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.