On 3 Feb we were vastly entertained by Brian Laverick-Smith’s talk ’30 Years of Bother on the Hover: A pilot’s-eye view of operating the world’s largest hovercraft out of Dover.’ He illustrated this with photos and videos of this extraordinary vessel, which many of us remember from trips across the choppy seas of the Channel (appropriately enough, he included a snapshot of a sick-bag). The hovercraft could land anywhere, and we saw photos of its arrival on a French beach, much to the surprise of sunbathers.

His light-hearted talk described the various celebrities (Richard Burton) and royalty (Princess Margaret, Lord Mountbatten) who came on board, and how the chief navigating officer once got locked in the toilet, finally released by a human battering-ram of crew members.  He also showed us a film clip of a legendary trip to the Goodwin Sands, and much more.

And he talked us through the evolution of this bizarre amphibious craft. People had been trying to develop such a vessel for many years, though the one we recognize was launched in the early 1960s and remained in operation until 2000, when it was discontinued due to the competition from the ferries, from the Chunnel, the EU abolition of duty-free and general public apathy. There’s only one route left, between the Isle of Wight and Southsea.

All in all, huge fun.

Dates for your diaries:

23rd March, our regular Beach Clean. Meet outside the Zetland at 10am, to register. We’ll supply bin bags, gloves and litterpicking sticks. Wear suitable clothing and sturdy footwear – and no unaccompanied children are allowed.

1^st April we’re off to Stodmarsh Nature Reserve (note the change of date). Those of you who came on the beaver-spotting boat trip  – and indeed anyone who’s been – knows what a rich and magical marsh it is, so do come. It’s from 10am – 2pm and absolutely free, but do send your names to   Sue Lamoon  so she gets an idea of the numbers.