Bass Week has been listed in Yachts and Yachting’s ultimate list of sailing events as 2nd out of 50 top regattas to Do Before You Die! Well almost, apparently it was 2nd in the list that narrowly missed selection. Still worth a visit.
Gerald Powell
 Gerald Powell passed away peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday at Eastcroft care home, Harrington following a long struggle with Alzheimer�s disease.Gerald will be remembered by many as the cravat wearing Yachtsman who really enjoyed messing about in boats rather than seriously racing them.
He joined the club in the mid 60�s sailing GP 14s. Some may remember his Fisheye motif, a nod to his classical education and his penchant for black sails, which he later discovered stretched when exposed to UV light! He rigidly resisted self bailers questioning why anyone would wish to put a hole in a perfectly sound hull. Working often behind the scenes he was instrumental in negotiating the lease for the foreshore with Lord Egremont, the local education authority facility at Scarness and the formation of the Mirror class at Bass, and his son Robin was very successful in the fleet. Similarly, his life in education, and the links with sailing, enabled Bassenthwaite to be put forward as a venue for the NSSA regatta. This proved so successful for the Club and the NSSA that it has been repeated a couple of times since. As Commodore in 1976/77 he was part of the team organising the RYA Dunhill Team racing Championship which took place at Bass which HRH Prince Philip attended in his capacity as Patron of the RYA. In later years he supported the club as race officer and on the rescue boats. On his retirement he set himself the goal of achieving Ocean Yachtmaster. This he did. Gerald had a love of the outdoors and gained great satisfaction from arriving at places using only �natural power�. To this end he enjoyed walking, backpacking and rediscovered his love of cruising and together with his wife Gillian cruised many miles in the Mediterranean and the West Coast of Scotland. His family have all sailed at the Club during their formative years and his daughter Emma Smith remains a member with grand-daughter Katia, as does his wife Gillian. Daughter Elaine and her family continue their links with the club through Junior racing and Bass Week. He will be missed by many. His funeral was held at All Saints Cockermouth where Elaine recalled many fond memories of her father. It is clear from speaking to Elaine and Gillian, that Gerald’s habit of keeping diaries and logs of events could make for some entertaining reading! Watch this space?! |
You Just Wouldn’t Believe It!
After a glorious morning the forecast came true! Rain greeted sailors as they arrived for the afternoon race, and the wind freshened from the South. T wasn’t going to be put off by all the malingerers(?) and went out in the Vago with Ginger Phil, and had considerable capsize practice in between some exhilarating legs.
Big E wasn’t to be outdone, and he followed suit (both sailingwise and capsizing). Rich Critch was a little nervous at going out with Kayla, but as sister Ruth was all dressed up and nowhere to go (William wasn’t rushing to go out), Bro and Sis took to the water, albeit that they only got to the end of the jetty before taking the main down and coming back ashore!
Of course, it wasn’t long before the winds eased and those that were left wondered what the fuss was about… Some may have thought it was the eye of the storm, whereas in fact it was the wind swinging to the SW and allowing Sale Fell to cast a shadow on the bay for a short while.
Tomorrow’s another day.
Don’t Worry
Or should you? You may have noticed lots of activity on the webcam as boats took to the water this weekend. No,� the season has not started yet, but several sailors decided that it would be useful to get some practice in. Word has it that the commodore has been practising some racing over recent weeks – looking at his results he needed it!
The Dinghy Sailing Show 2008 – Alexandra Palace, London
Chris Tooley and I were invited to attend the dinghy show by the NSSA last weekend. We drove down on Friday night and stayed two nights (expenses paid!). We took the Mount Haes trophy we won at the Youth Regatta held at Plymouth last July and spent some time on the stand talking to visitors.
We arrived at Alexandra Palace for the opening of the show on Saturday morning and saw Ben Ainslie when he cut the ribbon. (He’s a lot smaller than he looks in pictures) There were talks from loads of top sailors including Paul Goodison, GBR Olympic laser sailor. There was loads to do, looking around all of the stands, wishing you could afford all the shiny boats, collecting freebies and getting a bit over-competitive at the model boat pool.
We had a great time and would definitely recommend going.
Sam.
Star of the Big Screen
You just can’t take some people anywhere. Never heard anyone describe Bridget as a shrinking violet, so no surprise when she was at a recent Westlife concert she spotted Ginge on the big screen she leant (well dived) across and waved like fury. Don’t think there’s any truth in the rumour that she ‘flashed’ the camera, but who knows 🙂
Starting the Cobra!
Instead of a Mirror, Toddy has been building a Cobra this winter. Check out when he started it for the first time!
Winter Wonderland
The recent rain has lifted the lake level again. Well at least the camping field is getting a good watering! The top panorama is a view that we should be rightly proud of. How many other club’s benefit from such views?
In the News
Find out what you may not have known about long standing club member Ian Macpherson from a recent local newspaper article WHATEVER FLOATS HIS BOAT
Hang ‘Em High
Have we had some members mis-behaving? Is it to do with getting out those Christmas baubles and keeping them out of reach of the family pet?
No, it’s related to another addition to the Preston / Kirkpatrick family! ‘Barley Wine‘ has been carefully looked after by hanging high in a tree to dry out whilst waiting for a new owner to give it love & attention. Trustee Graham Kirkpatrick’s favourite son-in-law, Ian, has long had a vision of him making a come back to the world of 15’s. There is now a serious risk that Graham could be seen on Bass, and on the Classic FF circuit, with Ian next year! ‘Barley Wine’ is now at the Preston’s rest home for old boats. Two old codgers in an old boat! Competing again against Alan & Keith. The mind boggles!