All sailors who have had the misfortune to capsize and require rescue assistance over the last couple of seasons will be aware of rescue boat driver Chris Graham. It is with great sadness that we learnt of his tragic death in a car accident early on Friday morning. Chris was 19. Chris’ funeral was held on Friday 1st September in Christ Church, Stricklandgate, Penrith and afterwards at the Conservative Club. Family flowers only. Any donations, via the club please, will be passed on to Cockermouth Mountain Rescue of which Chris’ grandfather was a founder member

Congratulations to Andy Smith and Mark Somerville after coming 20th in the GP14 Worlds held at Sligo NI just before Bass Week. Will the Guinness sales be up or down for Bass Week?

Congratulations to Mark Ninnim and Emma Powell following their recent runaway success at the Scottish area championships which were held at Berwick. Four straight wins – what else could anyone wish for? Well done!

We are delighted to advise that following a nomination by the club, Herb Telford is to be awarded the RYA’s Community Award for Lifetime Commitment.

Over the past 30 years Herb has been on Committee of Cumbria CC Schools Training Centre, a senior member of NSSA Regatta Organising Team in mid 1980’s. At club level he was involved with RYA Team Racing at Bass SC in 1977, is a former commodore, been on council and assisted with bar, grounds & jetties, and boats & buoys sub committees. Presently he is most well known as official starter, and is also one of our four trustees.

Herb and his wife Aileen have been invited to receive the award at an official ceremony later in the year.

Congratulations and well done.

It with sadness that we have been informed that long time member Jack Lawson passed away peacefully after a long illness. Jack was a highly competitive sailor in both the GP and Flying 15 fleets as well as enjoying skiing and golfing. The service will be held at All Souls, Netherton, Maryport

Our thoughts are with Jack’s wife Carol, his sons Peter and David and their families at this sad time

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank a couple of people from your sailing club. I arrived on Saturday afternoon (24/06) to gather some information regarding membership, joining fees etc. I got talking to a lady called Jane Hall & a young fella called Philip Hodgkins. They made me feel very welcome and gave me lots of useful information, including contact names, addresses, telephone numbers & Email addresses.

The Tale – As we continued with our conversation I mentioned to Jane that the last time I had sailed was about 20 years ago, this was during a Royal Engineers sailing course based on the river Weser in Germany. This is where it all begins to go a bit blurry. Before I knew it, Jane & Philip went to the trouble of getting out a club boat (Topper) & rigged it up for me. Jane lent me a pair of wetshoes & that was it! With a wry smile they bid me on my way & all for the measly sum of £3.00. By now the adrenalin had kicked in & I felt like a wasp on speed!! After finally realising that I was afloat it took several minutes for me to realise that I had to do some work to sail this object that I was sat in. I just about managed a few North – South legs & was beginning to feel safe-ish. Not wanting to overdo it I decided to bring the boat back in & watched eagerly for tips as other members drifted in quite calmly & expertly. Being rather impetuous I under estimated my distance from the shore. I promptly lifted the dagger board and jumped straight over the side into what I thought was a couple of feet of water. Imagine my surprise when I felt my private bits under my chin as I wallowed in about 2 metres of Bass!! Just then a slight breeze capsized my craft thanks to me removing the said daggerboard. I was promptly aided by another willing member who re-inserted the daggerboard & righted the boat. Once on terra-firma I thanked all concerned & scuttled away a very embarrassed but chuffed & exhilarated SAILOR Not deterred  I shall return – hopefully, if permitted. Once again Many Thanks for a great afternoon.

Best Regards Martin

You may recall being given the opportunity to win an RS200, by buying raffle tickets to support West Riding Sailing Club’s fire fund. The first person to come forward was Nigel Lewis – he felt obliged to support the sailing club which his daughter Wendy uses at University. In fact, he felt so obliged that he bought two books. Well it all proved worthwhile, because it was Wendy that won the brand new RS200 – Well done!

Sailing was a little quiet at the club on Saturday due to Mark and Kirsty’s wedding celebrations. Here’s a pic of the happy couple

Of  course, hats always come out at weddings, so you won’t be surprised by the following. What we really need to know is what part of the body the ring is for!

Toggle actually owned up to it being a handbag (not a ring) – he’d spent the previous evening searching through the wardrobe for it (well strange things happen after several pints of Jennings!)

After a week of wind and floods, many boats have been removed from site for safe storage or repair!

As you can see from the webcam, Sunday started with a fantastic mist that was lit by the morning sun. In fact the glorious weather continued all day, but without wind, and consequently without racing. Don’t be surprised if the views turn up in calendars for 2007!

Mik and team brought in the Bates to stop it wandering off on day trips (twice this week!), and it promptly slid off due to not being tied to the trailer when Mik tried a racing start on the tractor, but we’re assured there was no damage. For everyone waiting for the final pennant race of the season, it won’t be a round the laker as the bottom end marks have now been removed for the season.