SECRETARY’S JULY UPDATE
14/07/10
SECRETARY’S JULY UPDATE
A number of members have asked me about the current situation regarding the proposed West End Development of the clubhouse. To date, pledges or actual donations amounting to roughly £60,000 have been made so there is still a long way to go. A fund-raising committee has been formed of eleven members. It will be chaired by the Commodore and will be examining how best to progress the project, particularly the money-raising side. After planning approval, which essentially gave agreement to the proposed façade of the building, the architect is now in the process of producing construction drawings, which is the next stage in the process and where detailed drawings of the inside will be drawn up to ensure compliance with building regulations before going out to tender. It will be important to ensure that attention is paid to the detail so the process could take a while. However, we are moving in the right direction, albeit slowly!
Many members will be aware of the part which the Club played in the recent Help for Heroes Weekend that took place on 3rd – 4th July. Over forty boats entered the club-run Help for Heroes Regatta, which included two boats entered by Toe in the Water, a tri-service charity initiative which aims to inspire men and women who have sustained (often traumatic) injuries, including loss of limbs, and help them move beyond their disability and become re-inspired by life, through the medium of competitive sailing. A dinner was held in the clubhouse on the Saturday evening and was fully subscribed. One hundred and seventy people were seated, which meant using all available upstairs space. At the end of the evening there was a “Heads or Tails” bit of fun and a charity auction. In excess of £6,600 was raised for Help for Heroes and Toe in the Water charities so the weekend was a huge success with all enjoying the Saturday night and sailing with a substantial amount of money being raised for two worthy causes.
To date we have had much better weather this summer than for the past two years and this is reflected in the numbers sailing on Wednesday evenings (and eating club suppers afterwards!) On the water up to forty boats have been turning out on a regular basis, including between eight to ten Lasers. The Club achieved an excellent result against the Royal Lymington Yacht Club on Friday 25th June, beating them in XOD Team Racing.
Success was also achieved by David Stenning’s Peppermint in the Prince Consort’s Race and other notable achievements were Edward Donald’s second overall place in the IRC Class of the Round the Island Race and Roger Granger’s third place in the Folkboat Division of the same race.
Looking ahead to August, we already have fifty-five entries for our own Taittinger Royal Solent Regatta, which is more than at the same stage last year. Given that many entries tend to come in during the last two weeks it is very encouraging to have so many bookings over a month before the Regatta. Entries currently include six Swans and other larger boats entering compared with last year – partly the result of there being no Fastnet Race this year. The Commodore’s Summer BBQ takes place at Hurst Castle on Sunday 22nd August. Currently we have one hundred and ten members whose names are on the list – if yours is not yet down please ring in and we’ll add you to those going. Alternatively, you could come in to the clubhouse and add your name to the list yourself. It will be important to book, particularly if you wish to go over by ferry. The evening promises to be a fun event!
Finally, we bid a sad farewell to our Events Co-ordinator, Lucy Sales, who will be leaving shortly to have her second baby. Her replacement is a Mrs Jean Langley who has now arrived and both are engaged in the handover process. During her time with the Club Lucy has worked hard and has won many plaudits, especially for the small, personal touches which she brings to the many functions, particularly those from visiting clubs. We wish Lucy “Bon voyage” and extend a warm welcome to Jean.