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Mainsheet - January 2000
Happy New Year &
Welcome to the year 2000
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Happy New Year &
Welcome to the year 2000 |
Nick Brown
A tribute by Richard Field
It was with great sadness that we learnt of the sudden death of Nick Brown just after Christmas.
Nick, in anyones terms, was a very talented man. Whatever subject he was interested in, he was always able to complement it and add value.
In business he had that unique quality of providing solutions to complex issues. Yet he was very modest about his achievements and this sometimes inhibited the opportunity of capitalizing on his hard work. He was often upset by those who were unable to display the same open and honest approach to life as him.
Sailing was one of Nicks loves; he was considered an elder statesman of the ODC, having joined the club many years ago. His contribution has been outstanding being one of the longest serving members of the committee. Nick helped to guide the club through many difficult decisions during his tenure as Racing Officer. He always balanced racing with safety and fun and, whilst his views were not always universally accepted at the time he was inevitably proved to be right.
Members respected Nicks knowledge of the techniques of sailing and he was often asked for his opinion which he willingly took time to explain. He would never venture onto the water unless it was blowing at least force 3 and rising.
Commodores past and present have relied on his contribution and the club will undoubtedly miss his presence.
Nick was a private person, some would say shy, and he never suffered fools gladly but engage him on subjects such as politics, authority, education and taxes and he could be very articulate and very convincing.
We will miss his words of wisdom and advice; above all he was one of lifes genuine, caring people. Our hearts and thoughts go out to Jane, Pippa, Christopher and Diana at this time, as we share with them the loss of a friend, a father and a husband.
Nick, God bless you, and thank you for being such a good friend to us all.
Looking Back
The winter months are comparatively quiet for the small
boat sailor, but we had a very enjoyable Dinner Dance on 6 November and several
hardy members turned up at the clubhouse on Boxing Day for a sip of hot punch
and mince pies.
The numbers attending the dance were down this time, possibly because of the early date and proximity to firework evenings. All those who attended enjoyed the event (at least all those from whom I have heard an opinion!). We are now looking to book for our year 2000 Dinner Dance, so if you have views or suggestions you wish to make now is the time. Talk to Martin Solomon (Tel 01903 787009), me or any Committee Member.
Looking Forward
As the days start to get a little longer the prospect of a new sailing season becomes more of a reality, so this Mainsheet looks forward to the AGM and the season that follows. The programme for the season may change in detail as the year progresses, but it is published in full here so you can mark up your diaries well in advance.
In particular we would like to get as many members and their boats turned out on Saturday 17 June for Millenium Madness. We will be photographing our fleet (possibly with aerial photographs), and there will be a Hog Roast or similar beachside social event in the evening. Further sailing events will be held on the Sunday. This should be a memorable midsummer weekend - keep it free.
AGM
The AGM will be in the Conservative Hall, East Preston on 6 February at 14.30, a formal notice of this event and nomination form for club officers is attached.
If you wish to raise a particular subject at this, the main formal meeting of the ODC membership, please submit your topic to Nick Croston (Tel 01903 787135) by 29 January so that it can be included on the Agenda. Nominations for committee members must also be made by this date.
Four members of the current committee intend to stand down so there are several vacancies. If you would like more involvement in the running and decision making of the club please come forward. If you would like to contact me, I will be pleased to talk to you about the workings of the committee and jobs that are currently available.
Racing and Race Officers
Racing in the ODC is not intended to be a fiercely competitive activity and has never been an end in itself. It is there to add to the enjoyment of sailing by providing a focus, and its first aims are enjoyment and safety. As many of the members do not normally race it has been normal to recruit race officers from those who race regularly, but this means that if you do not have a history of race participation you do not get a chance to serve as race officer.
If you are thinking of joining in the racing, but are unsure
of what is involved one way of getting to know more is to work with a race
officer on a race day, perhaps assisting with the timing of the boats around
the course. Anyone who would like to participate in this way can approach a
race officer on a race day, or for any enquiry relating to racing speak to
Grahame Woods (Tel 01903 242153).
Commodore Date: 16 January 2000
ODC Programme - Year 2000
Race
Officers
6 February 14.30 AGM, Conservative Hall
1/2 April Compound Cleaning Weekend
23 April Easter Sunday Cruise - Depart 10.30
Mono's 11.00 Cats
Lunch at Sea Lane Cafe,
Goring
7 May 10.30 Race Grahame
& Andrew Woods
21 May 10.30 Race Mark
& Peter Wilton
4 June 10.30 Race John
Hammond, John Ford
17/18 June Millennium Madness
Saturday night Hog Roast
Sunday Races 11.00 Alan & Michael
Welman
14.30 Ian
Finlayson, Rex Wilton
24/25 June Dart 15 Open C
Rickard, P Harwood
Saturday night BBQ
2 July 14.00 Race C
Smith, J Frake
16 July 14.00 Race Lez Wearne,
Paul Careless
30 July 14.30 Race Peter
Atkey, Philip Bellis
6 August 14.00 Race Roger Prew,
Alan Kauffman
13 August 14.30 Race Derek
Edwards, Zoe Steele
20 August Cruise to Climping - Depart 11.00 Monos,
11.30 Cats
26/27 Aug Calshott Weekend organised by Fred Young
3 Sept 11.00 Race M
Solomon, P Roberts
17 Sept 11.00 Race A Woods,
D Willoughby
NOTIFICATION OF
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE OPEN DINGHY CLUB 2000
The meeting will be held at the Conservative Hall, East Preston on the afternoon of Sunday 6th February 2000, commencing at 2.30 p.m.
Nominations for either Officers or Committee members are required by Nick Croston to arrive no later than 28 January 2000.
The nomination must be made on the lower part of this form signed by the proposer and seconder, who must be Full or Associate members of the ODC.
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NOMINATION FORM FOR
THE ELECTION OF COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS
FOR THE OPEN DINGHY CLUB 2000
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Send to: Nick Croston,
Timbers, 15 Seaview Road, East Preston, BN16 1LX