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March 18th

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A talk by Ian Worley:

"Racing through the Southern Ocean"

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In October 1976, Ian saw an advert in the Times:

“Wanted – crew to help race Great Britain II in the 1977/78 Whitbread Round the World Race”. 

 

He responded immediately, knowing that this was the adventure that he craved.  Already a seasoned ocean sailor and yacht race skipper, he was accepted and appointed as one of the three Watch Leaders on board.  

 

Later, in the depths of the Southern Ocean, after he took over as temporary skipper, following a nasty accident, sail handling on deck during a storm, which injured the skipper, and seriously injured another crew member, he was promoted to 1st Mate. 

 

Great Britain II completed her circumnavigation, via the notorious Cape Horn, often racing at breakneck speeds of up to 35 knots, often amongst icebergs and often in the dark.  She was damaged several times, once when knocked on her side in a ferocious storm and later, whilst passing the Falkland Islands, struck by lightning.  There were several other critical moments on board.

 

Join him in this 45 minute illustrated talk as he recounts this thrilling adventure of a journey covering 26,000 nautical miles of perilous seas and living off mouldy bread.

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April 15th

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A talk by Andy Richardson

Britain's V Bombers - The Ultimate Peacekeepers

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Andy has been engaged in Aviation throughout his adult life. Starting in 1960 with an 18-year flying career in The Royal Air Force which included crewing the nuclear-armed Avro Vulcan during the Cold War.

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​On retiring from the RAF he worked on Business Development for British Aerospace. He was later recruited by Boeing, and became their Business Development director for military aircraft.

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​He was elected a Member of The Royal Institute of Navigation in 1980, a Fellow of The Royal Aeronautical Society in 2010, a Member of the American Helicopter Society in 2012 and an Upper Freeman of The Honourable Company of Air Pilots in 2013.