The recent 2024 National AGM took place in Gloucester, accompanied by weekend-long crisp blue skies and freezing temperatures. Friday night saw the arrival of the Gaffers, who congregated for dinner in The High Orchard Pub – an opportunity to enjoy some warmth and converse with friends, both new and old. Our Younger Members also joined in, and ventured out to enjoy the Gloucester v Scarlets rugby match, armed with high spirits and plenty of layers.

Saturday matched Friday’s positive atmosphere as members who were not attending the Areas Committee Meeting (ACM), explored the historic centre of Gloucester with its picturesque, Harry Potter associated, Cathedral. The ACM was a great opportunity for all of the OGA area presidents and secretaries to meet in person, discussing future collaborations and shared tips.

The main event, the AGM, was held in the lovely Llanthony Priory. The meeting was very well attended with members from all areas, including from France. It was decided that the tri-annual OGA Yearbook would be replaced by the Members Directory on the OGA website and other key decisions. We also enjoyed some fantastic presentations: a member of the Solent area, Jo Tall, shared her experience at the Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy’s wooden paddleboard course; and the French OGA president and vice-president showcased their exciting plans for the St. Malo OGA Festival in June 2025. The successful meeting was rounded off with a lovely dinner followed by traditional Scottish music and renditions of Red Rover (to the OGA lyrics of course), and dances of Dashing White Sergeant, Strip the Willow and many more.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper Gaffers event without a visit to a boatyard teeming with traditional boats. We were treated to a tour of the T. Neilsen & Company boatyard and workshops which are used not only to restore beautiful ships such as Bessie Ellen and HMS Victory, but also help to create ships for film sets such as ‘House of Dragons’ and Disney’s ‘Little Mermaid’. Our guide was no other than Tommi Neilsen who filled the tour with lots of knowledge, anecdotes and humour. At the end, we all dispersed into the still-frozen Gloucester for further explorations or alternatively, begin the meandering journey back to our home ports.

The 2025 AGM is kindly being hosted by the East Coast area in Chatham in February 2025.