May I invite all members to join me in giving a HUGE shoutout to all those who made the Dinghy Show happen for us this year. The stand looked brilliant - best I've ever seen in all the years attending and it wouldn't have been possible without a great deal of work from a great many people in the face of some adversity - not least of all, the weather. All the more poignant when, on Friday, the RYA suggested that the Show may be cancelled.
A few votes of thanks are poignant:
David and team for organising the stand through the event organisers.
Brian - for battling through severe weather and road closures on a nine hour mission from Cornwall to London to deliver Jenny's superb new boat for the stand. Many would not even have attempted the journey given the prevailing conditions.
All those who made the journey to London on Friday to set up the stand when the weather was decidedly iffy.
All those who manned the stand on both days. Special shout to Dave W (with Jenny in support) who took a busman's holiday on Sunday to deliver a pitch about our great Class to the punters.
All those who stayed late on Sunday to clear it all away.
All those who put so much into some great publicity and prize draws to publicise all that's good about what we are in this, our fortieth year.
Sorry not to name all the names but if I do, I'll inevitably miss someone special.
The amount of work in both pre-planning and execution on the days of the Show should not be under estimated but it was all done with no drama and great aplomb - but that's the nature of this great association. And there's also the follow up work in future weeks from contacts we made during the event.
Give them all a round of applause - it's much deserved!
