The Victoria Shadow Association

East Coast Social 2010

The East Coast Social was held on Saturday, 6th March 2010 at Wivenhoe. It was lovely to meet many old friends and some new ones. Josh Sanus and Christine Miller, who own a Victoria 26 'Vagabond' based at West Mersea, are quite new to the association but had come along and it was good to meet them.

After a fine lunch at The Rose and Crown public house, it was time to make our way to The Nottage Maritime Institute, where we met Chris Jeckells and his assistant for our talk about Jeckells Sailmakers; their history and the sails they make nowadays.

Everyone got an information pack including sail samples and a Mars bar! For those that paid attention during the talk, there was also the possibility of winning a stylish Jeckells Jacket.

Chris explained how Jeckells Sailmakers had started and told us the number of generations of the Jeckells family that had now been involved in the business. He also showed some 'now and then' pictures to illustrate just how much things had changed.

The talk not only compared the different types of sailcloth available and both their relative merits and disadvantages but went on to explain how the sails should be set and used to gain the maximum benefit.

Our audience remained very attentive throughout and we all wondered who might win the Jeckells Jacket. It was ... Arnold Robinson!

After all of the excitement, it is time for tea and some of Anne's delicious cakes; chocolate, coffee and hazelnut, shortbread. There is just time to try one of each!

John Cade took the opportunity to sell raffle tickets. Sales were no doubt boosted, when Chris Jeckells contributed a further jacket to the raffle prizes. Thank you Chris.

We all enjoyed a splendid day at the Nottage Institute and thank Michael, the curator, for his assistance. Mainly though, we must thank Anne for organising the event once again and for those cakes, of course. Thank you Anne.

We hope to see you all there again next year.