The days are finally getting longer and our thoughts are starting to turn to the coming sailing and social seasons.  We’ve already published the sailing programme so now it’s time to mark your diaries for this year’s key BOD social events.

First up is the BOD Dinner, which will take place at the Colne Yacht Club on Saturday 25th April.  This event truly kicks off the BOD sailing season and last year’s dinner at BSC was a resounding success with a great turnout. Mark Wilby and the CYC team are determined to present an equally fantastic evening this year and are busy agreeing menus and entertainment as I type (rumours abound that one Eddie Howson, BOD crew of this parish, may reveal a skill none of us could have possibly imagined).  Full details of the event and how to book tickets will follow shortly, but please mark this date in your diary and start thinking about who to invite to join your table and what to wear now.

In the spring/early summer we will have launching events for both Adrian and Sue Bouckley’s C50 Eider and Mark Wilby and Phil Holding’s C75 The Mike (dates for these will be confirmed in due course).

By popular demand Mark and Marianne White’s BOD Summer BBQ makes a welcome return and the date of this will also be confirmed shortly.

The Pyefleet Week BOD German Night will this year take place on Monday 3rd August. Dirndls and Lederhosen will be the order of the day and don’t forget to bring your best drinking boots and singing voices (yes Katie Holland this means you).

The ever popular Final Fling Lunch will follow the Final Fling Race on Sunday 11th October at the Colne Yacht Club.

And last but by no means least, we will end the season with a spectacular BOD Halloween/Curry Party at the Colne Yacht Club on Saturday 31st October.  Can Charlie Lightly out do his Mexican night Tequila Bottle outfit? Will Celia Charlton be able to retain her disco queen crown? Will Kate Button prove to be as good at the Bollywood hip wiggle as she was at the Samba? Can we rely on Chris Matthews, Mark Wilby and Mark White to put on their usual impromptu floor show? OK – that last one is just a silly question as we know perfectly well they will whether we like it or not ;-), but put 31st October in your diary now and be there to find out the answers to the others!