March Newsletter

Dear Member

Welcome to the March newsletter. It is hard to believe that there is less than a month to go until the first dinghy counting race especially after the recent spell of bad weather. As a regular sailor on Windermere, I have never been fond of easterly winds but the “Beast from the East” was particularly unpleasant. A few days of snow and ice caused travel disruption, frozen pipes, central heating breakdowns and even Derek Jolly had to stay at home for a couple of days as the kettle and dog’s water bowl in his workshop had completely frozen! Hopefully the weather will improve so we can start getting our boats ready for the season ahead.

You will notice below that we have a busy social programme and it has been pleasing to see that the recent talks and quizzes have been so well supported. Next Saturday is St Patrick’s Day and we have asked Zoe to make sure we have plenty of Guinness supplies for what could be a very long day. Firstly a working party from 9:30 to tidy up the club grounds with the usual complimentary bacon sandwich and hot drink, then watching the England vs Ireland 6 nations match at the club followed by a two course supper and Ukulele band in the evening.

The AGM is only two weeks away and I very much hope you will be able to attend the meeting and also stay for lunch afterwards. In addition to the usual agenda items, Steve Dodwell will be giving a short presentation on the report produced by the Planning Group. The full report was approved by General Committee earlier this week along with a number of recommendations and this can now be found on the club website.

While on the website please take a look on the section relating to the Adult Squad and the plans for Saturday and Sunday mornings during 2018. If you are interested in becoming an Adult Squad member or willing to pass on your sailing skills to others then please contact Nigel Hutchinson.

Finally, congratulations to the Lake District Branch of the RNLI who celebrate 125 years of unbroken service. This occasion was marked by a celebratory lunch held at the club and I received a nice letter from the Branch thanking the Club for our hospitality.

Best wishes
Simon Mcvey
Commodore

From the F15 fleet

With the start of March we can look forward with anticipation to the coming sailing season, and encourage fleet members to get their boats spruced up and ready in good time. Although the season doesn’t officially start until April we are hoping, weather permitting, to get on the water over the weekend of 24/25 March and Easter weekend for a bit of practice, perhaps some short informal racing and tuning up and fun.We have had early entries for the F15 Northerns in April from, as far afield as London, so it’s looking good for a healthy turnout. We would re iterate, and would be eternally grateful if the jetties particularly the two Northern most could be kept clear over that weekend, 21/22 April. If anyone would like to volunteer to help with launching and recovery parties, we would also be most grateful.

David Heron.The Sailing Season is fast approaching with our first race being the Thursday evenings starting on the 5th April 2018.
RIBs and Retriever will be serviced during March in time for the season.

The Fixture and Entries Booklet 2018 is at the printers and will be delivered during March.

Peter Gooch.

There is now a Club’s policy concerning the use of Club boats by members of the RWYC. This policy will be posted on the Club’s Notice Board prior to the start of the season for the attention of all members.

A log book will also be available for members to fill in prior to the use of these boats.
Just a reminder that winter storage at the club ends on the 31st of March, so we would be grateful if member’s who won’t be keeping their craft at the club over the summer have removed it by this date.

Social

17th.- Working party from 9.30am. Any volunteers helping to tidy up the ground will be rewarded with a bacon sandwich and a hot drink. Please bring your own gardening tools.

17th.- We are hosting a St Patrick’s Night with a two course supper for £10 at 7.30pm and, the locally renowned Ukelele band performing from 9pm for just £2 per head. Incredible value for money! You could make a day of it at the club by joining the tidy up in the morning, watching the England vs Ireland 6 nations match in the afternoon, and then attend the St Patrick’s Night Extravaganza.

24th.- The club’s Annual General Meeting at 12 noon. Luncheon will be available in the dining room after the AGM has finished. The Bar will be open from 11AM.
If you would like to book any of the above functions either sign up at the notice board at the club or email  [email protected].