HSSC Weekly Dit Friday 30 May 2025

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The weekend starts this evening with Club Night! Join us for live music, delicious food, and the ever-popular HSSC meat raffle, starting at 7:00 PM.

Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy the evening. If you'd like to dine with us, please remember to email ahead to reserve your meal and let us know your choices.

It's also great to see so many members out on the water at the moment. Don't forget to send us your photos and stories—I would like to share your sailing adventures with the rest of the club.

We also have our very own Big Buoys Challenge and Nab Tower to look forward to. Please get involved and contact the office to register your interest. 

Have a fantastic weekend,

Brian

Bernard Mitchell Lt Cdr RN Tryst wiGaia & Brainstorm

We regret to inform our members that Lt Cdr Bernard Mitchell has sadly crossed the bar on Friday 11th April following an ongoing battle against chondrosarcoma which resulted in an above-knee amputation last March 2024. Despite Bernards amazing resilience and perseverance during his rehabilitation with his family in Devon, he unfortunately developed secondary metastases and succumbed to the illness last month.

He is survived his wife Sarah Jane, two daughters Rebecca and Jemma, and grandson Willoughby (aged six years) who hopes that he is now sailing the seven seas on a boat which will never break..!  Fair winds and fair tides in the afterlife Bernard. 

There will be a Memorial Service including a Requiem Mass at the Church of St John in Lee-on-the-Solent at 1pm on Friday 20th June, followed by a knees up (to quote Bernards letter of wishes…) at Hornet Services Sailing Club from 2:30pm. 

Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time and we wish Bernard safe onward travels beyond heaven to quote his grandson (which must be a very special place indeed). Bernard was a member of Hornet since 2007 and a member of RNSA since 1974 and a member of the OCC for many years.

Lift Schedules 

To view the May and June Lift schedules please select the below links.

Welcome to our New Bar & Functions Manager Tricia Thomason-Darch

I am delighted to announce that Tricia Thomason-Darch has joined us as our new Bar & Functions Manager.

Tricia brings with her a wealth of experience from her previous role at Lee-on-the-Solent Tennis and Squash Club. With many years in hospitality management, she joins us at an exciting time to lead and strengthen our bar and functions team.

Please join us in giving Tricia a warm Hornet welcome—be sure to introduce yourself when you see her around the clubhouse. 

Galley Closing Saturday Evening 31 May 2025

Please note that the Galley will be closed for Saturday evening service only on 31 May 2025, due to annual leave.

This closure affects Saturday night only—all other opening times remain unchanged.

We are currently in the process of recruiting a chef to support John and appreciate your patience during this time.

Additionally, starting next week, the Galley will extend its Friday and Saturday evening dinner service by one hour, with new hours from 18:00 to 21:00.

I apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Marina Machinery Update

Please be advised that both the MOD 50T Hoist and the club Merlo machine have developed significant faults. As a result, this impacts our ability to perform boat lifts requiring the larger MOD Hoist, as well as the clubs mast-lifting operations.

We are actively working to resolve these issues and will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Thank you for your understanding.

Haslar Bridge Closure 

HCC have a planned closure including pedestrian access from 0930 Monday 28 July - 1400 Tuesday 05 August.

The bridge closure will cause inconvenience in accessing Hornet.

Tarmac and Concrete Repairs on FB3 Starting Monday, 2nd June

Please be aware that substantial repair works to the roadways and hardstandings in FB3 will commence on Monday, 2nd June.

Vehicle access will be restricted during this period. We kindly ask all members to park in the car park located outside the historic walls.

The affected areas will be barriered off, and the disruption is expected to last for approximately one week.

For all boat movements and vehicular access to the site, please liaise with the Marina Team.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

New Style Membership Cards

The new card printer has arrived and is fully operational.

To collect your new card, please visit the club office on Thursday, 5th June, between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Felicity will be available to issue your card during this time.

If youre unable to attend on Thursday, dont worry—additional dates will be available, and well continue to produce cards in the office whenever capacity allows.

War Memorial & HSSC Borders - Rowena Heale

I would like to thank Rowena for her dedication and gardening skills in organising the flowers and greenery around the site in particular the Coastal Forces War Memorial. 

Rowena can be seen at all hours quietly tending to the flowers and plants and it is very much appreciated.

Well done Rowena.

Port Chantereyne Rolex Fastnet 2025 

Port Chantereyne is hosting the arrival of the 51th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race this summer with all the competitors. As the number of visitor berths will be limited from July 28 to August 4, we would like to inform as many sailors as possible of there inability to guarantee a quality welcome to our visitors between these dates.

Dont forget to claim Hornet Members 10% Discount at Port Chantereyne.

TONIGHT - HSSC Club Night Fri 30 May 2025 

There is still time to join us this Friday for this informal evening of good company and great food. With easy-listening music in the background and Johns delicious food on offer, its the perfect way to catch up with friends— or make some new ones. 

IF YOU HAVE BOOKED YOUR PLACE WOULD YOU LET JOHN KNOW YOUR FOOD CHOICES -EITHER FISH & CHIPS OR SAUSAGES BY QUICKLY EMAILING FUNCTIONS@HORNETSERVICESSAILING.ORG.UK

MEAT RAFFLE - TO BE HELD AT CLUB NIGHT 

We'll also be running our monthly meat raffle during the event.

To Book Email: functions@hornetservicessailing.org.uk

Sailing

Please contact the office to join our sailing events. More details to follow.