This July, HSSC was shocked and saddened to lose fellow member Jim Thomas. Below is a tribute to Jim written by his son Joseph. On behalf of all HSSC members, I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to Joseph and the rest of Jim's family. (MDM)

Jim Thomas an early member of the sailing club sadly died of a sudden unexpected heart attack in the early morning of the 22nd of July 2006 at the age of 55. The news came as a huge shock to all his family, friends and students and we will never forget his kind charm.

Jim became a member of the sailing club at the early age of 12 and grew more attached to boats as the years went by. At 13 he even designed and built his own rowing boat. Jim was always very keen with woodwork and later taught it for 3o years at different schools around Kent.

For his degree he amazingly designed and built his own sailing dingy influenced by the Scorpion. The sailing club at Hythe was the first place he tested it on water which went successfully I remember him telling me with pleasure. Also around this time he ran the clubs sailing trips to France at Hardelot.

Later he introduced me his son Joseph to sailing at the club in a Mirror and I have loved it ever since. I can never thank him enough for introducing this hobby to me as well as skiing. I will strongly miss his company as well as my mother Pauline, brother Samuel and my 2 sisters Florence and Susannah. We haven't just lost a father but also a friend.

I would also like to thank everyone for attending his funeral it was very touching to see so many people from the club come especially as the club was a key part of his life.

Many thanks From Joseph (Jims son).

Jim Thomas