Posted on 6th April 2020
We hope all our members, wherever you may be, are keeping safe and well in these unprecedented times. It now seems likely that restrictions on social gathering and travel will remain well into the summer, so that SOA events planned for earlier in the season are being re-scheduled or cancelled. One casualty is International Shrimper Week, which this year was to have seen us spend ten days from June 19th exploring the delightful and picturesque Suffolk Rivers. Bob Whitehouse (East Region Hon Sec) and his team have put in a great deal of time and effort planning the itinerary and making the necessary arrangements, but have reluctantly decided to postpone the event until next year, see note below.
Dear All,
Just like everybody else, I have been trying to understand when this dreadful virus will be behind us and we can start to resume normal life. I have been hoping that maybe we might be starting to come out of it by June, and that we might still be able to run ISW, as planned.
However, it is apparent that many owners have not yet been able to do very much preparation. It is also now becoming apparent that, even when we are past the peak of the pandemic, getting back to normal is going to be a long drawn out process.
So, even if things are starting to recover by June, many owners will be struggling to get here.
So I think that it will be fairer to all if I now cancel ISW2020. I have spoken with our National Hon Sec, Trevor Heritage, and he is keen that we come to Suffolk for ISW in 2021 - so that is what we will do. Dates to be announced.
Here's hoping that we can get some Shrimper sailing in later in the summer.
I wish you all the very best, and look forward to seeing you all on the other side!
Regards,
Bob Whitehouse
