COMMENT. We have reached the time of the season when activity on the water has overtaken that in the yard or the clubhouse.At least four boats are now in the Albert Dock and some are waiting to go in, having been held up by adverse weather conditions. Others are disporting themselves in several areas of the Irish Sea. Whilst sailing is the primary function of the club, life in the clubhouse goes on.

As the notes will show there was depletion in the numbers of people attending the meetings, but business was still carried out. There seems to be some reforming zeal in the air starting with the house committee defining their areas of responsibility and this is spreading to other groups doing their own job descriptions. I wonder what will happen to those tasks that nobody wants to do? Are we going to reach a Utopian State where everybody knows their place and their responsibilities and thus always carry out their allotted tasks? Instinct tells me that it may never happen, taking into account the idiosyncrasies, eccentricities and any other trait you can think of in humankind.

On a personal note I have to offer a tremendous thank you to all those people who helped in any way to make the Lifeboat Day such a huge success. It would be invidious to single out any one person, as it was a big team effort, "Thank you all" You will find details later.

SOME NOTES FROM THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING.

Apologies for absence were received from The Commodore, The Hon Treasurer, The Hon Sailing Secretary, The Hon Membership Secretary and Mr P. Wright.

THE VICE COMMODORE told the Committee that the Commodore is feeling a little better and is slowly recovering. Let us hope that he continues to regain his mobility.

The Sailing Committee did not meet this month. Phil Wright reports that the groynes are working to some extent and it may be worthwhile making some more.

Boat Insurances are still outstanding from three people. J.Leggat, N Rigby and J Laking

The committee approved the allocation of mooring S8 to Mr A Lee McGurk
.
The Club Captain reported that the chain had been replaced and that the yellow buoy was now in place.

A letter from Mr I Cowell concerning a misunderstanding about the availability of timbers was read to the committee. This misunderstanding took place before the last General Committee Meeting when a notice was put in the newsletter that some timbers are available to members at a small cost. A reply will hopefully correct the matter. There are still some timbers available a small cost and if you are interested please contact Dave Wilcox, The Vice Commodore.

THE REAR COMMODORE reported that due to a three percent rise in inflation and an increase in the minimum wage it is necessary to increase the prices in the bar. Some drinks will remain at the same price and others will increase by five pence.
At the next meeting Mike Parker will produce a draft proposal of the responsibilities of the House and Grounds Committee

Trevor Meyer has now taken charge of the Club's regalia, i.e. ties, bow ties, caps, sweat shirts T-shirts etc. Before ordering anything in quantity Trevor needs to know what type of clothing members will be most interested in buying. The logo has been decided as the club burgee, without the letters B.S.C. If you have any interest in supporting Trevor in this venture will you please speak to him and tell him what type of article you would prefer.

THE HON SECRETARY reported that he had received some correspondence and also had learned that unfortunately a member, Miss Hannah Fargher 's name and details had been omitted from the diary. This omission will be looked into. It also provoked remarks that the whole diary needs to be discussed, as there are several errors.

THE 200 CLUB DRAW.

The results of the May draw were

1st prize of £30.00 Mrs Shelagh Warren

2nd prize of £20.00 Mrs Doreen Devine

3rd prize of £15.00 Mr Eric Wilkinson.

The date of the next draw will be Friday 27th June @ approx.22.00 hours.

This will probably complete the first full year for some members who will need to renew their subscription and will receive notice from Mark. If you haven't yet joined this is a good time to do so.

THE HON. TREASURER sent a report that the club finances were in good order and he also needed to know what the committee wanted to do with the money from the Lifeboat Day.

Dave Wilcox thanked all who had helped with the day. The profits were:

£47. 00 racing entries

£434.00 from the food and stalls. This included a generous donation of £20.00
There have since been two other donations totalling £15.00.

As Southport Lifeboat (a privately funded lifeboat) has been so faithful in attendance during the years it was decided to send them a donation of £150.00.

There will be the purchase of a large folding table at a cost of about £45.00 for the clubhouse, in some way making up for the use of the clubhouse facilities on the day and the rest will go to the R N.L.I.
Another spin off from this event of course is that the bar profits were much better than the average Sunday.
Sincere thanks were offered to all who worked so hard on the day to make it a great success and indeed to all those who attended. We were also favoured by the weather.

THE HON MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY sent a report that there had been four resignations from full members F J Coyne, J Wilson, D Walker and D Coady and two O.A.P's A & L Gillies, A Savage, E & D Winstanley D Smith and T Cheyney.

There is a list of members who have been struck off for non-payment of subs posted on the board.

This month we welcome one new member Mr Martin G Dooley who was unanimously accepted in a ballot.

THE SOCIAL COMMITTEE NOTES. There are no social events planned until September.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS. David Warren asked the committee if they were interested in a concrete based wooden slatted seat, which was offered to the club from Hightown for the front of the clubhouse. The answer was of course yes.

David Warren then asked the committee to discuss responsibilities and communications within the club. The Social Committee members were unhappy that they had not been consulted about dates in the diary and they were not happy with the idea of a June event. He wishes to know who is responsible for what goes in the diary and said that the whole business needs to be sorted out. The discussion became quite heated.
In an attempt to bridge a large gap in the social life of the club and to increase club funds an offer had been made by a member, through official channels, to hold a cheese and pate evening at the end of June and this offer was accepted. However this arrangement has caused certain other members of the club to stamp their tiny feet and to display no small amount of petulance. The evening was therefore cancelled and the offer was withdrawn and will never be repeated. Oh dear Oh dear, the club is the loser!

The committee then discussed the formation of a group to be responsible for the Lifeboat events in the club. It was proposed to ask David Flynn if he would be the co-ordinator.

Bob Chamberlain said that they are still waiting for more news about the leaky roof and matters should start moving in about two weeks.
Bob would also be interested to know the identity of the person who continually moves his, Bob's, oars around in the Black Hut.

The meeting ended with the request for this notice to be placed in the newsletter.

PLEASE CLOSE AND LOCK THE GATE

As a result of members leaving the gate open non-members are driving in and then later find themselves locked in the car park This is a nuisance because they then contact the neighbours in the first house who then contacts Lorna. Lorna contacts Bill Woods who then has to turn out to open the gate and let them out. When the gate is left open non-members do not read the Private Road sign affixed to it.

R.N.L.I

Dave Flynn has asked that this should be advertised in the newsletter

There will be a coach leaving Crosby Library at 10am on Wednesday 25th June

The destination will be the Lowry Gallery and Northern War Museum in Manchester.

There are some seats available. Tickets cost £8.00

Please contact Dave Flynn 0151 929 2249

CANOES FOR SALE.

Arthur Gelder was a leader of 2nd Formby Scouts for 13 years until they ceased to exist about three years ago. He has undertaken to sell some 13ft, single seater, fibreglass canoes for them, including double bladed paddles He would prefer to sell them to young people in ones or twos rather than let the lot go to a dealer. The cost of each canoe and paddle is £20.00. (New double bladed paddles cost £26.00). Arthur will keep two at a time in his garage where they can be viewed.
If you are interested ring Arthur on 01704 875114. Cheques to The Methodist Church Elbow Lane Formby.

Albert Dock / Mersey River Festival 2003

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