Commodore's April Newsletter
Published 10:41 on 25 Apr 2022
Dear Member,
It has been great to see that most members from juniors to grand masters alike, have already set up their rigs and tried out the winds and waters of our mere as the start of our 2022 season began.
Champagne Sailing
We were blessed by light winds and warm temperatures on Bank Holiday Monday, 18th April for the first of our two public Open Days.Roadside signage to the club brought in much interest from people using the busy Warrington Road outside our driveway.The club hosted over one hundred and fifty pleasure trips taken by members of the public with our experienced team of volunteers using a range of sailing craft out on the water. The club signed up twenty seven news members and fifteen Learn to Sail Courses on the day.This will rise with the addition of further on-line membership applications. Many thanks to Hugh Attfield and his team of volunteers to run the day
Fair, Fresh and Foul
It is fair to say that at Budworth, our members have the confidence that in all weather conditions volunteer members will be on duty manning the Rescue Ribs, no matter what the wind strength.John Chapman has kindly organized twenty minute Rib Rescue Refresher Sessions between 6pm to 8pm on Thursday 28th and Friday 29th April for members who have Rib Rescue duties during the 2022 sailing season.Many members hold RYA Power Boat 2 certification, however, Budworth Sailing Club has recognised the need for a Rescue Refresher session to address the specific requirements for rescue of dinghy sailors on our inland water.This session features: Rib launching and recovery on our slips, safe manoeuvring and positioning, moving of marks onto lay lines, setting up square start lines, righting up-turned dinghies and the variations of approach to different craft, recovery of sailors into ribs from the water.Contact John Chapman jnchapman@sky.com to request a slot.
Sailor's Aid Memoire
All members will now have received a copy of the 2022 club handbook. This event and activity schedule and pocket sized compendium of vital information need not just reside in a place of safety at home.If you or other members of your family would like a further copy, whether it be to keep handy in the car, your kit bag or to hand at work, please get in touch with your class captain and we can supply an additional copy on request.
Hot stuff
The start of our Wednesday night series has been truly memorable with a reward of tasty, hot, post sailing suppers after sailing.The option is main meal or vegetarian meal and changes weekly.So far we have enjoyed main meals ranging from chicken curry, pork stroganoff, smoked sausage and chicken chowder with more variations yet to come.Mid-week, Wednesday bar suppers can be eaten in the bar whilst mulling over performance with your comrades after putting boats away and refreshing in a lovely hot shower.To ensure timely delivery of your meal, please remember to order and pay for your food at the galley prior to going out on the water for the first race.
Saturday Apres Sail
Once again, thanks go to our Saturday Fleet Captain, Jackie Purvis, for organising Saturday Apres Sail after the Saturday Series main points sailing on 23rd April.There can be no better way to end a Saturday sail than enjoying the company of members whilst basking in the evening sun, eating a freshly cooked Fish and Chip supper.
Budworth Scirocco
The Scirocco winds most commonly experienced across the Italian peninsula from March to November originate from the Sahara and are usually associated with a heatwave.Let us hope that the warm winds will visit us on Saturday at Budworth to facilitate enjoyment of our end of April (30th) social event at the club Italian Night.
Our Social Secretary advises me she has arranged for 'irresistible and authentic Italian dishes' of Lasagne for adults and Pizza for kids followed by 'yummy desserts' at ticket prices of: Adults £10pp, Kids £8.The bar will be open post Saturday sailing for pre-dinner refreshments from 5pm and Italian wines available from £10 - £15 per bottle.Background music will be played, featuring iconic Italian family 50's sounds.Entertainment will include a QR code based Italian themed quiz which can be downloaded from the club website on the night, and 'Italy v England' team games.Remember, this is a ticket only event with tickets purchased via the club website calendar.Please state your preference for meat or vegetarian option.Further information is available from the Social Secretary by email: social@budworthsc.org.uk
Winging in with the Wind
Our early April winds have once again brought with them rare sightings of migrating Ospreys winging their way over Budworth's mere. Ospreys in the UK have had a troubled and turbulent past, becoming extinct as a breeding bird in 1840 in England and 1916 in Scotland. These days, rare Osprey sightings occur as they arrive in the UK in late March to early April and travel to Scotland to breed. It is good to see their resurgence and we should look out for them again in September when they tend to head south again on their 4-6 week journey.We have also received reported Black Tern sightings from Greg Baker (local RSPB Bird Recorder) as they too were winging their way over the mere looking for their summer breeding place.Black terns breed in May and June and nest in marshes with floating vegetation in small colonies of about 20 pairs. Both adults build the nest which is made from dead reeds and bulrushes.
Topping them all
On 23rd April 2022, Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club hosted the North Toppers Traveller series #4, (Part of the Rooster North Topper Series 2021-22).This event was also the 2022 NE Area Topper Championships and was open to all Topper Sailors from across the North who can competently sail a triangular course in all conditions. Budworth was represented by a number of it's junior sailors who showed great grit and determination with one very windy race in the morning with strong winds and highly blustery conditions. The second race commenced but was abandoned by the PRO due to the increasing strength of wind.Despite several boats incurring sail damage due to the wind strength great fun was had by all.Budworth was represented by Rossana Joyce, Sasha Leach, Matthew Baird, Leon Kadioglu and Eva Murphy, who won the Endevour prize.It was, however, Budworth's own Finley Waterhouse who sailed the white horse waters to win the Top Hat and trophy for first boy and first place overall.
Fun filled calendar
Once again, for those looking to learn, progress or hone their sailing skills, check out the club website for details of RYA accredited courses, coaching and events on offer at the club.The 2022 year is packed full of sailing events, training and coaching sessions to help you maximise your enjoyment of our beautiful facilities.
I look forward to this being a mammoth year of fun and camaraderie on and off the water.
Bill