2021 and 2022 National Events
AGM 2021 to be held by Zoom video-conference
This last year, with a variety of COVD restrictions still in place, has proved challenging for many people and has impacted on the Club’s regional and national events. In particular, the difficult decision the committee had to make that, due to the financial risks, the AGM weekend which was to have been held at Dunston Hotel, Norwich, Norfolk would be cancelled and the AGM business meeting would be carried out entirely by a video-conference. It is hoped that we can return to Norfolk in 2023.
AGM 2022 arrangements
Plans are already in hand for next year’s AGM weekend at the:
Royal Beach Hotel, Portsmouth 21st – 23rd October 2022
A £500 non-refundable deposit has been paid to secure the dates and the necessary accommodation, including conference facilities.
Details about the organisation for the weekend will be discussed by the committee at its April 2022 meeting and will be published on the web-site and in the Spring edition of Sweeping Statements.
Southampton International Boat Show 10th – 19th September 2021
In August, I was contacted by a representative from British Marine, offering BOC a free exhibition berth at this year’s show. I provisionally accepted this offer and named the Broom 425 Quantum Leap, owned by John and myself, as a possible vessel. I also began to prepare a draft roster of helpers to cover each day of the event. When the Exhibitor COVID-19 Guidance was published, it became apparent that ensuring the requirements for: regular Lateral Flow Testing security checks; exhibition layout arrangements; cleaning and ventilation procedures, could not realistically be met by John and I, as the lead exhibitors. Therefore, with reluctance and in consultation with those members who had kindly volunteered to help, we decided to withdraw from this year’s show.
I have been assured by British Marine that BOC will remain on the exhibitors’ invitation list for the 2022 show, when I hope the Club will be able to participate.
It was with great sadness that I learned of the untimely death in May 2021 of John Goode, Nautical Adviser to the National Boat Shows.
For more than decade, John was a close friend and supporter of the BOC. It was thanks to his influence with British Marine, that each year, the Club was offered a free exhibition space at the London Boat Show and in 2019 and 2021, a berth at the Southampton International Boat Show.
John is greatly missed by all in the marine industry who knew him and the Club has lost a true friend who championed the cause of dedicated boaters, such as our members.
I have sent a letter of condolence on behalf of the BOC to John’s widow, Rossie.
Gill Oldham, National Events Co-ordinator