EDITOR

Editor Plenty of things happening in and around the club at the moment. Today Friday, several boats are moving into the laying up yard and this will continue over the weekend until Monday. This exodus will leave the moorings fairly empty of boats and of course filling up the yard although we are assured that there is enough space for all of the boats. Maybe this is a good time to remind you that the work is not completed with hauling out, there is a final date for completing the lowering of masts (Byelaw 17. All masts must be taken down within 28 days of laying up) It is also a good time to think about preserving moorings for next season i.e. prevent them sinking or disappearing before the winter actually arrives.

The 31st October is the last date for nominations or anything connected with the AGM to be held on Sunday 13th December. The Yard and Berthing Master, Cedric, will not be able to continue with his duties as he has started a new job based in Southampton. Unfortunately also Martin Dooley will step down as Rear Commodore at the end of the year due to other pressures.

This weekend Arthur Gelder will celebrate his 90th birthday. He too will be leaving us to go and live in Moffat, Scotland, a big change for him. Arthur has been a club member since 1948 and has many good memories to take with him. I don’t think that he will be moving out immediately but within the next few weeks. More later.

Very sadly I heard of the death of Brian Richard Latham last month after an illness of   some months.  Brian joined B S C in 1989. He was aged fifty-one and was married to Laura Tiere to whom we offer our sincere condolences on behalf of all club members. Brian’s funeral took place at St Michaels Church Crosby and he was then cremated on 21st September. Club members were in attendance.

The number of e-mail addresses for club members held by me is growing wonderfully. It means that I can send out reminders of anything happening in the clubhouse like the yard working party or meetings as well as the newsletter. Have you anything you would like me to include? I would like some letters or notices, moans or grumbles, anything you want to sell (or give away) can go in the newsletter and also on the website. If you change your e-mail address or get a new one please let me know. If you become a new e-mail aficionado please let me have your address. All you need to do is to send me e-mail, address at the top, and I can get yours from that and add it to my mailing list. Next month you will be able to read of Rohan Pickard’s first long trip, sent to me by e mail and very readable.

I was asked yesterday about rooks and crows, often confusing. Rooks like to live in flocks and build fairly large untidy nests in very high trees, often referred to as a rookery and as they are becoming more accustomed to humans they have been known to nest on high buildings. Rooks often refurbish old nests and there can be as many as fifteen nests in one large tree. The crow is more solitary in its habits and they build tidier nests. If you are uncertain which is which, try to remember the old saying “a crow in a crowd is a rook” it mostly works. As to their habits, the collective noun for rooks is a building of rooks and for crows, a murder of crows, which seem to be self-explanatory.

Some notes from the General Committee Meeting held on 13th October.

The Commodore opened the meeting and the minutes were read. Discussed and passed. Those absent were Phil Wright and Cedric Loughran.

Graham Lymberry from Sefton M.B.C.came to the meeting to explain some of the proposals for the coastal defence plans which to a large extent will affect our clubhouse and surroundings. There will be a great deal of movement of sand, rubble concrete, rocks and whatever will be chosen to form the defence. This all needs a great deal of planning, various permissions, and routes for access. The work will last for about six months and subject to agreement with all the various authorities could take place in 2010 OR 2011. There is a promise that everything will be restored after the completion of the work and it could be of some benefit to BSC. Members will be kept informed. The Committee decided that a group of people should represent the general committee and the club, as the whole thing would then be streamlined. Your representatives will be M. Kennan, P Wright and Mark Meadows. There will be a site meeting next month and by that time a little more would be known.

The Commodore told the meeting that he had attended that annual Dinner at West Kirby and had enjoyed a lovely evening.

The Vice Commodore was not present but Ian Cowell gave the report.

Sailing Committee Meeting Tuesday 6th October, 2009 at 8.00pm

1. Present: P Wright (Chairman), I Cowell (Secretary), C Loughran (Y & BM), P Williams, A Bridges, S Markland, A Lee-McGurk.

2. Apologies: M Kennan, W Woods

Matters Arising from the Minutes:

1. Race Results: Last Chance Race – 1st  Dawn Treader – S Quinn; 2nd Gizmo – J Hall; 3rd Nirvana – K Riley.
2. RYA – PY Submission: I Cowell said he had submitted the Club’s PYs based on the season’s sailing results to the RYA.
3. Theft of vhf radio and fog horns from the Black Hut: I Cowell said he had reported the matter to the Police who were to visit the Black Hut on Thursday 8th October, 2009. I Cowell said he had purchased the replacement gas horns and would get suitable quotes for a replacement Icom 33 or 35.
4. Prize Giving List: The Prize Giving List was circulated and approved for submission to the General Committee. I Cowell said a submission for the Traveller’s Trophy had now been received. There was some discussion regarding the Cruising Trophy and the Committee agreed that the criteria used in judging the award should be published in the Newsletter. It was also thought that the Trophy for Endeavour, not being a sailing matter, should be a matter for consideration by the General Committee.
5. Hand-over of Cups/Prizes by Pat Heyworth: I Cowell said that Pat Heyworth had been advised by her doctor to reduce her workload. Pat had successfully carried out the Cups/ Prize Giving role for many, many years and possessed a unique knowledge of the cups and prizes awarded at the Annual Prize Giving Night. Phil Wright said that Pat would be a hard act to follow but it would be necessary to find a replacement for the Club’s Annual Prize Giving event. Pat had prepared a detailed guide regarding the Prize Giving arrangements. The matter would need to be raised at the General Committee.
6. Race Time Limit: Phil Wright wondered whether Sailing Instruction 6 should be amended to; “Any boat not finishing within 1.5hrs after high water Hightown will retire.” I Cowell said the sailing instructions for each race always gave HW Alt based on the Club diary. C Loughran pointed out there was 10 minutes difference between the launching slip at the Yard and the entrance to the Alt. After discussion Phil Wright and the Committee agreed that any flexibility to allow a race to continue to the finish should be left to the Race Officer.
7. Handicap Committee Meeting: A meeting will be arranged for the Members of the Handicap Committee and interested Members of the Sailing Committee to draw up handicaps for the Club’s fleet for the 2010 season. One issue, which was discussed, was the question of flying spinnakers. It was decided that the Handicap list for Club boats would show two PY Numbers for each boat: one for a boat sailing without a spinnaker and another for the same boat with a spinnaker. If a competitor decided to fly a spinnaker during a race he/she would be handicapped using the PY Number for spinnakers. The aim would be to encourage Members to use their spinnakers in races.
8. Draft of the 2010 Sailing Season: The draft of the 2010 sailing season was considered and approved. Phil Wright had introduced a few more weekend races and, because none of the Wednesday’ evenings during the season were suitable; some evening races are to be held on Fridays. The priority during 2010 season would be to hold the Commodore’s Cruise, the Conway Cruise and the Rattray and Ranzo Trophy races. The Albert Dock Mini Cruise dates had been determined and would not clash with the Club’s racing schedule.
9. Black Hut: Phil Wright said a considerable amount of work had gone into upgrading the Black Hut, which he considered an invaluable resource for Club sailing members. The Members of the Sailing Committee agreed. However, all thought there should be an improvement in the type of lock used to secure the Black Hut.
10. Offer of a 19 foot Committee Boat: K Riley had offered a motorboat with a Yamaha Engine for use as a Club Committee Boat for next season. Phil Wright will discuss with K Riley his kind offer.
11.  
12. Club Race Officers Training: So far only 9 or 10 people had expressed interest in Race Officers Training. More publicity was needed through the Club Newsletter.
13.  
14. Winter Lectures/Talks on Wednesday Nights: Phil Wright and C Loughran suggested suitable candidates for Club talks could be Tony Clare, Tony Halliwell, and John Myerscough on racing tactics. Phil Wright to follow up.

(m)Letter from Liverpool Yacht Club Commodore: The
     Commodore of Liverpool Yacht Club had written a letter
     of thanks for the BSC donation made towards “Gulmarin”
     used in the 2009 Altmouth Cup. The letter intimated
     how much the LYC had enjoyed the race and opened up
     an offer of the use of “Gulmarin” in future Altmouth Cup
     Races. Phil Wright asked I Cowell to write to the LYC
     Winners and invite them to the forthcoming Prize Giving
     Night.

3. Yard & Berthing Master’s Report: Extension of Wind Farms: C Loughran said he had attended the Marine North West Safety Committee and learned planning approval had now been given to further extending the Burbo Bank, Hoyle and Gwynt y Mor (240 turbines) Wind Farms leaving a mile wide channel for shipping to reach the Port of Liverpool. To reach Conway and the Straits in the future it might prove necessary for small craft to go through the wind farms.

R.Y.A – Cedric had suggested to James Stevens of the RYA that so far as the general membership was concerned the RYA seemed to have lost its way. It was suggested that members might see an improvement in the future. Dead Boats in the Yard: Cedric said there were a number of dead boats in the Yard and attention would need to be given to them over the coming year. Yard Space: Cedric said that in his opinion there was enough space in the Yard for the boats that have yet to be brought in. Yard Working Party: A Yard Working Party is scheduled to take place on Saturday 17th October, 2009 at 10am. I Cowell was asked to order a Mini Skip to take the rubbish from the Yard. Contact List: The Contact List, particularly in regard to the Help Team, is to be updated.
Need for New Yard & Berthing Master: Cedric said he had accepted an appointment at his Organisations Head Office in Southampton. His duties would commence on Wednesday 14th October 2009. As a consequence he would be obliged to give up the role of Yard & Berthing Master at the next AGM. With the assistance of Peter Williams and members of the Sailing Committee he hoped to be able to continue to monitor the situation re the Yard until the AGM.

4. Any Other Business: P Wright and C Loughran apologised for non-attendance at the General Committee to be held on 13.10.09.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A NOTICE CONCERNING RACE OFFICERS TRAINING ON THE BOARD WITH 9 OR 10 NAMES ON IT. THE VICE COMMODORE WOULD LIKE MORE PEOPLE TO ATTEND EVEN IF YOU DON’T RACE. PLEASE CONSIDER PUTTING YOUR NAME ON THE BOARD.YOU COULD FIND IT MOST INTERESTING.

The Rear Commodore Martin told the committee that regretfully he was unable to continue with his duties as Rear Commodore. He thanked all the team for their help during his term as Rear Commodore.

The new shutters are a great success; Martin thanked Stan Warren for his efforts in getting the work carried out. The House Committee had formulated plans for clearing up the dinghy park and replacing the fence. However after the news from G Lymberry about the work to be done by the council, possibly this summer it was decided that the plans will be in abeyance until we see what is going to happen next.

The bench from outside the clubhouse will be re sited after some necessary repairs have been made. The emergency lights have been replaced.

The bar prices have been reviewed. Beer will be increased but all other items will remain the same until January. The new till should be in operation this weekend.

THE CLUBHOUSE WILL OPEN ON TUESDAY NIGHT AS WELL AS WEDNESDAY THE 20TH FOR THE SAILING BY OF THE QUEEN MARY AROUND 10 TO 11 PM.

The Hon Treasurer said that our finances are in a healthy state for the moment. A cheque for £700 + has been sent to the RNLI and also one to Southport Lifeboat for £232. The are the proceeds raised on the RNLI day in July. Very many thanks to all who helped in any way and to those who came and spent their money. Thanks also to Southport Lifeboat crew who turned up in spite of bad weather. PH

The Hon Secretary has dealt with a lot of correspondence. The relevant notices about meetings are on the board also the applications for appointment to the General Committee and anything else connected with the A G M.

The Hon Membership Secretary. Stan will be ordering the chosen menu for the Prizegiving Dinner to be held on the 14th November. There will be Soup, Chicken, Orange and chocolate truffle desert. A selection of cheeses and Coffee. The tickets will cost £16.50. Please put your name on the list or give it to Stan Warren.

The Social Committee  The Quiz Night was very enjoyable, about 50 members attended.
The next event will be the Barn Dance to be held on the 31st October. This is an innovation for the social committee and they would like as many members as possible to attend and enjoy the live music, the calling and the dancing. The cost will be £8.00 including a Hotpot followed by Fruit Crumble Supper made by Carole Fielding.

A reminder of all events

OCTOBER 31ST

BARN DANCE AND SUPPER

NOVEMBER  14TH

PRIZEGIVING DINNER

DECEMBER 19TH

CHRISTMAS PARTY

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 13TH DECEMBER.

Sadly I have a report of the death of Sid Blundell, well known to Friday Night, club members where he will be missed. Dave Flynn wrote the report for me.

SID BLUNDELL

Sid, locally known as “Sid the Tug”, died on 9th October, age 72.

Sid was born in Liverpool, lived for some time in Crosby, and eventually moved to Hightown with his wife, Val.

He spent much of his life at sea. From school he joined the Merchant Navy and went to places all over the world. He left the Navy to join the RAF for his National Service. After that he did a stint as a taxi driver, but never lost his love of the sea, and eventually he became mate on a Tugboat in Liverpool. He rose to the rank of Captain for the Alexander Towing Fleet based in Liverpool, but spent some time working at Leith. During his time he was responsible for manoeuvring enormous tankers in and out of port.

He was forced to retire because of ill health, and became a popular member of the Hightown community, and a dedicated member of the Bowls Team. He was also a popular and talented entertainer, doing an impromptu turn involving his head, and tin trays, until requested by the Hightown Hotel to stop ruining their trays.

Sid became an enthusiastic member of a team of dedicated volunteers, who restored the Tug “Brocklebank”, and sailed it to various “Festivals of the Sea”, up and down the country, notably at Leith, where he had spent much of his time on the Tugs. (The “Brocklebank” is now part of the Merseyside Maritime Museum and is the only sea-going vessel in any British Museum).

He and Val joined the Blundellsands Sailing Club in 2005 as social members, and attended many social functions, participating with enthusiasm. Latterly he could often be found in the Post Office in Hightown, enjoying a cup of tea with the Postmaster, and gratefully accepting the odd cake or two, brought by his many friends, even though he would try to deny such transgressions from Val.

Sid was accepted by everyone he met as a very nice man, and a thoroughly decent human being. He will be sorely missed.    DF.