Gravesend Sailing Club recently held their traditional annual sail-past to celebrate the beginning of the new season on the lower Thames.

They welcomed Gravesham mayor Peter Scollard this year with his daughter, Georgia, the mayoress Julie Easy, as well as councillor Shane Mochrie-Cox with his wife Lauren and their children, Joshua and Megan, and councillor Jordan Meade.

The sail-past starts with commodore Harriet Davies-Mullen sailing past the club while their cannon is fired. This year, however, she was joined in her dayboat - Ozone Friendly - by Gravesham’s mayor and his daughter to celebrate this occasion.

Following closely behind were Steve and Penny Davies in their dayboat, Widgeon, accompanied by the mayoress.

Councillor Mochrie-Cox and his son joined Richard Twyman on his cruiser, Four Bells. Joshua enjoyed the experience so much he was able to helm for some of the sail-past.

The rest of the club’s cruisers sailed past Gravesend SC and the cannon was fired once more as Gravesend’s rear commodore was the final cruiser across the line. Councillor Meade watched from the club shoreline.

Then, it was back to the clubhouse for canapes and socialising with club members, where the commodore thanked the special guests and the mayor also said a few words, noting how important community events are.