On a bitterly cold but crisp Tuesday 7 December members and friends gathered early at the Club for fortification at the bar before heading across the road to St Michaels, Paternoster Royal for the annual Carol Service.

The Congregation were personally greeted by Anne Rickwood upon entering the Church. Anne is one of our most senior and respected members and particular thanks go to her for organising this special evening.

The Church was beautifully decorated as always at Christmas and the pews were soon filled and tightly packed ready for the service to start.

The choir, this year led by the Revd Peter McGeery, began with some introductory Christmas anthems to the background of rustling orders of service and whispered greetings among friends.


Our warm thanks go to Mhaira Ellis for arranging the music for the evening.
Our Chaplain Tom Heffer, who is also the Principal of the Missions to Seafarers, led us in prayers and carols, interlaced with lessons from the principal officers of the Club, and with more finely harmonised singing from the choir.


The congregation sang lustily with the choir to the accompaniment of Rupert Merson at the organ, a worthy successor indeed to John Warrell who sadly is no longer with us.


This is a moment, perhaps, to pause and remember John once again for his years of reassuring helmsmanship, largely out of sight, up in the organ loft and which made these occasions such a delight. You can read more about John and his distinguished career at http://www.barrythomas.co.uk/Southwark-silver-release.pdf


As we look to the future a special thankyou goes to Rupert for so kindly picking up the baton from John and so seamlessly carrying it forward, we hope and trust for many years to come.


Members donated generously to the retiring collection and withdrew to the warmth of the Club where following Grace from the Revd Tom they enjoyed an excellent dinner of turkey and christmas pudding washed down with mulled wine and further sustenance from the bar.


David Roache, our Commodore, invited the members to offer a special thanks to Didier, Roberta and their catering staff for a magnificent year’s service to the Club.


All in all this was another memorable occasion, beautifully put together and a fitting start to the coming Christmas season. This is always a time to reflect upon the thousands of miles that our members have sailed throughout the year and around the world, and to give thanks for their safe return to harbour.

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