GRAFHAM WATER SAILABILITY
NEWSLETTER
Autumn 2009

Thought for the day from the Commodore

At the dinner following our Regatta David said;

“Welcome to Grafham Water Sailability and the Grafham Water Centre. In a world where there is much discord let us be thankful that in Sailability we have much harmony.

In a world where disability is often used as a reason for not doing something, let us be glad that in Sailability every ability is valued and used for doing something.

In a world where friendships are often fleeting let us be glad that in Sailability friendships last, through good times and bad, and new friendships constantly develop.”

David Campbell, Commodore

A Visit From HRH Princess Anne

September 24th dawned sunny and dry. Our fifteenth anniversary was celebrated with about ninety of our members and invited guests gathered down at the cabins surrounded by Challengers and all our necessary equipment. We were able to invite two members from each of our Rotary Clubs who come every week to push and pull boats, plus a few RYA Sailability guests.

HRH arrived by helicopter and, after greeting the VIP invitees from the Grafham Water Centre, came down to chat to our members. Jack and Bobby presented her with a bouquet.

After a tour of the Centre site HRH unveiled a plaque celebrating the opening of the new facilities at the Grafham Water Centre and our fifteen year liaison with them.

Grafham Water Sailability History

Fifteen years ago Judi Figgures was introduced to the Challenger by Gavin Davies at Fairlands Water sports in Stevenage. She had been a very successful, experienced sailor before a spinal injury and MS forced her into a wheelchair. The Grafham Water Centre agreed to store it there and launch it when required. Along came Rodney Lockyer and David Campbell – the latter a sailing instructor. A few years later Roy Beard, Robin Gumbrell, Marcia Carpenter and Annette Gray arrived on the scene plus some more members and Sailability Grafham Water was formed as a charity. Later to become Grafham Water Sailability, later still to change to a Company Limited by Guarantee, though still a charity.

We had hot drinks and homemade cakes served from the back of Judi’s car in all weathers with no shelter whatsoever. Over the years funds have been raised for new Challengers, our golf buggy, a power boat, hoists, pontoon, clothing etc plus annual insurance and running costs.

Our local Rotary Clubs joined forces and produced a cabin, decorated it, put in electrics and gave us a wonderful warm and dry base. They now volunteer four members from thirteen different clubs each week to help with the boats, launching and catching and generally being fantastic. We could not manage without them.

The cabin has been transformed by our “Cabin Mistress” Wendy. She has fitted it out with the cupboards and coffee making equipment, regular doughnuts and bacon butties for the helpers. Far more civilised than we used to be!

The Grafham Water Centre have supported us throughout this transformation, supplying staff and power boats when we are stuck, food and accommodation for our regattas, moving the pontoon when the water levels vary and hosting our birthday celebrations.

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS

Our New Cabin

Our original cabin was bulging at the seams with clothing and equipment stored in one end and loads of members sheltering from the elements at the other. The committee decided to search for another cabin. The GWC was coming to the end of the building works and the contractors cabin became available. Funds had been raised so we were able to purchase it and have it delivered to a temporary position. Eric finally obtained planning permission and we could position it – but how? Fortunately four Rotarians from Kettering were helping on that day and were just the people to ask. They volunteered the knowledge, contacts and the manpower. After a great deal of their hard work with concrete footings, a crane and loads of clearing of the contents of the cabin they succeeded in placing it perfectly. Magic!

Roger’s carpentry has given us hanging rails and storage for sails and a work area, John Figgures has installed the electrics. Wendy bore the brunt of the re-organisation and Ray has promised to sort the drainage so we shall not be paddling in mud next season.

Well done everyone involved with the project and Thank You

Fund Raising

Without the generosity of local companies, local Councils, Sponsors and Rotary Clubs we would not exist. It costs us about £6,000 per year with insurance, boat maintenance, engine servicing etc.

Our members travel around the area to give talks, accept cheques and represent us at Country Fairs and open days. They also do a lot of letter writing and form filing. This takes a lot of effort.

Eddie and family have worked hard to sort out the gift aid forms and has collected £2,532 back from the Government from several years membership and donations.

If anyone has ideas for raising money to keep us afloat please let Eric know via the GWS e-mail address. He is our Fundraising Co-ordinator.

Ian’s Day on Scott Bader

I had known about the Scott Bader for some years, I now had an opportunity to sail in her. The boat is a catamaran designed by paraplegic Mike Woods so that the disabled could enjoy sailing. It has beds and toilets which are accessible. The wheel and winches for jib and mainsail are accessible. There is a skipper for every voyage.
I joined the boat at Port Solent, Portsmouth. The jetty is easily accessible but the ramp into the boat is steep and wheelchair users need assistance. The main cabin is accessible and level, you can wheel alongside the table, sink and cooking hob. Some wheelchair users can get onto the bench.

The winds were not very strong, about force 4, we sailed past the Naval Dockyard. The 1805 shape of Victory contrasted with the late 20th Century shape of HMS Daring. Westward and then across to the Isle of Wight. We anchored for an hour below Osborne House, a huge container ship passed.

Afterwards, we sailed towards Ryde and then back to Portsmouth. The winds were still not strong – I was not able to test the stability of my wheelchair in strong winds. I never tried to operate the sail winches. Back in Port Solent I asked to see the heads and bunks. A lift took me down to the heads, at the bottom I had to turn 90º, that was difficult because of the small space and because my feet stick out forward so much. My right knee will not bend as much as normal because of a ski accident fracture. I needed help to turn 90º and get to the toilet seat. Others should have less problems. I did not get on or off the toilet seat but thought it was possible.

I was not able to try the transfer onto a bed because the other lift was not working, it had been working earlier that day.

For me a one or two day voyage would be practical. For the more mobile disabled a longer voyage would be practical. I would enjoy that greatly and with planning it could be possible.

My day voyage was arranged by
The Gwennili Trust, telephone 01489 860552

Voyages can also be arranged by contacting RORO Sailing Project
53 Wych Lane
Gosport
Hants PO13 0TA
Tel 01329 317279

Ian Barrowman

Winter Lunches

The Axe and Compass in Hemingford Abbots seems to be very popular as it has easy wheelchair access and a whole variety of food with good prices.

Dates; Nov 5th, Dec 3rd, Jan 7th, Feb 4th, March 4th
Time 12.30 ish

To find the Axe;
A14 towards Cambridge
Take the slip to Hemingford Abbots.
1st left,
T junction right
T junction right and the pub is on the left.

There is a car park at the back, access is tight but go slowly to the pub, turn left round it and the access to the car park is down the side of the building. There is road parking too.

All our Rotarian helpers are most welcome to join us.

Dates For Your Diary
29th October Last sailing day
5th November Lunch
28th November AGM
3rd December Lunch

2010
7th January Lunch
4th February Lunch
4th March Lunch
25th March Boat Cleaning
1ST APRIL SAILING STARTS

Annual General Meeting
Date 28th November
Place Grafham Water Centre, Perry
Time Lunch at 12.30pm
AGM commences at 2pm
Notices will be sent separately. Please let Judi know (her contact information will be on the invitation) if you would like to join us for lunch.

Subscriptions

At the AGM there will be a recommendation to raise fees as the income goes nowhere near covering our running costs.
The proposals are;
Full membership £45
Under 18 £22.50
Associate £2
Group £135
Under 18 Group £67.50
Group membership will have a limit of once a month except for the under 18s groups who can only come during the school holidays.

The Number System for the Order of Sailing

As you are all aware we have had to introduce a number system for an order of sailing – rather like those in supermarket Deli counters! This is due to our success in recruiting new sailors. We regularly have thirteen sailors requiring buddies and some times only two or three buddies around. Our group interest has also increased and David and Jane go out three times with the Longboat taking up to eight crew and their carers each afternoon. All our boats are out with individual sailors or buddies, so sometimes there can be a long wait.

There is one consolation, we now have a brilliant cosy cabin and a warm welcome from Wendy and her team of helpers. A far cry from the back of Judi’s car.

Boat Sponsorship

We are always concerned about having a regular income to cover our insurance costs and one way to help is to sell advertising space on the sponsons of the challengers.

If anyone knows of a company who would like to put their logo on the sides of the Challengers and promise to contribute £100 a year for several years. We would be very grateful to hear from them.

The challengers are trailed all over the British Isles for regattas and they are also viewed by many visitors attending courses and conferences at the Grafham Water Centre.

If anyone is interested please contact Annette via the GWS e-mail address.