Where does the time go? It is lifting out month and we will be washing off the salt and storing equipment for the winter. It is a good opportunity to check things over and see if a replacement or update could go on the Christmas list. I am asked every year` is there anything you need for the boat’. I am still hoping Santa will bring that new engine!
Our regatta on 10/11 August was blessed with good weather and drew visiting craft from other clubs and a good crowd of spectators. The Sunday morning mud and beach sports was very popular with lots of participation both in the mud and children on the beach. There are excellent photos of both days events on our web site and Phil Cunningham has produced a first class photo album. A copy is in the club library. The Saturday evening dance and fireworks were fantastic with a large gathering of people on the beach.
Sunday 01 September saw several craft line up for the start of the 21 mile race. It was good weather with a decent wind coming through eventually. My boat `Baloo’ suffered again with a rubbish skipper and didn’t even complete the course! Well, I could not face tacking all the way from the Shotley Horse mark to Wrabness. I was getting hungry and wanted to get the BBQ going.
The two Harwich clubs and Shotley club visited us on Sunday 08 September and once again enjoyed our hospitality and boosted the bar takings considerably.
Our annual Curry Cruise to Ipswich, dedicated to Bob Coles , on 19 October drew 5 boats from Manningtree and 11 people enjoyed an excellent meal at the Passage to India restaurant. The weather overall was wet and cold and the return trip Sunday gave us quite a squall with a complete white-out in Harwich Harbour for a few minutes. However we all survived.
This year we have had some new people having a shot at O.O.D. duties and training to be competent RIB crew. The volunteers who carry out these duties are essential to those members who compete in our races and it is very much appreciated. If you would like to be involved in these activities please let us know, we are always looking for more people.
You should have by now seen that the starting/storage hut has been taken down. If you havn’t, have a look on our website. John and Libby Caldow have made an super record of the demolition which took place on the 28 October after the damaging gales had passed through. We did think it would be done for us , but although the old hut was quite rotten it took the workforce 1.5 hrs to dismantle it. We were very lucky with the boats as the tide had gone out by the time the gale hit us.
I am very pleased to inform you that our latest planning application to replace the hut was passed by Tendring District Council on 17 September. Tenders to construct the new hut are now being invited and it is hoped that it will be completed for the 2014 sailing season. The old hut was completely removed by burning it on a huge bonfire next to our East hard during the Bangers and Mash social evening on 09 November. It was rounded off with lots of bangers, mortars and rockets supplied by members and the firework display lasted 25 minutes. A donation of the profits from the evening will be made to the Free the Quay fund as they still have a shortfall following the lengthy enquiry. The inspectors recommendation is that Allens Quay is given Village Green status but it still has to be approved by Essex County Council. If that does happen then another approach will be made to TWL to take down the high fence and erect a suitable barrier for all wishing to use the quay.
I regret that we still have not found a member to edit our in house magazine ` Bowsprit’. I am sure
one or two of you has a way with words, is able to motivate contributors and can drive a computer.
It could be a shared pleasure! Please contact me or a committee member if you are interested.
I want to let you know that S.S.C. is conducting a survey with it’s members to obtain
ideas/suggestions as to how the club can be developed in future years.
A questionnaire will be made available on the website after the 14 November, a number will be left
in the club house and some will be posted to members who have not got access to e mail.
I do hope that you will spend just a few minutes completing the survey and we look forward to
receiving your ideas/suggestions.
After next week most of our boats will be covered up until the 2014 sailing season starts. Like me I
expect you will be steered into the seasonal mode, don’t you just love Christmas shopping?
I would like on behalf of all the committee, to wish you and your family a Happy Christmas and New
Year.
David Warner