Commodore’s December Newsletter
Dear Members,
I hope you have all had a great Season and enjoyed your sailing, whether racing or “pottering about”. My thanks go to all of you for your continued support of the Royal Windermere Yacht Club. We are fortunate that previous members have left us with the Club House as it is today.
As we all know, our Vice Commodore, Chris Ducker, sadly died during the Season. With the approval of the Management Committee, I am happy to do a second year as Commodore. I have been ably supported during 2022 by John Richardson, the Rear Commodore; Honorary Officers and Class Captains. Thank you all very much.
I would like to welcome David Heron, who is now our Rear Commodore. David has a long history of sailing, having started sailing several years ago. Many will know him as Fleet Captain for the Flying Fifteens and he has done a super job, increasing the Fleet to 25 boats. David and his wife, Sue, will, I am sure, bring many new ideas to the Flag Officers Team.
On Saturday, 3rd December, at 9.30 am, there is a Tidy Up Day around the Club. There is a lot of rubbish and debris to clear from the boat park, as well as bits of pruning here and there. Please bring brushes, shovels and gardening gear. The more of us present, the quicker we shall get the job done. Zoe will be providing bacon sandwiches as usual, when we have finished! This is an opportunity for Members to meet up with David Heron and the Team. The weather is expected to be dry, therefore, please come and give a hand.
We have a new set of Fleet Captains. Dave Milburn is Fleet Captain of the Seventeen Foot Fleet with Miles Logie as Secretary. Nigel Tullett is the Flying Fifteen Fleet Captain and the Secretary is Keith Jamieson. James Neild takes over from John Richardson as the Dinghy Captain with Lisa Knaggs as Secretary. The Cruisers continue to be led by Paul Aston and John Burns is the Secretary. Anybody interested in these Fleets, should contact the relevant Class Captain or Class Secretary.
The Annual Prizegiving and Dinner took place on Saturday, 12th November, 2022. To begin the evening, with drinks, we welcomed Members from the Motor Boat Club; South Windermere Sailing Club; Lake District Boat Club and Windermere Cruising Association. Following the drinks, Zoe and her Staff, provided a delicious meal, for which many thanks. We are also very grateful to our Master of Ceremonies, John Summerfield, who kept the evening “flowing well.” After the meal, speeches were made by David Milburn and the Commodore, Nick Aubrey. The Prizegiving, which in advance had been well prepared by Ian Bertram and Richard Rigg (Riggy) then took place. Riggy added one or two of his own personal twists which enlivened the evening. Many thanks, Ian and Riggy for everything you did. The Commodore’s wife, Penny Aubrey, handed out all the trophies which had been won. After which, the evening came to a close.
The final Sailing Series of the Season, covered October and November and, despite the wind not co-operating all the time, the last Sunday of the Series 27th November, provided a wonderful finale to the Season with short courses giving challenging sailing conditions for those who participated.
Training:
Matthew Daly and his Team are looking forward to next Season with more ideas for successful training. Further news regarding Training, will be promulgated in due course.
Social Events:
December is a busy Social Month. For all of the following dates of events, please see the Club Noticeboard and put your names down. Alternatively, contact Zoe. These events are put on for you, the Members, please support them.
Thursday, 8th December – Games Night;
Thursday, 15th December – Traditional Jumper Christmas Quiz;
Friday, 23rd December – Members Canape Evening;
Monday, 26th December – Club Boxing Day Carvery;
Saturday, 31st December – New Year’s Eve Party.
I urge you to view our Website whenever possible and where possible, book yourselves in to attend Friday nights’ meals and further social functions during 2023.
Finally and in advance, my wife, Penny joins me in wishing you and your families all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and let us hope our plans for sailing in the forthcoming season will not be interrupted by worldwide things going wrong.
Best wishes
From
Nick
(Nicholas C. Aubrey, Commodore, Royal Windermere Yacht Club)