At the 71st Annual General Meeting held online on Sunday 4th December 2022 the following members were elected on to Council.

Commodore – Ian and Andrea Preston
Vice-Commodore – Joe Roberts
Secretary – Claire Duncan
Treasurer – Mike Cave
Sailing Secretary – John Reekie
Rear Commodore – Jon Denwood
Asst Sailing Secretary – Dave Lawson
Bar – Lucy Thomas & Sarah Hodgkins
Boats & Buoys – Alex Leonard
Galley – Judith Corry
Grounds & Jetties – Mark Somerville
House – Paul Gannon
Membership – Liz Stockdale
PRO – Paul Allen
Training – Anthony Woodyer
Safety – Shaun Lewis
Social – Olivia Leonard

Fleet Captains
Flying 15 – Ian Preston
GP14 – Vicki Bowmer
Mirror – Naomi Smith
Handicap – Vacant
Laser – Paul Gannon
Tera – Matthew Somerville

Jon Denwood thanked outgoing members of council for all their support and help during his time in office, with special mention for Phil and Naomi Smith, as well as Dave and Pauline Nicholson.

As part of the AGM, Andy Smith gave a presentation on the considerations and efforts of the slipway refurbishment sub-committee, and clarified the options that have been considered and put forward to council, identifying key milestones that will need to be met for the scheme, in whatever form it may take, to progress.

Treasurer Mike Cave then explained some of the background to the need to change the status of the Club to help secure potential grants. Further investigation is required to determine the most appropriate option before coming back to the membership for approval at a future general meeting.

Members were encouraged to support the Club’s nomination as Club of the Year 2023 by voting using the link onn the website.

We hope you have all enjoyed your Christmas and New Year celebrations and are looking forward to the 2017 season. In addition to various working parties to prepare the clubhouse and grounds, there are a couple of socials to enjoy

• 21 January – Burns’ night supper **Cancelled**
• 19 February – late Winter walk

Keep an eye out for further details

Izzie and Harry arriving for a voyage on training ship James Cook.

Proud mum received some communication ‘having great time, don’t text me!…’

Day 2

Harry and Izzie are now in Campletown having left Whitehaven last night. This is not the first such trip as a group of young people from the club went to Scotland in the distant past (in the 1980s?) to sail a boat called Taikoo. Could have been some of the member’s children who are now elevated to be members who are now parents of young people.

You can access to voyage on http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/ enter James Cook Sailing Vessel.
More from http://www.sailjamescook.com/about/james-cook/follow-james-cook

OYT North have planned to have a boat jumble stall at Whitehaven Marina on Saturday the 30th August where there will be people more than willing to talk about the alternative sailing for younger people. We are also looking for sailing equipment donations to sell for funds to support local young people on future voyages. Nothing is too small if we can make a few shillings.
Contact Andy Sugden [email protected] or even bring it along on the day. Sure there must be some of those children’s lifejackets in the garage or even a few dozen screws or shackles that others may be able to use.

Better still if you are in a corporate position we are always looking for sponsors for what has been a proven 50 year track record in sail training and has had a place in Cumbria for some time. James Cook attended the Official Whitehaven Sea Lock Opening Ceremony when local young people from our schools and companies sailed it to the event. It has even sailed around the world with young people on board.

James Cook will then be back in Whitehaven Harbour on the 30 August if want to have a look as it prepares for the turn around when she heads for the North East Coast via the Caledonian Canal. On board will be another connection from the club.

Anyone wishing to know more can catch me at the club or make contact direct.

It has been regrettably the best kept secret in sailing.

Regards

Andy Sugden – the one with the bump on the head at Bass Week and now to be seen wearing a bump cap!

Well done and congratulations to Bass members that attended the GP Worlds in Strangford Lough

14th � Dave/Lynn Lawson
16th � Adam Parry/Phil Hodgkins
36th � Paul Bowmer/Mike Fairlamb
51st � John Riley/Nigel Lewis
67th � Val/Ken Bell

Tog is pleased with the new grass (though it doesn’t stop growing). He just needs a tent now…

Weather wise the sunny conditions continued and the southerly breeze freshened unexpectedly over lunchtime but AJ was worried it would disappear before racing started. Despite a slight lull, the sea breeze kicked in leading to some fantastic sailing conditions – how often do you get the fleet sporting tans in T shirts and shorts, in blustery capsize conditions, without a wet suit or balaclava in sight?!

There were several capsizes throughout the afternoon, and some spectacular. Rescue driver Chris was busier in the first race than he had been during all of Abersoch week, and included righting a GP without getting more than his ankles wet! Fortunately he didn’t have to attempt the same on JD’s Laser…

Latest results DW MJM

Sunday’s weather was a different kettle of fish. It started with some drizzle, and it was cooler, such that there were no T shirts and shorts to be seen. With lighter winds there were fewer capsizes, but various other mistakes for sailors to overcome.Mike/Kayla had a poor first lap but pulled back to 2nd place behind Neil/Rory by the finish. In the Mirrors, Pam and Mik had a port starboard incident to learn from, but there was no protest, and Pam went on to win.

Latest results

After lunch, a heavy rain shower meant the committee boat were not going to wait around, and started the sequence before all boats were on the start line. Indeed, some only made it minute or so after the race started, including Neil who was first on the water (He claimed he hadn’t heard the first sound signal). As ever, a race around the lake is rarely won on the start line. Graham/Elaine were first to Mark 12 but Mike/Kayla took the lead by 13. With Neil taking the middle line back up the lake he passed Grahm and Mike and held the lead to the finish, though Dave/Lynn put in a good performance to win on handicap by more than two mins (Perhaps Neil should have practised his start procedure!?)

Final results

A superb turnout of 25 participants in the Ladies, Seniors, Juniors and Crews race were met with wall to wall sunshine and a true South Westerly force 3 wind. The OD, Jonathan Anson, decided there was no need to move the Committee Boat from its mooring and set a line with a beat to 8 followed by a broad reach to A another reach to 1 and a tight reach back to 0 which was moved close to the flying fifteen moorings.

Sue Watson in a GP got the best start at the starboard end, showing crew Alan how it should be done. The front of the fleet was then contested by Julie Rolle in a fifteen, Neil Garrison in his Laser, Jack Hardie in the 200 and Mike Fairlamb sailing his Streaker. Pam and Mik were having a good race in the Mirrors until Mik’s mainsheet wrapped around mark A when gybing causing him to capsize and retire. The faster boats sailed 3 laps and the slower boats 2, all were finished within 1 hour and retired to the clubhouse for an excellent meal.

After the results were processed Mike Fairlamb won overall and was 1st senior, Sue Watson finished a magnificent 2nd overall and was first lady, or was she a crew, Ken Bell finished 5th and was first crew and Hazel Newport just pipped Harry Binns to claim the junior prize. All agreed it was a great evenngs sailing and dining.

Final results

Better known as Southport 24 hr race, it is a fantastic event that Bassenthwaite sailors have a long history of participation, twice winning and numerous top ten positions. For those that don’t know the format, teams sailing either GPs, Enterprises, Fireflys or Larks circumnavigate Southport Marine Lake for 24hrs, helms & crews change over during the period, trying to complete as many laps as possible. We have not entered a team for a few years but we have this year.

What do we need to compete?
1. A boat – a successful campaign requires a club member to lend their boat to the club, can you help?
2. A team – in previous years we have competed to win, if we could do the same this year that would be great but it appears some of our superstars may be unavailable. Another option would be a less experienced team but one that could savour the excitement of the event as representatives of our Club.

Can you all to give it some thought and let Jon Denwood know firstly if you are willing to lend your boat, GP or Enterprise, and secondly if you would be interested in taking part?

This years event is over the weekend of 13/14th September.

I am doing a crafty children’s activity for one morning during Bass Week and I need lots of scraps of fabric to cut up. Please check out your wardrobes to see if you have any old shirts, blouses, tea shirts, jeans, etc. (bright colours would be great) and bring them along to the club this weekend. It will give me a chance to start cutting out what I require. If anyone has an extra pair of pinking shears and an hour to spare to help out that would be really appreciated.

Many thanks, Judith.