The Altmouth Cup 2006 - Sailing Instructions and Entry Form

JUNE 2006

Editor's Notes Since the last newsletter I have been absent from the club until last week. Interesting to find out what had been happening whilst I was away and to catch up on some of the news. We now have twenty-two chairs extra in the clubhouse, they look very good, and when the upholstery is done, to match the existing chairs they will be very comfortable. You can see one sample completed.

The new cooker was delivered, wrong one, a pity that Mark had to give up a day's holiday in vain. A new date has been fixed. The May Bank Holiday Races were not sailed due to awful weather. If it is any consolation, the South Coast was in the same fix. I was in Brixham and the Marina there was full of people unable to sail, although it must be said that some boats never move from the pontoons. What are they for? Read the Sailing Committee notes for more information on racing. Now of course we have the hot sunny weather but even now the wind, whilst not unpleasant to those on shore, is often too strong for some of the several boats from the clubhouse on holiday to complete their plans. It pays to be flexible. The Ranzo Race took place last weekend but no results are to hand.

The club's big event of the year to raise funds for the RNLI will take place on Sunday 25 th starting at 11.00am due to the tides. We need all the help we can get both physical and material, see further on in the newsletter for details .

It is good to see new boats going into the water. In an effort to help new members to get to know the river, there will be a get together for anyone interested on Wednesday 21 st June in the clubhouse. This will be an informal evening of chat and a good opportunity to ask questions and to learn of the tricky ins and outs.

The contraption in view from the clubhouse is evidently laying foundations for the wind turbines. I didn't realise that the Burbo Bank was so far down the river. Those who were at the presentation meeting in the clubhouse, given by the company responsible were told that the blades would be high enough to constitute no danger to small boats, it appears that the blades are much lower than we were lead to expect. We shall see, no doubt.

The General Committee met on Tuesday the 13 th June. The following are notes from that meeting .

Apologies for non attendance were received from The Commodore, Phil Wright and A.Roe. Carole Fielding the Vice Commodore was in the chair.

There was no Commodore's Report.

The Sailing Committee Notes

Present : Carole Fielding, Phil Wright, Dave Ward, Ian Cowell, Kieron Riley, Graham Cumming, Martin Dooley, Simon Markland.

Apologies : Peter Williams, John Newton, Andy Lee-McGurk.

Amelia - No statement of insurance has been submitted to YBM. General committee's approval for a letter requesting removal of the boat will be sought.

A 2 nd letter was sent to J.Brown and repair work has subsequently been started, though there were comments raised that the fence posts were being positioned in the wrong place. Carole Fielding will have a word with Mr.Brown.

Phil Wright has had an initial discussion with Pope's with regard to the extension of the launch slip. When plans are complete a proposal will be made to the General Committee with a view to the work being carried out in July/August.

Kieron Riley proposed that 2 telegraph poles be sited up river of the launch slip; the pole would have height markings and could be used for a number of purposes. They would be installed as part of the slip extension work.

The Wednesday evening talk on cruising and racing will take place on 21 st June subject to approval by House Committee. The format will be informal discussion rather than a lecture; CF will arrange speakers to prompt discussion will place a poster in the clubhouse. Simon Markland will put a poster in the clubhouse.

A list will be drawn up for inclusion in the new joiner pack of experienced members, with contact details, who are willing to assist new members. This will be a "buddy" system with the experienced member advising on any aspect of club membership and sailing from the Alt.

Adverse weather prevented any of the May Bank-Holiday races from taking place; various alternative dates were identified as being suitable albeit that they will not be consecutive days.

Possible dates: 17/6, 24/6, 1/7, 2/7, 15/7, 30/7 12/8.

Notification will be given to allow maximum participation .

The RYA O.D. training was thought to be worthwhile and the committee were pleased with the large turn out.

As there was no clear guide from the RYA or the O.D. training with regards to single-handed racing it will be allowed to continue .

O.D.'s for the rest of the season will be selected at random from those members who have said they are willing to carry out the duty. The draw will take place at the discussion evening on 21/6.

Two amendments will be made to club racing instructions with immediate effect for all races, (except the Altmouth Cup, which will have its own specific instructions:

• The wearing of a life jacket is required at all times during the course of the race by all participants.

• The races will start with a 5:4:1:Go count -

• 5 Minutes before start - Sound signal and flag displayed on O.D. boat.
• 4 Minutes before start - Sound signal, all engines must be off.
• 1 Minute before start - sound signal.
• Go - Sound signal and flag removed.

The penalty for a false start was discussed and it was agreed that no amendment would be made to current practice for this season but would be further debated at a later date.

Next meeting will be at 20:00 on Tuesday, 4 July at the clubhouse.

The Rear Commodore's Report

House & Grounds Commmittee Report - Tuesday, 13 th June 2006 .

Clubhouse .

Bar General.

Monthly Bar Report - The annual bar takings monthly report up to the week commencing 5 th June 2006 were circulated to the General Committee Members.

Bar prices - The Bar Sub-Committee met on Friday, 9 th June in order to carry out a review of the current bar prices and have recommended an increase of 5 percent due to the increase in purchase costs to the Club, but the cost of some items will remain unchanged.

The price increase will come into force immediately.

This is the first bar price increase since February 2004.

Cooler - One of the existing coolers behind the bar is no longer working and it would not be cost effective to have it repaired. Costings for a replacement unit are being looked into by members of the House Committee.

Real Ale - It has been suggested that for the weekend of the RNLI Open Day later this month that your House and Grounds Committee make available over the bar some Real Ale.

Always being susceptible to new ideas and suggestions this proposal is being investigated.

So keep you eye on the bar with regards to what beers are on offer on Friday, 23 rd June - Sunday, 25 th June.

Projects.

Porch/Foyer - Work is ongoing within this area and it is scheduled to be completed in July.

Central metal support beam ceiling area - Arrangements are in place to complete the work in encasing this area in wood panelling.

Replacement Cooker - The new range cooker was supposed to be supplied and fitted on Tuesday, 6 th June, but the suppliers turned up with the incorrect type of model - Dual Fuel as opposed to the ordered Gas only. Hopefully, the correct cooker will be installed during the week commencing 12 th June.

Additional Chairs - The House and Grounds Committee have been looking around for additional chairs for the Clubhouse as there is a shortage of our own available with regard to Club Social events and Private Club Bookings.

We are happy to report that the Club has been able to obtain 22 wooden chairs and 4 stools at a favourable cost. Thanks are expressed to Mr Ted Arch and Mr David Warren for sourcing these for your Club.

Patio Area - With the summer months upon us members of the House and Grounds Committee are investigating suitable furniture for the patio area.

Club Private Bookings.
Mrs Shirley Burns, Saturday 19 th August 2006 - Wedding Reception .

AOB

Wanted thoughts/ideas - Your House and Grounds Committee thought it would be a good idea to identify a suitable "House and Grounds Project" to help celebrate the Club's Centenary in 2007. The idea being to help identify a project and carry out some of the ground work for the 2007 Committee to pick up and take forward.

Suggestions to date :

Centenary Gate
Tarmac part of the clubhouse road or inner dinghy Park

So if you have an idea that could help improve your Clubhouse or Grounds that would make a suitable project, please contact either the Rear Commodore or a Member of the House and Grounds Committee.

All constructive suggestions will be looked into. Ideas about what could be done with The Commodore, Vice, Rear and the General/House Committee's have been heard before and failed!

200 Club Monthly Draw.

Prize winners of the May draw :

1 st Prize of £60.00 - Number 118, Mr John Lorentz.
(Includes prize money of £30.00 carried over from April Draw)

2 nd Prize of £20.00 - Number 52, Mrs Elizabeth Sales.

3 rd Prize of £15.00 - Number 46, Mrs Barbara Smith

The draw was kindly carried out by Mr Mark Corns on Friday, 26 th May.

Date of next scheduled draw : Friday, 30 th June 2006

The Hon Treasurer 's notes

All is well financially with club funds. All subs are in and the proposed extension to the slip etc can be afforded. Dave was given palpitations when he received an electricity bill after the last meter reading in the clubhouse for £30,000 pounds. A mistake of course as we prove to be in credit!

The Hon Secretary has dealt with all correspondence and put relevant notices on the board.

The Liverpool Clippers return on 29 th July and not as in the diary. Two people from this club were asked to help with the tying up and Mark and Martin will be there. They will also invite the crew of the Victoria to visit the clubhouse although some will be different people from the ones who visited before the race. Not everybody did all the legs. There will be more about this at a later date.

The Hon Membership Secretary told the committee that six members are leaving the club. There have been House Member interviews and the following people were recommended to the General Committee for membership and were elected unanimously.

Gillian M Thompson of Hightown, Stephen and Karen Redfern of Blundellsands and Thomas Kay of Hightown. Please make them welcome if you meet them.

Carole closed the meeting.

Newsletters by e mail

If you would like to receive a copy of the club newsletters by e mail will you please send me an e mail with your address, some have been lost due to me losing bits of paper or not being able to read addresses properly. Back to school!! My address is at the top of page 1. Several members now receive their copies electronically.

RNLI RACE DAY

YOU ARE INVITED TO AN OPEN DAY AT

THE BLUNDELLSANDS SAILING CLUB
The Foreshore
Hightown
On Sunday, 25 th June at 11am

Barbecue

Tombola

Raffle

Bric-a-Brac

Refreshments

Bar

RNLI Souvenir Stall

Visit of the Lifeboatmen

(expected about Noon)

To get the above day off to a good start and to make it successful we need YOUR help early.

If you can help to get ready, run stalls or games donate prizes for Tombola and Raffle or bring your bric a brac white elephants, books, plants please contact Dave Flynn or Pat Heyworth. Any help of any kind will be appreciated.