Dear Member,
A surprise Valentine message for you from Budworth!
The surprise is that it comes on Friday, and not Wednesday evening. Apologies for that; power off for 24 hours, and phones out of action (no internet) at the exchange. And Why? Storm effect!! Inconvenient, yes – but every reason to be grateful to the power workers who work in all conditions to restore electricity, and a chance to reflect on those who are really suffering in the floods and storms.
That storm has had an effect at the Club, as well. Around a dozen boats have been blown over. Several members have reported this. I understand that some Snipes, Lasers, Mirrors, Solo and Feva have been affected. One or two have been damaged. May I recommend that the owners go to view the damage personally, so that they are better informed in the case of any insurance claim?. Some individual members may have tried to right the boats, but it is too much for one person. Therefore (and with the prospect of further storms today and tomorrow) there will be plenty of helping hands on Sunday at the Working Party.
Centre stage, once more, this Sunday, is the Working Party, number Three. Our thanks to Geoff Williams for leading last week. Geoff and Steve Hubbard then brought the list of tasks up to date, for Roger Barnes to follow this Sunday. We are confident we are getting through the work, so please determine which dates you are coming down. With just over two dozen members supporting each week, (many on both days) the atmosphere is truly one of co-operation and friendship. Indeed, our (probably) newest member commented “It’s great. It means I am really getting to know people, very quickly”. And, of course, undertaking general maintenance does mean we keep our subscriptions down…. So, please don’t leave it to Everyone Else!
New Season Ahead:
We have several members looking for crewing opportunities
Please contact the following members directly if you can be of help to them, and vice versa!
Janet Weston leo.7@hotmail.co.uk
Melinda Lowe melinda.lowe@btinternet.com
Siobhan Asbury siobhan.asbury13@hotmail.co.uk
Dinghy Instructors Course.
The RYA Development Officer, Alan Jones, has advised our training Co-ordinators – John Waind (Adults), and Hugh Attfield (Juniors) – that he has a couple of places on a DI training course at Toddbrook. He has money to support the cost, as well, if completed before the end of March. (No promises, but the Club often helps with costs too!).
If you would be interested, please contact both Alan Jones : 07857 646 434 | E: Alan Jones and John Waind
I was delighted, after last week’s quotes to receive an email from a very long-standing member and former Commodore. I was appropriately corrected that of course it was Ratty and Mole who discussed the merits of messing about in boats. Kenneth Grahame was merely the translator of the animal language!
This week’s notes must reflect weather lore: I wonder if the meteorologists in the Club will agree with the following?:
• Dew indicates a good day ahead; a dry morning is a sign of showers.
• Distant shores loom up “nearer” before rain because of thinning of the air.
• Large halo around the moon indicates cirrus cloudform and warm front rain.
• A veering wind is sign of fair weather; backing wind means rain.
• Falling barometer indicates nearing “low” area, with winds and rain.
• Rain is most frequent at the turn of the tide (if air is humid).
• Rainbow to windward, rain ahead. Rainbow to leeward, rains end.
• Higher the clouds, finer the weather. Lowering ceilings foretell a rain.
• Smoke that curls downward and lingers, means a nearing storm.
• Thinning air is harder to fly in. Birds “sit it out” before a storm.
• Sky full of webby cirrus foretells disturbance and rain is on its way.
• Lightning from the west or northwest will reach you; from south or southeast will pass.
Dates to note:
Sundays, 16th, 23rd Feb, 2nd , 9th March Working Parties
Sundays 16th, 23rd, 30th March Icebreaker Series
Time to start preparing the boat!!
See you at one of the Working Parties!
Keep safe, warm and dry!
Mark
