Alleyn Club Yearbook 114th Issue

CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

Sailing Commodore’s Report 2018 Pete Leggett (68–76) Commodore Alleynian Sailing Society If ever there was a good time to go sailing in the UK, the summer of 2018 was it. The soaring temperatures reminded us all why we like boats, and the Alleynian Sailing Society was there to offer boys and OAs plenty of time on the water. The society’s calendar started with the club’s AGM and an excellent lunch at the College attended by members from far and wide. We were entertained by a fine speech given by the President of the Alleyn Club, Professor Andrew Tomkins OBE, who, we believe, may have been the first OA to sail across Lake Chad in Africa. Awards were then presented to

Anthony Lindley (92–00), who received the Archie Shaw Cup, and Peter Fosdike (92–01), who won the David Emms Plate. July is a busy month on the Solent. It kicks off with the Round the Island Race – a major event in everyone’s yachting calendar – where 1200 boats set out to circumnavigate the Isle of Wight. Many ASS members have competed before, but this was the first time that the society had entered a boat. The crew was made up of Anthony Frankford (62–69), Pete Leggett, Peter Fosdike, Harry Tinker (08–11), Theo Michell (86–91), Matt Keel, Ian Yates (68–76) and Simon Brown (69–76). The Race, the 87th edition, was later described as one of the most challenging on record. The serious lack of wind meant that we topped up our suntans rather than the trophy cabinet, but it was a beautiful day on the water.

Two weeks later, we reconvened in the Hamble for the ASS Boys’ Sail Training Week. This incredibly popular event introduces sailing to 23 pupils from the College. Six boats, all skippered by OAs, tour the Central and Western Solent, with overnight stops at the best marinas in the area. It has to be said that this year we embraced the heatwave and offered something close to a Mediterranean boating experience. Mornings were spent swimming and generally messing about in boats before the wind finally arrived in the afternoon. The end of rally dinner at the Island Sailing Club was well attended, with guests including Alleyn Club Presidents past and present, Brigadier Johnny Walker and Andrew Tomkins. The Tony Pendry Cup was awarded to William Holmes as the outstanding sailor of the week.

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