Although blustery, the weather stayed dry for the 2nd close season walk. Some braved it to the top of Binsey without being blown off!
Did Graham opt, or was he forced, to walk back (but he did make it back safely)?
On return to the club, stand in social secretary Alastair cut his homemade cake to share and help re-energise everyone.
On Saturday, the replacement of the race office floor and balcony beams was well underway
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
Four teams from Bass made the journey to the Yorkshire Dales for the rescheduled Brass monkey, the fifth event as part of the Winter Sail Juice Series – Ethan & Robbie D (200), Bean & Na (200) Mark and Joe (400) and Banter & Toggle (400). Unfortunately Bean was ill and couldn’t compete.
Competitors were met by the early mist which saw racing postponed to 11:30.
Eventually getting away they enjoyed a very shifty SE F2 to F4 with 2 races as planned. The 80 boats were divided into 3 starts with FH, MH & SH, and a separate start for lasers, the results all being worked out on PY at the conclusion.
In race one Scumper/Joe battled hard with Chris Pickles and finished 2nd 400 and a very strong 15th overall. Banter/Tog struggled to work out the starting signals and started 3 mins after the rest of the FH fleet putting them down the rankings.
In the MH fleet the Dawson’s put pay to an excellent start and capsized just after mark 3 trying to tack with the jib remaining cleated whilst in second place.
Race 2 saw the same course being set by the Race Officer. Banter/Tog started on time and despite some over competitiveness (running another competitor aground) they finished the race well as 6th 400 and 51st overall. Scumper & Jo continued where they left off in race one and were amongst the leaders for much of the race, eventually finishing as 3rd 400 and 33rd.
The Dawson’s managed to stay upright in race 2 and had a good battle for 1st 200, but a lot of rusty boat handling and poor fitness saw them drop to third by the gun and 43rd overall.
With both races to count in the overall standings Scumper/Joe finished 22nd, Banter/Tog 51st and the Dawson’s with only one race to count 72nd.
Overall a very enjoyable day (although Scumper locked his car keys in his car at the end of the event & couldn’t get home!), competive racing, good food & good banter. We would encourage all Bass sailors to try and make this event next year.
Lorna Deakin, as part of her fourth year studies at the Scottish Association for Marine Science, is conducting research in invasive non-native species. Her research proposal aims to gauge both the public and commercial sectors� level of interest, understanding, and concern about invasive non-native species; and furthermore, attempt to ascertain whether past and present on-going efforts into publicising any relevant information (through advertising campaigns and such like) are both efficient and effective, or could otherwise be improved.
She would greatly appreciate members responses. Please use the following link
The online survey is found: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/InvasiveSpeciesCampaigns
Following a lot of work to introduce direct debits as a means of payment for subscriptions via a service called WebCollect, the membership secretary has recently sent out a couple of emails. The initial one introduces the service, and the second is the renewal notice. Please check your emails and act on them at your earliest convenience.
The slight delay will mean that those opting to pay by instalments will do so over just nine months this year (February to October). Payments will be debited at the beginning of the month, so please act on the emails quickly to ensure that the direct debit authority is in place in time for the first due instalment.
If you prefer, the service will cope with paying subscriptions in full as well.
We hope you find the process straightforward, but don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any problems.
Wishing you all a happy and successful 2014.
Looking forward to seeing you back on our wonderful (though challenging at times) stretch of water.
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:
