EDITOR'S NOTES

Here we are in the fourth month of the year with the weather behaving as if summer is upon us. This is proving good for fitting out and the yard is busy much of the time. Let us hope that when summer does arrive it will not prove to be a wet one as has happened occasionally in the past. I suppose that the coming set of high tides will see a large number of boats going into the river. However, take care to get your insurance certificate in to the Yard and Berthing Master before you launch (see Rear Commodore's Report),

A missing face in the yard will be that of Charlie Briscoe who has gone to live in Spain. Charlie is a part owner of Carbris with Tom Carragher. Tom says that Carbris is not yet for sale but will be at a later date. He also says that if anyone is interested in Carbris please feel free to get in touch with him.

Sadly, I heard from Joe Coady of the death of Mike Finney. His funeral took place on 20th February. Mike was Commodore of B.S.C from 1967 to '69. He lived with his wife Jean in Mylor Creek Cornwall. All those members who knew Mike and Jean will be saddened by this news. Stan Warren has visited them several times when he has been in that part of the country and will be able to give you more news about them.

On a happier note it was good to see Arthur Mount yesterday around the clubhouse. He is looking very well and has also managed to do some stocktaking along with Peter Williams. Joan Griffiths is now home from hospital after a heart attack and is looking very well. Yesterday was also the first time that I had seen the new slip in all its glory. What a wonderful sight and a worthwhile project.

You will probably all have received your diary by now. There is a change to the Social Programme. The
Barbecue cannot be held on 17th May. The new date will probably be the 10th of May. The date will be posted on the board in the clubhouse. There are other events afoot which are not in the diary so please watch the notice board.

Fran Loughran told me today that Cedric is still on Ark Royal. They are able to keep in touch by e mail and there is a twenty minute weekly allocation of phone calls. Cedric was on Sir Percival, which went into Qatar with relief supplies over the last few days. Ark Royal is due back here in the middle of May and it is not yet known if Cedric will sail or fly home. Anyway all good wishes to him.

Today has been a very interesting and hopeful day as far as the war is concerned. It looks as though the end is in sight. Whatever one feels about the situation it has been a very public war and must have brought home to millions the reality of war as opposed to war films. Watching how other people have lived can only make us feel grateful for what we have here.
Today is also Budget Day and I'm not yet sure that our gratitude will stand up to what is to come in that!!

NOTES FROM THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING 8TH APRIL

The General Committee Meeting which took place last night was quite a jolly affair with all members present..

THE COMMODORE opened the meeting with thanks to David Wilcox for taking the chair at the last meeting whilst Mike and Maggie were on holiday in Mexico. They enjoyed their holiday very much in spite of the fact that it rained all the time. Mike also thanked Dave for masterminding the building of the new slip which he thought was a wonderful improvement

THE VICE COMMODORE agreed that the slip is very good. There is now a piece of hardwood bolted to the end of the slip, which hopefully will prevent dinghies being damaged. The total cost of the building was £6487.
The timbers from the old slip are stacked behind the Black Hut and some have already 'disappeared'.
The Sailing Committee made plans for the WORKING PARTY at their last meeting. As reported in the last newsletter this will be held on SATURDAY 12th APRIL. If you get this letter on Friday it will serve as a reminder that all members have a commitment to attend

The work is planned as follows:- A group to work on the infill panels on the North slip will be headed by Dave Wilcox. Alan Roe will lead the perching party. As mentioned last month the Dinghy Park will be cleared and all unclaimed dinghies will be removed. This party will be led by the Commodore .A group working on the groins by the sea wall will be led by Phil Wright The House Committee will paint the inside of the Clubhouse, clear the Committee room, clear the drains and guttering and re-do the soak away by the back door. The Rear Commodore will lead this work. David Rowles will work on the outside lights. A free lunch will be provided that's my job Vegetarians will be catered for. This is rather a lot of work so a lot of bodies will be needed. If you know which group you are joining please bring appropriate tools The Commodore showed some concern that individuals had not been asked to join groups in advance Please do try to attend..

The Yard and Berthing Master told the meeting that there were thirteen outstanding INSURANCE DECLARATIONS. Not yet returned. There is no need to show a policy but the number of the policy must be given There is no chance of anybody obtaining and using that number fraudulently. The two committees decided that without fulfilling this obligation a boat owner will get no assistance with launching or in other words will not be allowed the use of the winch.

There is a further request from the laying up yard. When moving trailers or boats please take good care not to knock, damage or scratch other boats. Also when working, visiting or even passing by please be extra vigilant. Look out for anything or anyone unusual or any odd behaviour.

THE REAR COMMODORE. In addition to the work mentioned above for the working party to do Carole told the meeting that a strong room will be provided within the room behind the bar.
The work on the bar is progressing slowly. Many thanks were expressed to Ray Downey and to Bob Chamberlain for their hard work on the bar top. Thanks also to Brian Lewis for providing the wood and to John Heyworth who is in the process of varnishing it. Carole also thanked David Warren for his organisational capabilities.

The future of the Black Hut is once again in doubt. Mike Kennan and his team will examine it and report back to the committee. It would be a pity to lose it, as historically it was the first sailing club on the site. Another pity is the way that it is used as a dumping ground, with no semblance of tidiness. It would have to be replaced with some other storage building.

Paul Wren has very kindly given some new carpeting to the club for use in the committee room.

THE HON SECRETARY has dealt with necessary correspondence and has placed anything new on the notice board. Mark and Mike Kennan attended a Fund Raising Presentation (ideas for fund raising) but from our Club's point of view it was not very rewarding. Stan Warren is in touch with a person from Sport for All and will get an application form.
Mark and John Heyworth will attend the Annual Regatta at Royal Mersey Yacht Club on Thursday this week.

THE 200 CLUB MEMBERS DRAW HELD IN MARCH.

The prize winners were

1st Prize of £30.00-- Mrs Estella Carlile.

2nd Prize of £20.00-Mrs Margaret Smith

3rd Prize of £15.00-Mr John Heyworth

The date of the next draw:- Friday 25th April 2003 at Approximately 22.00hours.

THE HON TREASURER David gave his usual breakdown of the accounts which he said leaves us in a very healthy state.
There are still some outstanding subs, which should have been paid by the end of March.
David has put a copy of the Catalogue COMPASS in the clubhouse for your perusal. However if you are intending to buy from it Richard Wilkinson can give a good discount on the same goods.

THE HON MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Stan told the committee that the list of unpaid subs has been put on the notice board and letters have gone to the defaulters.
The owner of Sheranta B is reported to be returning home after Easter.

By a unanimous vote the General Committee accepted the applications of two new House Members.
Please welcome David Oakes of Scarisbrick and Mike D Williams of Hightown into the club.

Stan is concerned that the caterers who have done the meals for the Prizegiving evening and the Fitting Out Supper have gone out of business. They have been concerned with these two events for a good number of years. It is proving difficult to replace them as most caterers only do buffet service. Do you know of any meal providers? If so please tell Stan.

THE SOCIAL COMMITTEE. Maggie was very pleased with the outcome of her Spring event which went very well. She thanked her team who did most of the preparation and planning whilst she was away and also to those who attended.
As previously mentioned the Barbecue will not be held on 17th May. The most likely date is the 10th May. Please make a note of it.

(A message from Mike Ascot to say that he is returning to Malta this week and will be in touch later. He said that he thoroughly enjoyed his visit to the club. Ed)

ANY OTHER BUSINESS. Bob Chamberlain told the committee of his meeting with the architect and of his request for a package of drawings etc for the repair and renovation of the roof of the clubhouse. These were not forthcoming for the last meeting and again for this meeting, a matter of almost two months. It was decided that if he produces nothing by May the business would be taken elsewhere.

Hightown Parish Council is interested in the Village in Bloom. Mike Carron has asked if B.S.C can provide a dinghy which could be placed on a grass verge designated by Sefton and could then be filled with plants and flowers. This was agreed and an unused dinghy was offered. Who is a good gardener?

The Commodore closed the meeting.

REVELS DOWN UNDER.

I met my two friends John and Christian from Sweden at Heathrow Airport to start our fishing trip to New Zealand. We set off via Los Angeles (my tip of the day is don't do a stop over in L/A). On arriving in North Island New Zealand I replaced my broken fishing rod (thanks L/A) and we set off on our first trip, fishing around the Mercury Islands just off the Coromandel Peninsula. On our second day Christian caught a twenty-seven and a half pound Red Snapper, it was the second biggest ever landed in the boat's 18 year history. This trip produced lots of snapper and we enjoyed perfect weather. We returned to Auckland to clean up and ready ourselves for our second and potentially best trip.

We arrived at Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty at 4.30 pm where we loaded up the Cova Rose, our home for the next six days. We took all the important supplies for a successful fishing trip, beer, hooks, beer, rods, beer, clothes, beer and in case we ran short we took some extra beer and spirits and of course coke. We left port at about 6pm and our skipper decided to sail overnight to our fishing grounds at the Ramfarely Banks. We were woken when the engine went silent, funny the way that the sound that you thought was stopping you sleeping wakes you when it stops. After a breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausage, beans, tomatoes, fresh orange, tea or coffee we baited up for our first drop. After about twenty minutes I hooked on a fish and fifteen minutes later with hard work and some considerable pain I landed a 56kgm bass. We fished on for the rest of the day, my bass remaining the best of the day until the chef (Gilligan the deck hand) called a stop for dinner. We ate Cray fish followed by fillet steak with all the trimmings and then a cheesecake. (Gilligan received two proposals of marriage)

On Day two we fished all day and caught Harpuca Blue Nose and Trevali. We than had to stop as we had filled the cold store with one and a half tons in seven hours.

On the third day we tried trolling lures for game fish but had no real luck. We caught some Yellow fin Tuna and some Skipjack Tuna but no Marlin. It was lucky that someone had remembered to bring along some beer so we had a good day and a good night. We continued our plight the next day but try as we might we could not drink all the beer and after another big dinner it was back to bed.

On the next day we woke full of hope and hangovers and set off once again in search of 'the big one'. Most of the team were fed up and despondent and were returning to the rum and coke when the shout went up 'Strike'!
John was in like a flash, it seemed big. Suddenly about 160 yards behind the boat was a Tail walking Marlin. We had done it and 35minutes later it was tagged and returned. After another night of liquid refreshment and gourmet food we woke for our last day.

We decided to catch some King fish and we did hook quite a few but only landed a couple of small ones, certainly nothing to brag about and sadly it was time to pack up and set off for home. En route we all joined in and gutted and filleted our rather large catch and when all was finished and the boat washed down we had one more task to complete. Yes you may have guessed, it was to finish all the leftover beer and the small amount of rum (one and a bit bottles) a task that could and was, completed except for a few roadies for the non driving members of the crew.

On reaching land we first went to the weigh station to record the marlin and then on to the berth. Here we were met by some of the biggest Maoris I have ever seen. They had come for the heads and Scotsman's fillets, i.e. the carcasses. Thanking us they then went off for a big cook-up. That brought to an end our fishing trips and all I can say is that we showed the b…s down there how to fish. They also actually thought that they could teach us how to drink, BIG mistake, we beat them every way but which. So until next year it's "Goodbye New Zealand
Kieran Riley.

My thanks to Kieran for this

The bar will be open throughout the evening.

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