Mainsheet - October 2000

End of Season

With the evening rapidly shortening in and the last safety boat weekend imminent it is time to look back to the past season and forward to the annual Dinner Dance (See below and sheet attached).

Two tragic events have had an impact in the club this summer. First the search for missing schoolgirl Sarah Payne caused one race to be cancelled as some 15-20 club members spent that Sunday afternoon helping to search the local fields for her; sadly we now know that search was in vain. Second was the untimely death of one of our members, Angie Wearn, at the start of the summer holidays; our deepest sympathies are with Les and the boys. Angie’s brother has written a short piece in her memory which is attached.

The season has been rather mixed for weather with little really good sunshine and moderate winds overall. Still, many of you have made the best of the conditions and there have been good turnouts for most of the races. It seems that the Millennium weekend got many members onto the water, and they have continued to enjoy it for the later part of the season. We are planning to have a similar midsummer regatta weekend again next year.

Dinner Dance

After the comparatively small number attended last year we canvassed opinion and came to the conclusion that the date had been set too early so this year the date is 1st December. Mark it in your diary now and let Martin Solomon know you are coming. The closing date for booking in is 23 November. Full details are on the attached sheet.

Debbie Harwood – Assistant Treasurer

Wow … a volunteer!! Debbie Harwood has volunteered to take over from Rod Newing as treasurer for the Club (subject, of course to election at the AGM next year). In the mean time she is temporarily co-opted to the committee and is acting as assistant treasurer.

Millennium Photographs

The aerial photographs taken at the Millennium weekend are now available. Please contact Vic Smith to arrange payment and pick up of the photographs you ordered. Because of their size it is best that they are not posted as they could easily be damaged by being squeezed through a letter box.

Vic can be contacted at: 2 Willowhayne Close, East Preston, BN16 1PF

Phone: 01903 856279 Email: vic@caryl.freeserve.co.uk

 

Calshott Weekend

Many thanks to Fred Young for organising the August Bank Holiday weekend away at Calshott. After the initial morning of pouring rain those who went had some exciting sailing in very blustery conditions in the Solent, while the centre’s bar as well as a New Forest Pub provided adequate lubrication.

ODC Millennium Commemorative Plaques

The advertisement (and a sample) of the ODC Year 2000 plaques is still available for viewing on the Club House notice board?

Thinking of Leaving?

If, for any reason, you are thinking of leaving the ODC or if you are giving up your boat, it would be helpful if you could let me or one of the committee know. We now have several new members waiting for boat spaces and knowing in advance about boats that will not be returning next year helps our planning for the new season.

 

 

 

 

Commodore 8 October 2000

 

 

 

Angela Wearn - 1957-2000 - a Trbute

Angela was born in Moreton, Wirral. She was a late child following a much older brother and sister. From the moment she was born, Angela had a charm that conveyed itself to those around her. Her early years in the tranquil 1950s, in a semi-rural setting, seem now, like a chapter from Enid Blyton.

Angela owned a series of ponies in her youth and competed in many gymkhanas. She enlisted the steadfast support of her parents in the demanding discipline of pony ownership. Riding her ponies, she demonstrated her determination, but with an easy manner which became her hallmark.

Without warning, but without fuss or trouble, Angela left home to look after a stable of hunters in the London area. It was while working at the stables that she met Leslie Wearn, whom she later married. It was a perfect marriage from the start and was later blessed with the birth of three fine sons, Gavin, Christopher and Peter.

As the boys grew older, Angela and Les took their caravan far afield, to Corfe Castle in Dorset, to Brockenhurst in the New Forest and many other places. However for the last twelve years, Angmering on Sea became their second home, providing a haven for the family throughout the summer. Here they gathered a wide circle of good friends and enjoyed all the water-sport activities available. Angela endeared herself to the members of the Small Open Dinghy Club by her warm, cheerful and vivacious personality. The friends she made here proved a source of comfort and support when it was discovered that she had mild MS. One can be sure that Angela regarded her time at Angmering as the happiest days of her life.

It is fitting that her husband, sons and all who cared for her were able to pay their last respects to Angela in this favourite place.