Cruise timeline

Whether you're new to the cruises or an old hand, you might be surprised to know how long they've been running.

1952

1952

Morgan Derham starts the Otters (boys) cruises at Easter for Scripture Union.

1953

Herons (a cruise for girls) starts at Easter, with Joan Callaway as Commodore.

1957

Morgan Derham starts the Mallards (boys) camp in the summer based at Horsey.

1958

Otters 'B' begins, alongside Otters A. There were 94 people!

The first recorded crew mutiny occurs at Easter.

1960

1960: There were 2 Otters cruises each year to meet the demand.
1964: 'A' cruise went to the Southern broads.
1965: One of the Otters cruises becomes mixed and changes its name to Kestrels.
1969: Right Said Geoff written.

1970

1970

At some point in this decade, Sea Kestrels begins.

1972

Peter Holmes retires as commie of Otters.

David Gunton had an adventure which got reported in the local press, involving signalling from a buoy having drifted out to sea in a rowing boat?

1973

Brian Pratt becomes commie of Otters.

1974

Harriers started as the SU summer cruise, similar to Kestrels but no cruiser and was the only mixed holiday in the Scripture Brochure. Brian Pratt is commie.

1975

The song 'oh we'd love to learn to sail' is written, from an original idea from Adrian Seward.

1976

Brian Pratt retires as Otters commie amd David Gunton takes over the following year.

1980

1980

Morgan starts Falcons.

Val and Neville become commies of Kestrels.

1981

Val and Neville restart Mallards, based in Riddlington.

1982

Harriers starts a second cruise to try to meet the demand.

1984

The remaining Otters cruise becomes Kestrels A. Kestrels itself changes to Kestrels B.

1986

Hurricane Charley hits Britain's summer holiday season just in time for Mallards.

Herons finishes after more than 30 years.

Falcons finishes.

1987

MUCUS is formed - Mates Union Combatting Ugly Skippers.

1988

Mallards moves to Bradoview Cottage (Alderfen Broad).

1990

1990

Andy and Pippa Reid take over Harriers A.

1992

Catherine Rand gets all three emergency services and the Broads Authority in attendance for a crushed foot (or possibly 1993).

Linda Paterson starts as joint commie of Harriers B.

1994

A third Harriers cruise begins - Harriers C - with the aim of improving the skills of those who have been before.

Mallards moves to Hickling.

On Harriers A, the crew of Lullaby (Rachel M, Rachel F, Mike, Phil, Phil and Jenny) write 'Gybe-ho'. It comes third in the song contest.

Helen Vinter and Julian Whettam start as Harriers A commies.

1995

Alan Boughton takes over as Commodore of Mallards, from Patrick Corke.

1996

John Boughton becomes commie of Harriers A.

Helen moves onto Harriers A with John Vinter and Linda.

1997

James Wilson takes over as commie for Kestrels A.

1998

Val and Neville retire from Kestrels B.

Liz Lovelock, Trevor and Paula Chalk take over Kestrels B.

Morgan Derham dies.

James retires as Kestrels A commie.

1999

Neil and Clare take over Kestrels A.

2000

2000

Harriers C finishes.

Brian Pratt retires from the cruises.

2004

Helen H becomes commie on Harriers B.

2007

Mallards moves from Hickling to Catfield.

2008

Alan steps down as Mallards commodore. Vicki and Tris take over as joint commodores.

2009

Helen Vinter retires from Harriers B.

2010

2011

Kestrels gets 5x commies!

Neil retires from Kestrels A, Alex from Kestrels B.

2012

Kestrels A and B are merged into one Kestrels.

Sarah, Tore and Ed become Kestrels commies.