Nearly fifty cruiser members and guests attended the annual cruiser supper at the club, which was arranged by Trevor and Anne Williams.

A 'fishy and chippy' meal completed with a dessert was followed by a DVD showing the work or the Harwich Haven Authority, and then by pictures contributed by members showing the exploits and mis-haps from 2013.

During the evening John Clark, cruising captain presented the cruiser trophy to Alan Thomas for exploits plumbing the shallows off Southend pier in his boat 'Lottie'.

Well done and many thanks to Trevor and Anne for the organising, and Barry for running the bar.

Chris

BSC members John and Di Rogers have once again done a fantastic job of organising the Maldon Little Ship Club’s annual Sponsored Row which this year raised over £6000 for the RNLI.

The club was well represented at the New Year’s Day event despite the strong wind and rain; ‘Jolly Roger-John Rogers’ rowed in his traditional Pirate outfit. Mike, Anni, Luke and Guy Ridsdill-Smith put in a sterling effort on their Stand-Up-Paddle boards feeling the wind in their hula skirts dressed as Hawaiians winning 2^nd Prize for Fancy Dress. They also won most money raised by an individual – a brilliant £500. Harley Swann rowed to victory again winning the Under 15 Trophy and Tommy Mills was first Rubber Dinghy.

Rorie and Frankie Ash joined friends Tom and Sophie Clayton (Marconi Sailing Club) and won the prize for Best Fancy Dress as Cindarella. They also won 2^nd Prize for most money raised (£850) and 2^nd Coxed Boat despite the vessel suffering from a tremendous amount of drag. Maldon’s Mayor was delighted to receive a kiss from one of the Ugly Sisters at the prize giving held in the warmth of the MLSC clubhouse.

Rob, Monkey, Julie and Zoe kindly braved the cold to provide safety cover in two of the sailing club’s RIBs and laid race marks. The race this year included a Gig Race for the first time in its 35 year history. Click here for Full Race Report and Full Race Results and Race Photo Gallery.

Rorie Ash

Five members of the BSC recently took part in the Heybridge Basin 'Row 4a Reason' race around Northey Island – Rosemary Jones, Parrott Segura (aka the Cadet Skipper!) and Alex, Hatty and Marg Norman.

We were very generously loaned a beautiful rowing gig called 'Matchless' by the Pioneer Sailing Trust. The boat was delivered to the club and was much admired by members. Race day was blustery with a few rain showers. The race starts were staggered, with our 'group boat' section starting last. A relatively easy row up from the Basin to the Club with the wind behind us gave us a good start. As we rounded the back of Northey Island we really had to work – the wind was strong and dragging the boat sideways but we were still overtaking slower boats, so plenty for the Cox (Alex) to watch for.

In just under an hour we were crossing the finish line – sadly not in the winners, but not far behind. There was no prize for fancy dress. The theme was 'Blackwater Pirates' and with the biggest parrot in the world on board, we couldn't fail to win that prize! Harley Swan won the Under 16's and Clint the mixed pairs prize with Megan Chapman.

Sponsorship money was raised for Guide Dogs for the Blind, Bipolar UK and Life Education. We were personally trying to raise the profile of the Pioneer Sailing Trust. See their good work at www.pioneersailingtrust.org.uk.

Great fun – to be recommended to anyone and everyone. Now we have our eyes set on a longer challenge...