The Victoria Shadow Association

Formation, Aims and Constitution

Questionnaire

In 1990, Victoria Marine sent out a questionnaire to 223 possible members of a 'Victoria Boat Owners Association'. On the 4th December 1990, a further letter was sent to the same people with the results of the survey and this letter is the oldest surviving document in our records.

Over 100 owners had taken part in the survey and some of the results have helped to shape the association we have today. Examples are:  Several requested an 'Owners List' which forms the basis of our Handbook; 88% were in favour of a combined AGM and Dinner to be held in London, which has become our Annual Luncheon and General Meeting at the Corinthian Sailing Club in Hammersmith; 94% in favour of 'Cruising Events' that have became our rallies; several responses requested an 'Owners Manual' and that was the beginning of our Technical Manuals.

The response was sufficiently encouraging that potential members were asked to sign up, and pay up, at the London Boat Show in 1991. The annual subscription was initially set at £25 p.a!

Inaugural Meeting

This was held on the 10th March 1991 at the Warsash Sailing Club. 41 members were in attendance out of 73, who had paid their subscriptions. Peter Gregory took the Chair temporarily to welcome everyone before handing over to Olive Hathaway, who took the Chair with the agreement of all members attending.

The following elections were made unanimously:

Mr Roger Thorpe, owner of Victoria 34, 'C.C. Venturer' was elected as Joint Chairman;

Mr Geoff Tarr, owner of Shadow 26, 'Tschiffeley's Shadow' was elected as Joint Chairman;

Mrs Olive Hathaway, owner of Victoria 26, 'Shikara' was elected as Honorary Secretary;

Mr John Cade, owner of Victoria 34, 'Natterjack' was elected as Honorary Treasurer.

Aims

To establish a permanent link of friendship and to promote mutual benefit amongst all owners of Victoria yachts and Shadow motor yachts and any other craft built by Victoria Marine or its successors.

To hold meetings to permit the proper functioning of the Association and to produce periodical publications for exchange of information.

To encourage the exchange of ideas and information by and between owners concerning the building, fitting out, modification and performance of our boats and the current activities of the members of the Association.

To encourage yacht sailing and motor yachting by amateurs, to promote the holding of rallies and regattas and the giving of prizes and to organise such other activities as the Association may determine.

Constitution

The Association operated under a set of rules for many years. In November 2004, the Committee decided to embark on a revision of these rules. This revision was very thorough with the majority of the work being undertaken by Barrie Marson but with the whole Committee being actively involved.

To emphasis the extent of the changes and the aims of the document, the name was changed from 'Rules' to the 'Constitution of The Victoria Shadow Association.' The new constitution was approved by the membership at the Annual General Meeting on the 18th November 2007.

You may download a copy of the Constitution of The Victoria Shadow Association by clicking on the link below. It will open in a separate window and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, or similar, installed on your computer to display it.

page last updated 03/02/2009