January 2003

COMMENT . My best wishes to you all for the coming year for health and happiness. The year has started well; two meetings have already taken place. It promises to be a year of change and could be quite exciting. The Christmas party went with a great swing and was very enjoyable. I have not had any reports about the New Year's Eve get together. It was good to meet Carl, home for Christmas and his birthday and also to see Yvonne who was well enough to organise Carl's party. I hear that Sam Hartley is out of hospital and is improving at home. Best wishes to Sam and to any other club members who may be feeling unwell.

The changes of course involve a new Commodore, Vice and Rear Commodore. Congratulations to all of them. A further change is that for the first time we have a female Flag Officer. There are new committee members, as you will see in the following reports. This promises to be a very busy year for all of them and for all the other Club Officers. What do you expect of your officers and committee members? Furthermore what part do you expect to play yourself as a club member? I feel that I can ask those questions at this time of new resolution for the coming months.

Already in our third week of January the weather has thrown a bit of everything at us. Some boat owners have continued working in the yard when possible. The days do appear to have lengthened a little and although the weather may be miserable it is a time in which we can look forward to better and brighter things. Good sailing to all.

THE GENERAL COMMITTEE. The Committee consists of the Commodore, M.W.Kennan. The Vice Commodore D.Wilcox. The Rear Commodore Carole Fielding. The Hon.Secretary M.S.Meadows. The Hon Treasurer D.N.Griffiths . The Hon Membership Secretary S Warren. The Hon Sailing Secretary D Rowles. The Club Captain A Roe. The Yard and Berthing Master W.R.Woods. The General Committee Members are R Chamberlain. P Heyworth D Warren and P.G.Wright.

The Commodore opened the meeting by offering a warm welcome to all those present and especially to Carole as the Club's first lady flag officer. He thanked all the officers who are again serving on the committee and and also the general member who have been elected.
Mike's objectives are that by the end of winter all the slips will be sorted and that all committee members will be involved in the running of the club in a more direct way. To that end Bob Chamberlain was asked to be responsible for club renovation for which he will form a sub committee. This is a large job and he will also have the help of Phil Wright. Phil will also be keeping an eye on the sea wall and what work will be needed. David Warren is already very successful in his role as merchandising officer for the wine and will continue. I will continue to write the newsletter with the added bonus of a voting right this year!

Dave Wilcox will undertake work on the slip, fill in the middle of the dinghy slip and add some sort of winch. Alan Roe will look into extending the moorings on a trot towards the yard. Mike told the Committee that Maggie Kennan (Madame Commodore) has kindly agreed to organise the Social Committee.

A notice has been placed in the Daily Post for the owner of the yacht Cathy (still in the yard) to get in touch with the club. If this fails there will be another attempt in March and then a decision will be made about its disposal as the space is needed.

The Vice Commodore reported on the Sailing Committee Meeting. The Sailing Committee consists of Dave Wilcox. Dave Rowles. Alan Roe Bill Woods Austin Bridges. John Heyworth and Peter Williams.
Arrangements for work on the slips are progressing with Formby Welding and Pope Brothers.
The date of the Commodore's Cruise/Rattray Race/Dee Visit has been fixed for 26th May.
The Spring Working Party will be held on Saturday 12th April.
Other fixtures will be made at the next meeting. A working party is needed to mend the road on Saturday 25th January at 10.30 am.

The Yard and Berth Master Bill told the committee that the following moorings had been applied for and would be allocated subject to approval by the committee. N28 to A McDonough. N3 to Peter Williams.and N8 to Ian Cowell. All were approved. Bill said that N32 is no longer occupied and will be re allocated. Is your mast still up in the yard? This bye law No 17 is being flouted and will therefore be amended as great nuisance is caused to those living nearby.

Bill told the meeting that around £400 is needed for repairs to the winch in the yard.
Alan Roe gave the date of the Mersey River Festival June 14th. This is usually the time for the Albert Dock Visit. It may be necessary for boats to go in earlier because of very small tides. He will contact the people to see if the gates can be opened earlier before a visit can be arranged.

The Rear Commodore Carole reported that she had held a House Committee Meeting. The House Committee consists of D Warren. D Wilcox. T Mayers. S Warren. .D Flynn K. Riley and S Parker.
There is a problem with unauthorised people opening our access gate and the black hut. Sadly this is due to club members failing to snap the lock shut after they have let themselves through the gate.

With the lock left hanging open the combination is obvious to anyone and is clearly now well known.
We have had one incident of tyre dumping. If another occurs because we have left the gate open the club will have to pay the considerable removal charge. A closed gate also helps to maintain our road surface. We have also had to evict a gang of local youths from the black hut where they have been holding drinks etc parties. They thoughtfully relocked the hut each time but have made a mess inside, they risked setting fire to the hut with the multitude of candles they were using.. The new number will be posted with your membership renewal.

Please help to maintain our security by snapping the lock shut behind you and moving at least one number on the lock, even if you are just nipping down for a minute or two. It only takes a moment, but that moment could save a good deal of trouble and expense.
We now have two display coolers for behind the bar when it is refurbished.

The Hon Secretary. Mark has dealt with a good deal of correspondence. The dates of live firing on the Rifle Range and other correspondence is on the board. He has sent invitations to all the relevant guests for the Fitting Out Dinner. The club will be represented at Liverpool Cathedral and on board the Eaglet for the anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic 4th May.

There is a Sefton Coastal Forum to be held on 8th February. National Windpower have received permission to erect a windfarm on the North Hoyle.

The December Draw was held at the Christmas Party. The prize money was doubled and the lucky winners were; 1st prize £60 00 Lesley Needham. 2nd prize £40 00 Tim Astbury
3rd £30.00 A.E Wright.

Mark said that there are 120 numbers allocated and any new subscribers will be gladly welcomed. This is a good and steady way of adding to the club funds. Who knows, you might be lucky.

Mark is hoping to arrange for a talk to be held in the clubhouse about the Hood and the Bismarck. No date is fixed yet. Dave Wilcox is also hoping to arrange a talk about Southport inshore Lifeboat . These will be for Wednesday evenings and Dave would like a monthly feature. If you have any ideas why not let us know.

The Hon Membership Secretary. Stan told the committee that three people had been interviewed after applying to join the club. They were recommended to the General Committee as potential suitable members. Derek Bowker as a full member, Peter A Corbishly as a House member and Alan Salter as a Full member. All committee members were in favour of their acceptance and will you please make them feel welcome when they are in the Clubhouse.

The Fitting Out Supper will be held on Saturday 1st February. A working party will be needed to put out the tables at 11am on the morning to put out the tables.
The cost is £18.00 and quite a number of names are already in. Stan would like cheques before the date if possible. Stan WILL NOT accept money on the night. Please pay early.

The Ladies Evening will be held on the same evening. See Social Notes.

Further discussions took place about the diary. Not very many forms have been returned with details of what you would like to be entered. If you are unhappy with any proposals now is the time to tell Stan about it.

Social Notes. Maggie has chosen a social committee to help her. They are as follows. J Astbury. J Bowman. P Carrol. J Griffiths .S McCloud and S Warren.
No new dates can be fixed until the Sailing dates are completed.

The Ladies Evening will be held in the Hightown Hotel. meet at 7.30pm 1st February. There is a notice on the board to that effect. Any ladies wishing to attend please put your names on the list by Wednesday 29th January. The Hotel will need to know about numbers.

Any other business. There is a need for a new wheelbarrow for work around the clubhouse. Dave Warren got permission to buy one.

Rule 9d. There is a misnomer in the diary. An amendment will be made and the rule will be put on the notice board.

DATES TO NOTE.

25th January 10.30.am Road Mending Party.

1st Feb at 11.am working party to put out tables for evening.

1st Feb. Fitting Out Supper and Ladies Evening

Sun 23rd March Boat Jumble 10 am take Jnct 18 on M6 Cheshire.

12th April. Spring Working Party.

26th May Commodore,s Cruise

14th June Mersey River Festival.

The Commodore closed the meeting.

BOAT NAMES. As we get new boats into the club it is interesting to look at the names of boats and to wonder how the names were given and what they mean. Some are quite obvious, for instance Scoter was chosen because the class of the boat is a Wild Duck. Can anyone let me have any information about the name of their boat for further publication.

This leads me on to say that on later pages you will find an article very kindly sent to me by Ian Cowell about buying a new boat. Ian has recently gathered quite a bit of experience in this field any I thank him for sharing it with us.

"BSC YARD CHANGES 2002!"

By no stretch of the imagination can the Blundellsands Sailing Club be described as moribund! To those of us who have observed the comings and goings of boats through the Yard this year it has been one of almost frenetic activity. Seasoned "Yard Watchers" like William R Woods, our esteemed Yard & Berthing Master, Ted McGregor, his Master-at-Arms, Peter Williams, Winch Overseer, Mike Parker, Publisher of Wise Saws and Witty Puns [has also been know to drop the odd crate of ale into the River Alt], et al, have been left breathless by number of boats in the Yard that have changed hands this year. Indeed, it might be easier to count on the fingers of one's hands those Members who have NOT changed their boats.

It all seemed to start with Joe Coady and John Lorentz. After going through agonies of whether he should re-engine his beloved Sadler 25 "Textor" or purchase a new boat Joe went for the latter option. "Textor" now graces the Solway Firth and Joe & Gwyneth's splendid new Sadler 26 "Cirrus" takes a pride of place in the Yard.

Meanwhile, John Lorentz, after selling his cherished Trident 24 "Tilly Mint" to Ian Cowell finally settled, after a twelve months search, on a fine example of a Tomahawk 25 which he obtained from Hayling Island and has renamed "Manana". It is also good to see Paul Middleton-Jones Tomahawk 25 "Windless" has moved into the Yard. It was then Ray Downey's turn to sell his Vivacity 20 "Curlew" in order to purchase a pretty and well equipped "Miss Crisp" a Macwester Rowan with an inboard diesel engine.

Edward Wilde's Elizabeth 23 "Kittiwake" changed hands and after some sterling work by its new owner was launched during the Summer and sailed over to the Dee. F. J. P McDowell (Mac) hung up his sailing boots when he sold his Seawych 19 "Eos" through Preston Marina. "Eos" was only there two days when it was snapped-up by a prudent buyer. Likewise, John Seagrave who had sold his Trident 24 "Magie Laur" to Ian Lloyd and purchased the Seawych 19 "Sophie" from W Slade, decided to move on again. He put "Sophie" on brokerage with Preston Marina and has now bought the Seamaster 23 "Motley Crew" from John Needham

. Meanwhile, John Needham surprised us all by purchasing a Moody 33 "Singing Wind" from Liverpool Marina and - not without some excitement it has to be said - hauling her into the Yard. It is also reported that John Hall who dominated the Club's sailing programme this year in his Gem 18 "Little Mischief" is to sell her on through Preston Marina. However, so as not to disappoint participants in the next seasons sailing events, John has, in the interim, purchased another Gem 18 from the Wirral, which he keeps at home. For the time being "Little Mischief" sits on a "fold-up" trailer (those in the know will appreciate what I mean) occupying the space formerly filled by John's Manzanita ¼ ton "Mischief" which he has sold on.

After much deliberation Bob Chamberlain decided that, like Ray Downey, he too wanted a boat with an inboard diesel engine. Bob sold his exceptionally fine example of a bilge-keeled Hurley 22 "Astramare" - previous owner Arthur Mount - through Preston Marina to a couple of doctors' from the Rhyl Sailing Club and bought "Tilly Mint", which has a fine Bukh 10hp diesel engine, from Ian Cowell. Meanwhile Ian Cowell -though not to be found in the same league in regard to boat purchases as Jim Connell and John Seagraves - bought from the Hamble (Alan McDonough's "Serendipity" and Joe Coady's "Cirrus" hail from there) a pretty Hunter Duette 23 which is now named "Nimrod". Like a number of the members listed above, Ian threatens that this will be his last boat!

Now in case, dear reader, you think this litany of disposals has ended let me assure you it has not! Trefor and Lynne Roberts after much cajoling, indeed it could more properly be described as harassment, eventually sold their Sadler 25 "Kaos" to John Newton. John Newton and Eddie Bradshaw you may recall jointly purchased from Spike Island, Widnes, the Dutch built Victoire 25 "Mahala" which is now solely owned by Eddie. And what about Trefor and Lynne Roberts? Well, as you have probably guessed, they promptly went out and bought another boat! To be precise they bought a 1992 Hunter Horizon 21 from Newhaven. Trefor and Lynne seem to have a "nose" for good boats and this Horizon is no exception.

Another of our members,Dr Geoff Welsh, had decided to move his Dufour 1800 Edge of the Wind from the Alt to Holyhead for the season. However on arrival at Holyhead he succumbed to the charms of J.S.and J.D Wilson's classic Contessa 32 Kiribilli and he put Edge of the Wind on brokerage. By all accounts Kiribilli sails like a dream and Geoff is delighted with her. And no, our Commodore Mike Kennan has not disposed of his current boat "Tarka II". After being re-engined last year "Tarka II" is getting a little cosmetic work done on her in the Douglas Boatyard in order to make her fit to carry the "bar" over to Hilbre Island on the occasion of the "Commodore's Cruise" in 2003.

You may also be surprised to learn that, after occupying Yard space for so many years, Ian Ligertwood's Tucker 24 "Alicat II" (which older members may recall was recovered from Formby Point some years ago) has been removed from the Yard. "Alicat II" was spirited away on the back of a Hyab a few weeks ago for some remedial work. In addition Paul Conalty (he and his Father are still hard at work on "Patnor" which they hope to launch next season) sold his Signet 20 "Jonimo" (previous owner our Commodore, Mike Kennan) to Andrew Lee- McGurk. "Jonimo" is an attractive looking boat with a lovely conventional sheer.

Perhaps because of all this activity our Yard and Berthing Master, William R Woods, crowned the years events by selling his Mirage 28 "Parergon" to Graham Upright and purchasing from Port Madoc a Colvic Watson 26 Motor Sailer complete with wheelhouse! In future, it seems, we will find our Yard and Berthing Master cruising about the Irish Sea encapsulated in the wheel house of his sturdy craft, a Leyland four cylinder diesel engine pulsing away beneath him, his Breton cap worn at a jaunty angle, his feet shod in carpet slippers and kept warm by an Eberspacher diesel heater, with a steaming hot mug of Oxo cupped casually in his hands, while his vessel ploughs through sylvan seas to its GPS driven destination. Might it be that William R Woods has found the sort of cruising Nirvana that many of us are seeking and would like to emulate? I've tasted a little of this sort of cruising and its good!

Ian Cowell

Ravenglass

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