Well, our 2009 sailing season has finally started and we�ve already hosted a major event (before our own boats have even touched the water)

Last week�s Topper Association Winter Regatta was a resounding success and we�ve had lots of thank you notes from competitors and their families, a typical one reads:

�I would be very grateful if you could pass on my thanks to Bassenthwaite Sailing Club for the excellent time we had at the Topper Northern Winter Regatta. Your Club managed to combine relaxed friendliness from every one we met with efficient organisation on and off the water, and my son and I thoroughly enjoyed our week end. I hope you have a successful season on your beautiful lake.�

I�d like to thank those of you who helped to make the event a success either during the preparations running up to the weekend or during the event itself (which was pretty hectic for many of you)

The competitors and their families were most impressed with the welcome we gave to them and the efficiency of our organisation, all of which is down to your hard work and dedication.

From our point of view I�m sure you will agree that the visitors were particularly polite and well behaved, it was a pleasure having them on site.

The Topper Association has already spoken to me about the possibility of us holding another major event in the future, hopefully this will come to fruition.

Thanks again

Dave Nicholson

Some of the longer standing members will remember Dot Ingledow. Unfortunately she passed away last week. Her funeral was held at Carlisle Crematorium on Friday 27 March

Rich Critchley sent a photo of some keen swimmers at Pilkington Sailing Club in January. The second photo is of the 1993 winning Americas Cup boat Stars and Stripes with a well known club member at the helm (also in January). I know which sort of practice I prefer!

No, it’s not Mike Moore in the centre of the boat (does look like him though!)

Below are some pictures of The Youth Squad that turned up at the meeting on 25th Jan.

Emma Smith introduced the new social organisers Becky and Robin Dawson, discussed the sailing programme,�and all were happy to start bolting on their races onto club races half way through the season when they had gained more confidence. Also, she explained the roles of the council, clarified the situation on boat hire, discussed who needed key fobs, volunteered Joe Watkins to be in charge of the Youth Squad notice board. Afterwards all played some pool and ate pizza!

Following the 57th AGM, Dave Nicholson has been elected Commodore. – full list of council members can be found here

Following much discussion it was agreed to alter the championship points awarded for weekend series to be double that of long series to help promote ongoing competition through to the end of the season

The treasurer’s accounts for the year were adopted, and Graham Kirkpatrick gave a vote of thanks to outgoing treasurer William Carruthers retiring after a total of 25 years on Council

Also, following challenges from two partners in crime (Messrs Fairlamb and Macpherson) it was agreed that subscriptions be increased as follows

NB Although not a rule change, the launch fee will rise in line with the review of the royalty rent to �27 per boat

Proposed rule amendments were agreed that

• immediate past commodore to be renamed Rear Commodore
• senior members to be eligible for posts on council
• rule 9 reworded to define the club’s financial year

An update was given on the position with our application to the LDNPA for a lawful development certificate in connection with the siting of caravans which is taking an undue period to be resolved by the planners.

A request has been made to keep the accessible parking bays free for those members that need to make use of them

Outgoing Commodore Steve Hunt thanked everyone that had helped him during his term of office