We have just been informed of the sudden and untimely death of Peter Ballard whilst on holiday in Madeira.
Peter has been an active and popular member of the club over recent years and he will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts and wishes are with his wife Anne and family at this sad time.
Peter’s funeral was held on 24 February.
Christmas is over, the miserable weather continues, and the sailing season has yet to start. While you’re quietly tucked up in front of the fire, put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and draft a short article for the forthcoming Foxy Tales.
You’re welcome to share your thoughts and experiences on any subject that you consider the rest of the membership may be interested in reading.
Please submit your article to Robin Dawson by the end of February do the latest edition can be compiled in time to be sent out with the handbooks.
Thanks
Congratulations to Paul and Emily Clark on the recent birth of baby Evelyn (Evie) Elizabeth who was born on 20th December at 10:48pm at a weight of 7lb 15oz, by emergency C-section.
Although she had to spend over a week in the special care unit because she wasn’t feeding properly, everyone is home now, and mum and baby are well.
Following recent storm winds there has been significant damage and disruption to boats left on site.
– Drascome Longboat picked up and thrown on top of Martin 16 – Mast snapped. Probably other damage too. Drascombe and trailer in tree!
– Phantom by Drascombe longboat with hull smashed.
– Two white GP 14s in back field capsized.
– Wayfarer upside down broken mast.
– Wayfarer in river.
– Wayfarer by Martin 16 with ripped cover.
– Club Toppers blown around.
– Laser on top several other boats.
Some pics from Saturday courtesy of Banter:
Very best wishes and Christmas greetings to all!
On 15 Dec 2013 17 youth squad students and parents descended on Workington’s 10 Pin Bowling Alley.
As most of us were beginners the owners of the alley had kindly put down guides to make sure that all balls would knock down at least one skittle. This did not stop some of our balls bouncing from one side of the track to the other before eventually knocking a few skittles down. The guides also did not stop some of the adults really heavy balls being pulled by really strong gravity onto the wooden track making a big bang and causing the whole building to shake. The owners therefore soon came over to point out that special ramps could be used to help launch the balls and help steering, and also to tell us that we should not throw the balls at the skittles. Although we tried the ramps this was not real bowls so we went back to launching the balls by hand.
Eventually we all got the hang of letting go of the balls at the right time, height and angle to point them in the right direction without killing anyone.
Elle Grieves made an early start by judging her bouncing off the sides to hit the middle pin time and time again getting several strikes and many 10’s. Despite everyone else trying really hard Elle’s lead continued to grow. By the end of the game she had almost twice as many points as anyone else.
Here’s to a well earned victory. Very well done.
A special mention also goes to Louise who spent so much effort throwing her balls that she had to lay down in the lane after every throw. A really good try.
Some of the mums said that they were trying to get as few points as possible to make the rest of us feel good. Tell that to the lad in the next lane with 4 squashed toes.
Of course Elle will have to come again next Christmas to defend her Tiara.(little Crown)
This victory shows that Elle has a strong will to win, and we look forward to the first race of the new season in Toppers between Elle and Hazel.
Hope that you are looking forward to March 2014 when we take to the water again.
Please note that the water level is close to the boat house door. It looks as though the store under the race office has already been flooded, and there are boats in the back field that are in danger of sinking.
If your boat is still at the club, get it checked out
We are delighted to reveal that Bass Week has been NOMINATED in this year�s Yachts & Yachting Awards.
Now you will all appreciate that second best is not our way (just think of the rewarding efforts put into, not only Bass Week but, NSSA Youth Regatta, and GP14 end of year Regatta to name but three events), so please put a little bit of effort into voting for us!
A full list of nominees can be found on the Yachts and Yachting website and voting is now open and will remain so until Friday 13th December.
It�s a close run thing in each of the categories so please do everything you can to encourage other members, visitors and fans to vote. To be in with the best chance of winning your category, please make use of the following:
� Vote for us at http://www.yachtsandyachting.co.uk/awards2014/
� Tweet your nomination! The shortened link for the above webpage is http://bit.ly/181wn6i
� The hashtag to use is #YYAwards when mentioning the awards on twitter
MIK Chappell normally seeks publicity for Bassenthwaite Sailing Club, but found himself in the spotlight when he was presented with one of the RYA�s most prestigious honours.
He received the RYA Lifetime Award from Princess Anne, president of the RYA, at the organisation�s annual volunteer awards ceremony held in London. �I was very honoured,� said Mik.
A total of 43 voluntary awards were presented to winners from across the UK. Mik was nominated for the award by members of Bassenthwaite Sailing Club and was selected as a winner for being an ambassador for sailing over 25 years.
He started sailing with the club in 1979 and represented it in numerous regional and national sailing events. He served as rear, vice and commodore between 2003 and 2008.
Mainly, though, his work with the club has focused on obtaining publicity through local media. That is something he has extended to another club of which he is a member, Whitehaven Sailing and Boating Association. At Bassenthwaite he has also edited the club magazine.
Mik has also been Mirror fleet captain since 2003 and the continued success of the Mirror fleet at Bassenthwaite is testament to his commitment and hard work.
Mik�s vision for the future of the club and the sport of sailing has focused on training � he was a crucial part of the team that achieved RYA training centre and champion club status. In the club�s recommendation for the award Mik is described as a �willing horse�, leading by example, and a �doer� � always the first to offer help and advice and invariably the first to arrive and the last to leave the club.
He has influenced on-water safety by encouraging members and staff to enhance their powerboat and safety boat skills.
Sarah Treseder, RYA chief executive, said: �The RYA is delighted to make this award in recognition of Mike�s enthusiasm, promotion of our sport and many years� contribution to the north west region�s boating scene.
�The 43 RYA winners are an inspiration to us all and it is my pleasure to recognise and celebrate their hard work and dedication.�
Mik and the other RYA award winners enjoyed a celebratory lunch in the presence of Princess Anne, and were presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate.
