As a keen sailor, having kept my J109 Shiva for many years on the River Hamble, I have enjoyed many a frosty morning motoring up the river to the winter series start line out in the Solent.
It takes a keen and enthusiastic sailor to get out of bed early on a cold winters weekend morning and head down to their yachts, some mornings wiping the ice and snow from the decks to start prepping the boat for racing.
It is this dedication and passion from the numerous people involved, from the many crew and owners, to the hard work of the race committee, organisers and volunteers from the Hamble River Sailing Club that makes this special event happen. Giving the opportunity to many to get out racing with friends and family and extending their season in friendly ( sometimes) competition.
So it was my pleasure all those years ago when I first opened The Bugle, as a local company serving this sailing community and as a keen sailor, to be able to step up and become one of the sponsors of the event. Supporting the great work that the Hamble River Sailing Club does in organising this series.
Especially poignant for me given the fact that the Club was founded back in 1919 and run for many years on the site of The Bugle, operating out of a shed in the carpark before moving to it current location.
I am very proud to say that for over 16 years we are still sponsoring this series, and although I now do most of my sailing in warmer climes I look back with many fond memories of the winter series and am very happy that we can still be part of this longstanding, well know and loved sailing series.
We always look forward to giving the sailors a warm welcome when they come off the water at The Bugle, where the fires are roaring and the Sunday roasts hearty.
Happy sailing.
Matthew Boyle
Director, Ideal Collection
