Tops’l Annual Dinner and awards: a celebration of sailing and achievement

The Tops’l Annual Dinner/Dance once again took place at the RNLI Hotel in Poole, providing members with the perfect opportunity to socialise, reflect on the year, and explore this delightful area without the worry of tides or weather.

This year, the RNLI organised tours of their training and engineering facilities, as well as their operational lifeboat station at Poole Quay. These tours were a valuable addition to the event, giving members the chance to speak with RNLI staff and ensure our boats and our skills are up to the latest safety standards, and that we understand the capabilities and limitations of the rescue craft.

The dining area, breakout bar, and hotel facilities proved to be an excellent setting for the event, which was timed to perfection. The Tops’l slideshow, compiled by Dave Burns, entertained members with a collection of unexpected photos from throughout the year. Meanwhile, the annual Club Review, produced by Steve Leniston, reflected on Tops’l’s 45th anniversary. He highlighted the Club’s history and the contributions of its founding members, particularly Howard and the early group of pilots. Their efforts helped establish the yacht-sharing model that the Club benefits from today.

A fond farewell was also given to Derek and Andrea White, long-standing Club members who have now moved to Cheshire to be closer to their family. They will be greatly missed, and the Club wishes them the very best.

The social events have been well attended in 2024 starting with the Alternative Christmas Dinner in Swanwick, the Ship Inn at Langstone for the Pub Night, taking us through to the start of the Summer with the AGM at the Port House.

A year of cruises and looking ahead to 2025

Tops’l enjoyed two main cruises in 2024:

• Carina returned from a successful trip to the West Country.
• Jocalia is currently in Troon for the winter, where she is enjoying some well-earned shore leave before the next leg of her journey in 2025.

During the event, Mike Lord presented plans for Jocalia’s 2025 cruise, introducing a large planning calendar to help skippers and potential crew register their interest in specific areas. By tailoring the schedule to demand, the Club aims to minimise positioning trips, particularly in the Western Isles, where long-distance crew changes can be a logistical challenge. Throughout the evening, Mike worked hard to coordinate people, cruise legs, and time slots, with the initial results now being compiled into a formal plan for board approval.

Tops’l awards 2024

Each year, Tops’l recognises members who have made significant contributions to the Club, whether through sailing, maintenance, or Club operations. The awards ceremony was officiated by Ian D’Arcy Bean, with Steve Leniston acting as Master of Ceremonies.

Tops’l Virtual Bucket

This award is presented to the member who has spent the most time sailing in their first full year of membership. Antony Parson took the honour this year, having completed 31 days of sailing, including several weeks as crew on Jocalia’s Scottish cruise.

Peter Parker Award

Presented to Orla Cronin and Mike Lord for their comprehensive presentation of the Scottish Cruise. Their careful planning ensured smooth crew transitions, allowing members to enjoy a stress-free, memorable sailing experience.

Mike demonstrated the gyroscopic effect of the spinning globe not forgetting that the spin axis should be tilted by about 23.5o to the ecliptic – which is why we enjoy sailing in Scotland in the Summer!

Dave Barr Award

This trophy is given to the member who has made the greatest contribution to boat maintenance. Andrew Riley was the worthy recipient, having driven to Scotland with a full set of test equipment, tools, and spares. His fast and accurate diagnosis of a service battery system issue, combined with his meticulous repairs and updates to onboard documentation, has left the boats in excellent condition for next season.

The Clapper’s Plate

This engraved silver platter is awarded for the most meritorious voyage of the year. Jeff Tregenza, Richard Bradford, Tim Langdale, Phil Hargreaves, and Peter Greinke received the award for successfully delivering Jocalia to Cork on schedule, despite facing very difficult weather conditions.

Founder’s Flask

A Georg Jensen silver-plated wine cooler, accompanied by a suitable bottle of wine, is awarded each year to the member who has made the greatest contribution to the Club. This year’s recipient was Sue Tickner, in recognition of her outstanding organisation of the Dinner/Dance since 2018. She also received a stunning bouquet of flowers, arranged by Yasmin Design of Lymington, as a thank-you from the directors and members of Tops’l.

Sue has now stepped down from event planning, and the Club is currently seeking input from members regarding the format of future annual gatherings.

Looking ahead

With another fantastic year behind us, Tops’l is preparing for an exciting 2025 sailing season. Whether you’re interested in taking part in the Club’s long-distance cruises, exploring new sailing destinations, or joining the lively social events, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

As discussions continue about the future format of the annual gathering, members are encouraged to share their thoughts with the Club’s directors. What kind of event would you like to see? Would a new location or style better suit the Club’s evolving membership? Your input will help shape future celebrations. Get in touch to share your thoughts.

Stay tuned for updates on the 2025 cruise schedule and upcoming Club events!