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Newsletter April 2005
Welcome to the new season at Delph S.C.
Firstly, thanks go to Chris Nash for his leadership in his year of tenure as Commodore, along with the many other members whose expertise and efforts have made the last year so successful.
Annual General Meeting
Around 45 people attended the A.G.M. on the 9th March. The Commodore’s report to the A.G.M. which gave an overview of the year, will be posted on the notice board - see later in this newsletter.
This year we had an election for Directors, with four people retiring and six people nominated. It’s a good sign and we are fortunate that people are prepared and able to give their time to the running of the Club. Welcome to Jan Davies, Don McDermott, Chris Pickles and Andy Taylor elected as Directors of the Club. Many thanks to the retiring Directors: Fiona Blackburn, Anita Cropper, Kathryn Hayfield and Patrick Manning for their contributions in the General Committee. Fiona continues as Membership Secretary. Welcome to Rob Cocking as our new Rear Commodore and Rene Savelli as Vice Commodore.
General Committee
The Directors of the Club, who also form the General Committee are:
Commodore: John Tucker Vice Commodore Rene Savelli
Rear Commodore Rob Cocking Retiring Commodore Chris Nash
Hon. Secretary: Kaye Hodgson Hon. Treasurer: David Hill
Hon. Sailing Secretary: Nigel Reddecliffe
Anthony Cropper Jan Davies Eddie Edwards (Bar Chairman)
Peter Gribbin Don McDermott Chris Pickles
Andy Taylor Pat Tucker (Chair of Social Committee)
We will be pleased to hear from you and discuss any Club matters. The next meeting of the General Committee is Monday 18th April at 8.00pm in the Clubhouse.
Sailing Committee
Rob Cocking as Rear Commodore Chairs the Sailing Committee. The members of the Sailing Committee are:
Chairman: Rob Cocking Sailing Secretary: Nigel Reddecliffe
Principal Race Officer: Tony Cropper Bosun: Don McDermott
Results Secretary: Kathryn Hayfield Training Liaison: Peter Gribbin
Fleet Representatives:
RS 200: Martin Smith Fast Handicap TBA
Laser Phil Worth Enterprise Anita Cropper & Robin Baycroft
Solo Tony Cropper & Jack Stacey
Miracle Andrew Baddeley Slow Handicap Marina Higab
They will be pleased to hear from you and to discuss sailing matters. The next meeting of the Sailing Committee is Wednesday 6th April at 7.30pm in the Clubhouse.
General Meeting
Following the A.G.M. we hold an informal General Meeting for members to: ask questions, raise issues and, occasionally, praise the Club officials for the work of the Committees and Officers! This year was a lively occasion, largely taken up with a single topic. Heated views were expressed on the possibility, need, desirability or otherwise, of extending our current PY limit to permit faster boats to race at Delph. This topic and current limit will be reviewed by the Sailing Committee. Members with information and/or wishing to express their views on this matter are welcome to input those at or prior to the next Sailing Committee meeting on the 6th April.
Sailing
First sailing day is upon us, the 3rd April. The calendar for April and May is attached to this newsletter, so that you can plan your racing, note Open Meetings and any duties. If you have a race duty coming up, please familiarise yourself with the updated computerised race management system. Don Blackburn has allocated those of us still to be ‘trained’ to ‘Trainers’, a list of these is posted in the clubhouse.
Your Members Handbook for 2005 will be available later in April.
New Starting Sequence
For the Fleet racing we have a revised starting sequence this season, effecting the RS 200, Fast Handicap and Laser fleets. So:
First start: RS 200
2nd start Fast Handicap and Lasers
then as before
3rd start Enterprise
4th start Solo
5th start Miracle and Slow Handicap
The timing sequence and intervals are unchanged.
Revision to Racing Rules
The RYA have made some changes to the Racing Rules. Make sure you get to know these, before you get caught out! As well as the normal RYA publications, you can see a summary on the RYA website - if you can find it!
Delph Winter Season Sailors
Chris Pickles reports on the Elton Winter Series:
“For the third year a number of Delph boats travelled to compete in the open snowflake series at Elton Sailing club during January and February. Over thirty boats participated throughout the series, including nine Delph boats.
The temperatures were mild however wind conditions proved challenging, blowing force 5-6 for the majority of the series, this made for some exciting sailing and plenty of entertainment for spectators.
The series was won by Chris Pickles and a variety of crews (thanks everyone!) in the RS200, with Mark Starbuck finishing 4th in the Solo and Gary and Annie Stephenson finishing 7th in the RS200.
Elton was enjoyed by all, but there’s no sailing like Delph sailing, like no sailing I know!”
Training
Friday night training starts on 6th May. 6.30pm for 7.00pm start. Again this year we will be providing a ’Taste of Sailing’ for potential new members and instruction for new and ‘Improver’ sailors. Club Instructors and other helpers please note that Dave Hopkins will be arranging an Instructor’s meeting soon, in time to organise the Friday night training.
An RS 200 Training Day will be held on Saturday 23rd April, 11.00am start, contact Chris Pickles or Martin Smith for information and to let them know if you are interested.
Renewal of Membership
That time is here again; hopefully we will again retain the vast majority of our membership. If you want to race or use the water you must pay your 2005 fees and provide up-to-date insurance details to the Treasurer, David Hill. We expect berths will be at a premium this year, so it is advisable to get your membership renewal in promptly to secure your berth. If you are not renewing membership please let David Hill know soon, so that we can plan berths and for new members.
House and Grounds
Thanks to all of you who did such sterling work at the working parties. We tackled all of the jobs planned, completed nearly all and have short term plans to finish the remainder. A great effort! Overall the Clubhouse, RCC and grounds are in good nick and this, together with the Bosun and his team’s efforts over the winter means we are in great shape for the coming season.
We have some more work to do in the bottom car park to make it fully useable in all weathers. Once the area has been excavated, volunteers will be needed a bit later in the year, to help fill it in with hardcore, then gravel. Please let Rene know if you can help.
Club Notice Board
The use of the notice boards in the Clubhouse is being revised and these will be cleaned up. There is a new notice board for Race Management matters and results, and a section of the boards adjacent to the Galley hatches will be given over to overall Club matters. Look out for the minutes of the General Committee, Sailing Committee and House and Grounds meetings; general Club notices and so on. If you have ideas on what further would be reasonably and advantageously displayed here, please talk to a General Committee member.
Grass Cutting - Obstructions
The grass-cutting season is nearly on us. Please check around the area of your berth(s) and make sure that anything that could be damaged, or damage the lawn mower, is removed and disposed of safely.
Galley cover for Open Meetings and Friday Evenings
We have had a good response to requests for help in catering for the Open Meetings and Socials this year - thank you very much. The only Open Meeting still without cover is once again the Miracle weekend - the 14th & 15th May. Please, if anyone is available to help out with lunches on either of those days please contact Andy Baddeley or Pat Tucker. Jane Wareing will also welcome offers of help with the evening social.
Friday evenings so far appear better covered than at this stage last year, but more help is still needed and any offers will be most welcome. Contact Pat Tucker if you can help on these evenings, or need more information about what is entailed, also there will be a list up in the Galley for you to volunteer.
Diary Dates for April and May - at a glance
Sunday 3rd April Club sailing starts for 2005
Wednesday 13th April Wednesday evening Series A starts
Sunday 17th April Laser Open
Saturday 23rd April RS 200 ClubTraining Day
Saturday 30th April Social Sailing - ‘Back on the Water’
Friday 6th May Friday Night Training starts
Saturday 7th May LSSA Regatta
Saturday 14th May Miracles Northerns Open and Social Evening
Sunday 15th May Miracle Northerns Open
Saturday 21st May Social Sailing
Saturday 28th May Solo Open
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We have the water - not too cold either!
We seem to be into Spring, so we have the weather,
We have the Club race support teams and kit ready to go,
We just need you!
I look forward to seeing you all on the water, or at the Club very soon,
Good sailing in 2005
John Tucker
Commodore
Delph Sailing Club