Did someone say Spring?

Good morning / Afternoon

Just to give you some updates, for those that were known to Alf, his funeral will be at 13.30 at Seven Hills Crematorium Nacton, near Ipswich tomorrow Friday 5th April.

Thanks to those 59 that attended the AGM at the Red Lion South St, the event seemed to go very smoothly again, and one or 2 resolutions were taken for the management committee to review. BIG THANKS to Tom, Jossie & Laura at the RED LION for letting us hold the event once again at their venue and setting the chairs out for the meeting.

Events coming up for April, We don’t seem to have a lot of names down for support, so please get your names down if you would like to attend, the Life jacket maintenance review, the trip to Harwich Town sailing club social and the up-and-coming shakedown cruise to Ipswich taking in Levington.

Coffee and cake this month will be 17th April and, on this occasion, it will go toward club funds to replenish the parlour expenses of beverages etc for all the previous events.

Micro spring regatta also commencing 27-28th April so quite a lot going on and if you have the skills to assist somewhere I’m sure you won’t be turned down.

Of course, most of this is weather dependant and its currently looking like there is a lot of April Showers!!

2024 Tide Tables and Haven Guides can still be picked up from the bar along with this year’s copy of our SSC Bowsprit for some interesting catch-up reading.

Christmas draw we still have 2 prizes that have yet to be collected. You Have till the end of the month to collect or they will go into a further charitable club raffle Steve R C, and Jo R.

Couple of things to be aware of, is that we have been advised by Border force that our local east coast and rivers are more commonly being used for migrant smuggling so keep an eye out for discarded inflatables etc if your out there on the river or just walking along our coastlines its recognised it’s a longer crossing but not so much sea traffic as the Dover area making it more attractive and safer to come through unrecognised.

We are quite fortunate in this area with regards to marine criminal activity being at a minimum, however to let you know that our Essex Marine Unit which runs out of Burnham on C, now has been reduced from 6 members to 3 and JP has even a bigger patch to cover which covers the Stour and Local waters, we will continue to keep him updated with any intelligence that’s appertaining in our area but the normal policing issues will be dealt with by Harwich and Clacton ones such as anti-social behaviour experiences and drugs and alcohol related crimes etc.

Please make yourself aware the location of our First Aid kits and the defibrillator which is in the lobby adjacent the Gents toilet. Small incident again with a member collapsing yesterday but the Fire Service was on hand to deal with it efficiently till the ambulance arrived.. You never know it may be one of your family members or guests that may get taken sick or injured and you may need to familiarise yourselves with what to do in the emergency or where to go or contact.

Sunday also saw the RNLI come to the vicinity of the club where a boat owner set out in a inflatable from Mistley quay and broke/ lost an oar drifted and got into difficulty. Our rowers were there standing by but by then the RNLI inshore had been called and had turned up to offer their assistance. This was not life threatening but could easily been avoidable. NOT A CLUB MEMBER.

Lift in is looming so don’t forget those last-minute checks to make sure there done before it gets on the water. Also, opportunity to check those sails that haven’t come out of the bag since last Oct. Our local sail-maker repairer over in Brantham gets very busy around now so don’t delay and think that they can wait. As a heads up he is also contemplating leaving the area and will only be doing small jobs from next November time, as he slows down to take early retirement so pop over and see Steve Westwood for any stitching requirements now.

Also, the Boat jumble is also coming up for Sunday 28th 10pm at Horsley Cross should you want any used or second-hand bits.

Don’t have a name in the frame for this Friday night bar refreshment duties but feel sure that this will be open, and someone will be eagerly ready to serve you!!

See you there.

Commodore Colin