From the NSOA AGM
Royal Torbay Yacht Club.
June 24th 2025
Agenda item 4. Chairman’s report
Greetings
This is my final report as Chairman and I need to start it by wholeheartedly thanking those in the class, both on the committee and elsewhere, who have helped me during my time in office. If there’s a candidate amongst them for a special mention it has to be Marian, for the relentless task she continues to perform on our behalf. Let me also flag up Will Davies for his prudent stewardship of the NSOA finances and Chris Jordan for his work as membership secretary.
The whole committee has been superb and I’m sorry to see Andrew Knatchbull and Dan Henderson stepping down. Dan, in particular I want to thank you for your contribution to several projects but especially for making the stand at the RYA Dinghy Show happen for the past few years.
It’s appropriate to remember some of the progress we have made:
The updated constitution was long overdue. Not the sexiest subject by any measure but this work has created a more modern and more appropriate framework for the governance of the class.
The new NSOA website is a vast improvement as a place of reference for existing members and equally important for its information and outreach to potential Squibbers. Again, huge thanks to those who contributed to this important project.
We should never overlook the Squib’s role as a brilliant club-sailing boat in all the fleets that surround these islands. It’s relatively easy for the NSOA to play a significant role with the open events, not so easy to support the equally important activity at club level. The support we have so far given to training in the club fleets has been well-received and appears to be bearing fruit. I would mention Holyhead and Dartmouth in particular, where the fleets have revived considerably in the past 12 months, driven as usual by the enthusiasm of individuals within the fleet. Another project just coming online is our investment in a small ‘contingency‘ stock of replacement masts to sidestep, when possible, the often extensive and potentially distressing lead time for new spars.
As you all know, just over 18 months ago we lost our Class builder. No surprise that addressing this situation has been a major project for your committee. I’m pleased to say that this is all now well in hand and a comprehensive report follows shortly on the agenda. My thanks to everyone who has invested their time and wisdom.
Looking to the future it’s reassuring to know that the NSOA’s finances are in good health so there’s opportunity to make some real investments on behalf of the whole membership, some of which I’ve already mentioned. I, personally would like to see every Squib owner as a member of the NSOA. Not for the cash, but for the fact that every boat would again have a say in the affairs of the Class.
Building a successful class involves way more than having a great boat to race. It’s the people and it’s the community that builds around it. We have a brilliant class and it’s its been an honour and a privilege to be involved as your chairman.
Thank you
Dick Batt
Squib 11