Hornet SSC Friday 12th December 2025
Published 11:18 on 13 Dec 2025
Ladies and Gentlemen, This weekend is our Christmas Ball at HSSC. Dress is Black Tie, with arrivals from 18:30 for welcome drinks and carriages at 23:30. We are all set for an evening of festive food, live music, and of course, great company. This is followed next Friday, 19 December 2025, by our Staff Drinks in the bar from 12:00. Please do come along to enjoy a buffet and drinks with the team and fellow club members. The Christmas raffle will also be drawn, with some fantastic prizes to be won. I am sure you will join me in thanking the entire Hornet Team for their professionalism and commitment to HSSC throughout this year. From delivering a fantastic high-quality catering and bar service, to the marina team who quietly provide what can only be described as an impressive marina, lift, and boatyard service for our members. All the very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. Brian and The Hornet Team | |||
Security Reminder Please continue to use the updated Visitor Notification Form, as required by site security. The form is available on our website under the Downloadable Forms section of the member portal. Guests must bring acceptable photo ID only a Driving Licence, Passport or MOD90 will be accepted. | |||
Staff Fund In recognition of the hard work our Clubhouse and Marina staff put in throughout the year, we will once again be organizing a Staff Fund, which will be shared amongst all staff members. This is a wonderful opportunity to show your appreciation for their efforts. If you would like to contribute, please make a bank transfer to the Club account, using Staff Fund and your surname as the reference. Account Details are HSSC Ltd 30-98-97 45697963. The cut-off date for contributions is 30th December. Thank you for your generosity and support | |||
Club Closure Notice We would like to inform members that the Bar and Galley will be closed from the 19th December 2025 following Staff Drinks and including 3rd to 9th January 2026 while we carry out exciting upgrades. These improvements are designed to enhance your experience and ensure the Club continues to offer the best possible service. A evening function on Monday 22nd December will go still ahead and all members are welcome to come along and enjoy a drink from 19.00 hrs. The Bar and Galley will reopen on 10th January, and we look forward to welcoming you back to enjoy the refreshed facilities. Further details about the changes will be shared in the coming weeks including the bar relaunch. Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we make these enhancements. | |||
Rear Commodore Positions at HSSC At the full Committee meeting on 9 Dec 25, the Committee voted unanimously to rename the current role of Treasurer to Rear Commodore (Finance). This change does not change role; however aligns it with the other Flag Officers. In a similar unanimous decision Lt Cdr Dan Murphy was appointed to the non-executive role of Rear Commodore (Sailing). Dan will now take the lead on behalf of the Committee for all aspects of sailing within the club; including Cruising, Rallies, Racing and Training. Work is already ongoing, and Sub-Committee positions have been advertised for members who may wish to support Dan in the New Year. The planned programme for 2026 is very much in development and beginning to appear on the club website. The appointment of this position will ensure that sailing continues to grow as a vital pillar of Hornet. Dan is now available via sailing@hornetservicessailing.org.uk to support where needed. I am pleased to inform you that Tania Anderson has returned to the club as Rear Commodore (House). You will know that Tania has previously held the position and been a longstanding Director at HSSC. I am sure you will all join me in congratulating Nick Walker, Rear Commodore (Finance), who continues to perform his longstanding duties as Finance Director with professionalism, together with Dan Murphy, Rear Commodore (Sailing), and Tania Anderson, Rear Commodore (House), for their continued commitment and service to HSSC. | |||
Hornet Racing & Cruising Committee We are looking for a few willing members to join our Hornet Racing Committee and Hornet Cruising Committee. In order to grow and develop our incredibly successful racing and cruising programmes into 2026; increasing participation and introducing new events. The committee will be chaired by Rear Commodore (Sailing) Lt Cdr Dan Murphy, on behalf of the Full Committee and will have responsibility for the planning of the racing and cruising calendar, facilitating events, preparing sailing and racing instructions, engagement with Service Sailing Associations and other clubs. If you've got ideas, experience, or just want to be part of the action, we would be grateful to have you aboard, if you would be interested in volunteering, please express which committee you would like to be part of (Racing or Cruising) contact Paul Anderson paul.anderson@hornetservicessailing.org.uk | |||
Combined Portsmouth Yacht Clubs Regatta 19 to 21 June 2026 - call for support HSSC will host the first Combined Portsmouth Yacht Clubs Regatta over the weekend of the 19 to 21 June 2026, as we look to bring this former event back into the local racing calendar. This looks set to be a very busy weekend at the club with both HSSC and visiting racers from HSSC, RNSA, PSC, racing IRC and YTC alongside Tempest, Mermaid, Victory and Squib classes. We are currently seeking volunteers who may be willing to support with the organisation in the lead up to and during the event, particularly Sunday 21st for prize giving when we expect the club to be at its busiest, as well as those who might wish to support over the weekend with Committee boat duties, alongside Cowes week PRO Cdre Phil Warwick. If you are able and willing to support in anyway possible please reach out to Dan.murphy@hornetservicessailing.org.uk and he will link you in with the organisation committee. | |||
Updated Lift Schedule Select the links below to view the latest lift schedule: | |||
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RNLI Collection Thank you to everyone who has donated to the RNLI via the collection boat on the clubhouse bar AND at the RNLI Coffee morning in November. £60.00 was counted today form the bar donation box and £338.50 from the coffee morning totalling £401.70 and has now been handed over to the RNLI. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. | |||
Berthing Invoices 2025-2026 Please note the the annual berthing invoices will be sent out on Monday 15th December 2025. This will be for berthing from 1st December 2025 to 30 November 2026. | |||
IMPORTANT NOTICE - LAYAPART STORES The marina team have identified some lay-aparts that contain flammable materials. Those identified will be contacted to remove any items that are flammable. Please check your stores for any flammable items that are prohibited - such as flares, gas bottles, paints etc and remove them. Please note that if we identify items of risk and cannot make contact then we will safely remove any flammable items. | |||
HMS Medusa Visits We are pleased that HMS Medusa is currently moored up in our marina following their presence at our recent Remembrance Service. The Medusa trust team are offering members onboard tours and if you would like to take them up on this offer please email admin@hornetservicessailing.org.uk so we can pass your details on. | |||
Christmas Staff Drinks and Raffle Friday 19th December Join us for a festive lunch to say thank you to our amazing staff for all their hard work this year! Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with a buffet and drinks, and take part in our Christmas Draw for a chance to win some fantastic prizes:
Tickets are just £1 each and are available from the bar. Don't miss this opportunity to dust off the Christmas jumpers to celebrate together and show your appreciation! | |||
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Visit our website to view the HSSC Calendar Please note that even if a private function is underway then Hornet Members will always be welcome to use your Clubhouse and Bar. December 2025
Key Club Dates for 2026 Were delighted to share that the key dates for next year are now available as a flyer in the foyer—please feel free to pick one up when you next visit. It includes Clubhouse events, Hornet sailing rallies and races for 2026, so you can start planning ahead and mark your diaries early. The website will be updated soon, and as always, details of each event will be published in 'The Dit' and displayed on posters in the Club closer to the time. We look forward to seeing you at these events and making 2026 a fantastic year together |
Last updated 11:18 on 13 December 2025