Wishing everyone a happy, safe and healthy New Year topped up with fair winds for another fantastic sailing season!

The 70th AGM was held in the clubhouse on Sunday 5 December.

Commodore Jon Denwood thanked all who had contributed to what has been a busy, and successful season.

Key points

• The minutes of the 69th AGM were adopted
• The annual accounts were adopted
• The proposed rule changes were agreed, with some minor changes to wording
• Following discussion, an amendment to the circulated subscriptions was proposed and agreed

• Officers and members of the outgoing council were re-elected, though a vacancy for the safety officer position exists as Robin Dawson has stepped down from the role. Full list
• The honorary auditor was re-elected
• There were a couple of changes to the fleet captains

We are sad to have learnt of the recent death of former member John Wills who lived in nearby Bassenthwaite.

John was GP club champion a mere 55 years ago, took on the roles of sailing secretary and auditor, and went on to be Commodore from 1973-74

Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

An early morning dump of snow made the club grounds very picturesque, even the Bates looked different with a snow cap!

The wind that was apparent at Ouse bridge retreated, and with only two reluctant participants the OD cancelled racing for the day bringing the racing season to a close.

Winter series final results

Just in case you missed the odd email recently, the 69th prize giving dinner dance was held last night at the Crown Hotel in Wetheral. Covid concerns did result in a lower than normal attendance, but was thoroughly enjoyed by the 56 people that made it.

Following the dinner, Commodore Jon Denwood reinvigorated a speech given by his father in 1988; despite the passage of time, so much of it was still pertinent to present day operations of the club. It was then time for the juniors to lead the dancing…

It is with sadness we have learnt of the death of Joan Hardie after a short illness.

She passed peacefully in her sleep with husband Jack, and her sister Barbara, by her side.

Joan and Jack have been regular sailors in the GP and Handicap fleets for several years, and Joan gleefully mastered light airs.

Our thoughts are with Jack and Barbara at this sad time.

Joan’s funeral service will be held at Carlisle Crematorium, Dalston Road CA2 6AT, at 11.00am on Thursday 18^th November and afterwards for refreshments at the Sailing Club. No need to wear black but if you do then a small touch of bright colour would be nice.

No flowers please, donations to Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

The forecast gusty conditions proved to be true enough to put off the half a dozen sailors that turned up with a view to race. Perhaps sailing will resume next week?!

What an end to British Summer Time!

Heavy rain during the week led to the highest lake levels for a good while, and, with more rain forecast to maintain the high water level, racing has been cancelled for the weekend, so the Autumn series are concluded with honours going to Val/Ken for the Saturday series, and AJ/Sue for the Sunday series.

Final results for the Autumn Saturday and Autumn Sunday series.

Don’t forget to enjoy a Sunday morning lie in as the clocks go back an hour this weeknd.

The lake has been at about 50mm/hour over the last day or so, and likely to continue for several more hours.

Is your boat safe?

After a couple of clear nights, the air temperature dropped significantly despite a southerly breeze. Fortunately the rain held off throughout the day.

The morning cadet training session had a couple of capsizes as the wind funnelled through the narrows at Scarness, and there was an unusually large wind shadow from Sale Fell in Dubwath bay area which the OD tried to avoid for afternoon racing. A large group of the Cadet fleet travelled to Leigh & Lowton for some training/racing – a great day had by all despite a lack of wind.

In the first race John Reekie led the fleet, with AJ/Sue putting up a good fight for the first lap, but a late drop of their kite was an opportunity Val/Ken ceased to pass them. There were lulls in the wind strength as it wind swung more to the SW.

The start line was moved for race 2 and the wind strengthened slightly for the rest of the day. Perhaps AJ was analysing his performance between races to the extent that he was 30 secs late for the start, a distance that he was unable to make back up. This time Val/Ken led the fleet around the course, and Neil in his Solo had a better race finishing 2nd on the water ahead of Mike in his Streaker.

Latest Autumn Saturday series results

A wet night, and drizzly morning, seemed to generate some reluctance to venture out, but nine boats did follow the start boat out for another couple of races in a shifty SW F1-2 gusting 3 occasionally.

Neil was a bit too keen for the first start, recalled, capsized, got his mast in the mud, recovered, and restarted some 5 minutes behind the rest of the fleet! Steve/Ruth led both races, and pulled out a strong lead. AJ/Sue sailed well, and surely would have beaten the other main rivals in the GP fleet, if only they had turned up to race! John/Steve in their F15 learned that running into the back of another boat is not the done thing, and had to do two turns as a penalty.

Latest Autumn Sunday series results