other than the discussion on Class Rules and changes and Digitisation of the Archives I would like to point out that amongst the rules is a requirement to have the sail number marked on or near the centre thwart. Not only is this a Tideway requirement but most insurance policies require this. Note that since about year 2000 the boat may have a CE number on the transom that in effect is a secure serial number of the hull but does not record the sail number. This may be adequate for most insurance policies.  Insurance companies are tightening up on care instructions so check if your marking is still there, or if it ever was.

Peter Barnett, TOA Boat Registrar

Archivist

We have received a few gems this last 12 months but are still searching for anything and I mean anything TOA related. We have now in our records the earliest copy of a TOA magazine that we know about from 1966 which tells us a little of our early history such as its formation, some original members, their boat numbers and names but we need more please.

I am continuing to compile a spreadsheet based on all the magazines and other paperwork I have to try and follow our individual boats histories. Many I know nothing about as their owners have kept a low profile. If you wish to send me any details about your Tideway, such as the date it was made and the date you bought it, GRP or Wood (I’m getting quite good telling this by the boats number), standard or super, name and/or name change (more dates the better), previous owners, Challenge winner etc I will put the details into the spreadsheet. The spreadsheet cannot be published wholesale due to the Data Privacy Laws but I can help trace a boats history if we get asked, which has happened twice this year.

Ian Prior

Chairman

Looking back at what I wrote for my report a year ago, I realise that there is not a great deal more to be said now. Sadly, the Covid pandemic has meant a long period of no, or limited, activity, but with our vibrant website and Newsletters to keep us in touch with all Tideway matters, membership numbers remain strong, and the TOA is in good heart.

Members will not be surprised that we missed, or rather deferred, the 2020 AGM. Having cancelled the meeting last May, we hoped that one of the full meetings later in the Summer would go ahead and be a suitable venue for an AGM, but that was not to be. So this year, we are adopting what many clubs and associations have been forced to do, and are holding the AGM on-line – in fact two AGMs back to back. It will be interesting to see how this format works. As in the last few years, reports are being put on the website, and this year it is particularly important that you read them, as the on-line format is not ideal for delivering verbal reports.

Despite the lack of sailing meetings, your Committee has not been idle, and a number of topics have been discussed. There have been a few wording changes to the Class Rules (primarily Rule B5 to remove any ambiguity as to in-class rigging). As a matter of best practice, we have adopted a policy on Diversity and Inclusion, which you will find on the website. The future of the Challenge Race has also been considered, as it no longer attracts the numbers that used to make it a highpoint of the TOA year. This will be an ongoing topic, and your views will be welcomed.

Ross has done a great job on your behalf to put in place Covid-19 compliant procedures which enabled the few “unofficial meetings” in 2020 to take place, and which will set the pattern for the planned meetings in 2021 that we have realistic hopes of going ahead if the Government sticks to its roadmap out of lockdown. Can I also draw your attention to, and remind you to become familiar with, the Safety Management Policy and Risk Assessment, which is on the website. Once again, a varied programme of sailing meetings is there for you to enjoy. A big thank you to Ross and all the meeting organisers.

Thank you too to Bruce. Under his continuing good care, our finances are robust and we are well placed to meet expected future costs.

The TOA website has been refreshed during the year, and continues to be a main point of contact for prospective new members and other enquiries, and for boats for sale.  A big thank you to Danny and Dean for looking after the website so well. Thank you to Jolyon for dealing with many of the enquiries, especially from prospective members. When we first launched the website in its present form, there was concern that the Newsletter would become less important and even fade away. Nothing could be further from the truth. Under Dean’s editorship, the Newsletter is, in my view, a very high quality and impressive publication. Thank you Dean.

Outside the Committee there is a lot or work being done by Peter, maintaining the boat register; by Doug, dealing with your technical questions; and by Ian, maintaining the TOA archives. I would like to thank them, and all the Committee for all their support and hard work throughout the year.

Little has changed for our boat builders, who continue to have a very difficult time, although I am pleased to note that Tideway Dinghies has seen early signs of interest in new boats returning. Hopefully that will turn into orders.  As I reported last year, the market for new boats has always been small, and any interest from the 2020 Dinghy Show (and there was some) was snuffed out by lockdown. The 2021 “Virtual” Dinghy Show was held on-line, and there was no TOA/Tideway stand, so it is up to all of us to show off our Tideways and publicise the class at every opportunity.

We have had to cancel the first, but let us hope that the remaining planned sailing meetings in 2021, including the Challenge, can go ahead, and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible during the year. In the meantime, keep safe.

Arthur Davey