"The best AGM I've ever attended, anywhere!"
Published 22:44 on 24 Apr 2025
To quote one happy LOA member and a sentiment repeated by many of the 60 members who attended The Legend Owners Association 30th AGM and Anniversary Celebrations at the National Sports Centre, Bisham Abbey on 12th April 2025.
Doors opened at 13:30 to a social gathering in the 'Legend Café', where members could browse the exhibition of photos spanning 1995, the inaugural year, through to present day and take in a cinema showing videos of past events as well as the 118 photos submitted to the LOA Photo Competition, set to music. With tea and coffee on-tap and an open bar, other attractions in the Café included the opportunity to 'Bring and Buy' items of members nautical hardware, see samples of Legend Owners Merchandise and, the star attraction, a stall of Legend Spare Parts, where donations to Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust were exchanged for Legend Spares, some of which were unique to the brand. As one member put it "I couldn't get the item I needed at Southampton or Dusseldorf Boat Shows, but I got it here I'm made up!"
Members look back over the past 30 years
Time to socialise in the sun next to the Thames
Members browsing the Legend Spare Parts
At 15:00 members entered the historic Great Hall for the formal AGM business (Members can read the minutes in the Members Only section of this site). With all resolutions passed, members enjoyed a presentation by Jade Beasley of Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, as well as Ben Williams, a cancer survivor who benefited from the support the Trust brings.
The results of the Photographic Competition and Wavelines Articles Competition were announced and most of the winners were present to receive their prizes.
The Rear Commodore Opens the Meeting in the Great Hall
The Association Thanks retiring Secretaries David & Vicki Addey
The last hour of the meeting featured an engaging and somewhat emotional interview by Rear Commodore Howard Bentley with Whitbread Round the World Ocean racers (1989/90 and 1993/94), Jeni Mundy (Maiden & Heineken) and partner Spike Watson (Steinlager 2 & NZ Endeavour). The whole room was riveted listening to their adventures both extreme in exhilaration and life threatening situations.
Jeni and Spike recall their sailing adventures with video clips
After a brief break, members gathered again in the Great Hall for the 30th Anniversary Celebration Dinner and Round the World Ceilidh. The curtain finally came down at midnight and revellers drifted back to their rooms to bed. Breakfast the next morning was alive with reminiscences of a day never to be forgotten Quite something for an AGM!
Last updated 23:00 on 24 April 2025