Gravesend Sailing Club have appointment their youngest ever commodore.

Harriet Davies-Mullan is 31 and is also honorary vice president of the Gravesend Sea Cadets.

She is the third generation of her family to become commodore. Her grandfather James (Jim) Twyman joined in 1946 and twice had the role while her parents Steve and Penny Davies have also held the post.

Last summer Harriet’s son Edward became the fourth generation of the family to take to the water, aged just three days and one hour old.

Harriet is looking forward to the new season and said: “2020 was difficult for so many people however at the club our members benefited from being part of our family oriented community.

"It was for some a lifeline plus a crash-course in IT! We exchanged more than just sailing tips, we held regular online social events and once permitted last year enthusiastically took to the Thames as much as possible.

“We were able to enjoy a somewhat shortened sailing season despite the complications around Covid, with both racing and cruising on the agenda.”

The final event at the club was the end of season cruise which saw dinghies and cruisers alike sail from Gravesend to Greenhithe.

“It was a joyous day,” the new commodore recalled. “We all loved the sense of freedom that only sailing can give you.”

Situated at the gateway to the tidal Thames, Gravesend Sailing Club is well suited to those wishing to learn how to sail.

Harriet explained: “You definitely don’t have to own a boat, the club has sailing dinghies available for members to hire and there will always be someone keen to take you out either on a dinghy or cruiser.”

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