COMMENT Welcome to the July edition of the newsletter. There has been a lot of activity this month with a racing return from the successful Albert Dock Visit, which was won by Mojo, The Gallon of Ale Race won by Gazelle and another race to come this weekend.
Warmest congratulations to John Tiere who had his eightieth birthday last Sunday. It was great to see two of our senior members together, Eric and John who are longstanding friends. I will try to get a photograph for the new website.

You will see the new web address above that will be our permanent address from now. Simon tells me that it is easier to use both for him and for us all, as it will be free of irritating adverts. There are pictures of the Albert Dock Visit and the June Newsletter. It also makes use of our club membership of the R.Y.A.

Commiserations to Graham Evans who seemingly unwittingly became part of a fracas in the Hightown Hotel car park last Thursday night. He has a broken arm and wrist and spent some time in hospital. He is now home and frustrated by his inactivity. What is happening to Hightown, I thought it was quiet?

The General Committee Meeting last night was quite a busy one, as you will see from the following notes. Friday evenings in the clubhouse will be different soon as Lorna has given notice that she will be leaving in September. She hopes to come back occasionally and I personally hope that she will, as many of us will miss her. We do however need a replacement steward.

This month sees the end of the first year of the 200 Club and Mark is sending out renewal reminders. Please rejoin, as this is a valuable and constant way of raising funds for the Club, which are certainly going to be needed. If you have never been a member of the 200 Club give it a try, you may be lucky.

School holidays are about to begin, indeed have begun already for those students who have finished their exams. With all this spare time I dare say that we can expect an increase in trespass and vandalism around the area of the clubhouse. There already appears to be a group who regularly use the clubhouse roof as a meeting place, gaining access by leaping from the large sandhill, in spite of the removal of the nearby post, like flying squirrels. If you see anything-untoward taking place why not call the police instead of turning a blind eye. This may prevent damage but also may avert an accident. Finally a thank you to all who have been remembering to close the gate properly on entering and leaving the grounds, it takes a little time but saves a lot of trouble for others.

If you have anything for publication in the newsletter please let me have it by the second Wednesday in the month.
Pat.

NOTES FROM THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING 8TH JULY

THE COMMODORE'S REPORT. Mike sent apologies for his absence as he was on holiday. This means that he is much recovered and will return to the fold this weekend.

THE VICE COMMODORE told the meeting that the Ranzo Race to be held this weekend will start at 0 9.00 hours and will finish at The Conway Fairway buoy. There will be about eight boats going and he will try to arrange space in the Marina. This may prove difficult however as Liverpool Yacht Club is also going there so spaces may scarce.

David Rowles has resigned as secretary to the sailing committee through ill health. Simon Markland has kindly agreed to take over the duties for the remainder of the season.

The Ranzo Race as previously mentioned will take place on 12th July with David Wilcox as OD. An alternative course has been set in case of poor weather conditions. i.e. The Outer Corporation Mark-Formby Mid Channel Marker-Egg Buoy-Finish line is the transit of Crosby buoy and the Formby Beach Marker. There may be a wait to get into the Alt.

Trevor Jones has advised that "Mystic" may be disposed of and any monies raised donated to the RNLI. A notice of sale will be placed on the board.

Dave has received donations in excess of £100 for the wood that was for sale. There is still a little left if you are interested please ask.

Martin Dooley has been allocated mooring S16.

The latest list of P.Y. Handicaps is now on the board and in the O.D's pack.

The sailing committee discussed the sharing of moorings and decided that this should be encouraged. However this must be by mutual agreement and the Yard and Berth Master must be notified. The owner of the mooring is totally responsible for the mooring and it is considered to be a private arrangement with the owner of the mooring.

EMERGENCY MOORINGS.

The sailing committee is very concerned because the emergency moorings are being abused. They are being used as "convenience moorings". Recently when a boat came off its mooring neither emergency mooring was free.

This was discussed and the question asked was what is an emergency? Chamber's Dictionary gives "an unexpected and serious happening which calls for immediate and determined action"

The General Committee made the following recommendations:

There should be ONE emergency mooring available at all times

The £10 per week fee for non-emergency use of the emergency moorings be extended to the sailing season.

If an emergency mooring is used the YBM must be notified. Bill must know what is happening to enable him to help.

AN IMPROVEMENT FOR THE NORTH SLIP

A note from the Vice Commodore.

Clever Trevor Roberts has very kindly and with great skill made a winch for use at the boatyard dinghy slip. The winch has 4 to 1 gearing and is nice and easy to use. I have tried it a couple of times and can tell you that it is a real help if you are struggling to pull your dinghy up the slip.

The winch lives in the back of the main winch housing, to where it must be returned after use.

Stand the winch hard up to the riverside of the white post above the slip. The hoop on the white post in the gravel should sit within the foot bracket on the winch. A pin is attached to the winch with a bit of cord. Slip the pin through the holes in the bracket and the hoop on the post.

The way to use the winch is obvious. It is helpful to wind one foot on the angle iron winch foot. If you need to leave the winch in position for any reason, put your dinghy lock in the pin to help to prevent the winch from disappearing.

Please don't forget to put the winch back in the main winch housing after use. DW 7/03

THE REAR COMMODORE told the meeting of Lorna's forthcoming retirement.

The bar refurbishment will continue next week. A draft proposal for the House Committee remit has been drawn up. This provoked a great deal of discussion but will now be left until the Commodore returns.

There were two requests for use of the Club premises but one was not possible due to staffing arrangements at short notice. The second was for an RNLI function to be held on 3rd September. See following advertisement. This is on Wednesday 3rd September and Members will need to be informed that the club was closed for normal purposes that night. They could however purchase tickets for the event and the bar will be open.

There will be no House Committee meeting in August.

THE HON SECRETARY. Mark had received the date for kindred clubs races and they are on the board. Copies of the Altmouth Cup application forms have been sent to kindred clubs and Liverpool Sailing Club.

Mark told the committee that the first year of the 200 Club had come to an end. More people are joining and renewal notices are going out.

The results of the June Draw were the 1st prize went to Les Martin. Colette Meadows won the 2nd prize and the 3rd prize went to D, Warren.

THE HON TREASURER reported that the last of the membership subs were now in and the club finances are in a reasonably healthy state. but we now rely on bar profits.

THE HON MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY. Stan had two prospective house members to recommend to the Committee. A ballot was held and both were unanimously voted to become members. Please welcome Jonathan Peter Davies of Formby and Yvonne James of Hightown as new House Members.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS. Phil Wright mentioned that Simon had set up a new web site as mentioned earlier and once again the address is http:/homepages.rya-online.net/blundellsandssailingclub/

The repair / rebuilding of the clubhouse roof once again came under discussion with at least six or seven differing opinions being put forward. This will be ongoing for some time and there be more definite news by next month when the Commodore is back in action.

AN EARLY DIARY DATE.FROM DAVE FLYNN ( RNLI )

Wednesday 3rd September at 8.00pm

A musical evening

The entertainment will be by Hughie Jones of The Spinners

and by Andrew Thompson and friends.

All ticket profits to the RNLI

Sadly I have to report the death of Mr F.J.P.McDowell or Mac as he was known in the yard.

Stan Warren kindly sent me this message.

Mac as he was known to everyone in the Club especially to all in the laying up yard died suddenly on Friday 27th June 2003.

Although Mac had not been well for some time his death was a shock for his family and his friends.
Mac joined the club in June 1991. His first boat was Jasmine a Pirate 18. He moved on to Eos, a Sea-wych 19, which he sold last year.

Our thoughts go to his wife Deirdre and to his Family.

Last month Arthur Gelder advertised several canoes for sale in the Newsletter. I am pleased to hear that he has now sold them all (not necessarily through the newsletter) Have you anything you would like to advertise for sale? You do get a wider audience as the newsletter goes on the website. Please let me have anything you wish to go in the newsletter by the second Wednesday in the month

It is difficult at this time to judge how many newsletters to print each month for the box in the clubhouse, sometimes there are some left over and others not enough. If you feel that you miss out get in touch with me.

WANTED

A MATURE CLUB STEWARD IS REQUIRED BY THE SAILING CLUB

EXPERIENCE IS NOT ESSENTIAL.

RELIABILITY, ENTHUSIASM AND A FRIENDLY OUTGOING ATTITUDE
ARE MORE IMPORTANT

HOURS BY ARRANGEMENT

THE CLUB IS OPEN WED. AND FRI. EVENINGS AND SUNDAY AFTERNOON
WE ALSO HOLD OCCASIONAL FUNCTIONS

DUTIES INCLUDE BAR WORK, STOCK CONTROL AND CARE TAKING.

For further information please ring DAVE WILCOX on 07741 019564
Or Carole Fielding on 0151 924 7049

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