Mainsheet September 2001

Hi Folks,

Here we are in mid September with the evenings drawing in and quite a nip in the air, a far cry from the lovely summer days we experienced throughout August. It was great to see the younger members taking to the water in their toppers during the summer holidays, in fact I think Martin must be considering running some junior races next year. We are fortunate to have been given a table tennis table by Laura and Phillip from The Forge, which has been well used over the holidays. If anybody wishes to have a game during the evenings, it folds down very easily, of course we will have to stow it away when we store the safety boat in the club house over the winter.

I think you will all agree the racing calendar has been superbly managed this year by Martin Kirby and in the Cat Class it is going right down to the wire between Pete Roberts and Paul Careless.

During the beginning of August the club was heavily involved in the Miracles Charity Swim 4 Kim, a brief report is outlined below.

Shortly after the season closes we have our annual Dinner Dance, which this year is at the Ham Manor Golf Club on Saturday 10^th November. The details are attached - book early. Initial interest indicates over ninety members and guests wish to come.

Saturday 4^th August-CHARITY SWIM

You may remember that the Charity Swim to raise money for Kimberly Bailey to train for the Para Olympics was held at the Sailing Club on the 4^th of August. The weather was bright and sunny, however there was a strong south westerly wind which made swimming conditions very challenging. Both our safety boats were on duty and we were responsible for all aspects of safety on the day. I have to say that our sailing club made a massive contribution to the success of the day. Over £2200 was raised by swimmers, raffles and the Seaview evening events. The sailing club entered Twenty Three Swimmers out of a total of Forty Three and raised over £1000 a magnificent effort. My thanks go to all involved for your contribution to a very successful day.

Change in Membership Fees and AGM Timetable

Every year we struggle to get the compound plan and safety boat roster issued in time for the start of the sailing season in mid April. A simple solution is to hold the AGM and collection of membership fees earlier in the year. The committee have proposed that the AGM will be held in mid January and collection of all membership fees will be complete by the end of February each year. This note is to formally notify all members of this change, if there are any objections to this proposal please contact me in writing* by the end of September 2001. In the event that I receive written objections from less than 30% of the total membership then this proposal will be deemed accepted, the rules will be changed accordingly and will be implemented immediately in January 2002.

* Vic Smith, 2 Willowhayne Close, East Preston, West Sussex, BN16 1PF.

Petty Theft

On a more disappointing topic we are still experiencing instances of equipment being taken from members boats and not being returned. Please be vigilant and report any suspicious such events to a committee member and it will be dealt with in accordance with the club rules.

That’s all for now look forward to seeing you all at the Dinner Dance.

Commodore Date: September 2001