Commodore's May Newsletter

Published 23:01 on 20 May 2022

Dear Member,

If you have always dreamed of sailing off into the sunset but haven't yet planned how to manage it, start by getting yourself and your crew prepared. At Budworth, we plan a sailing program to meet the needs of virtually everyone of any age or ability. For all members, including those who have recently started their sailing journey, it is possible to 'live the dream'. Set time aside in the mid-week to join in with fellow members on our sunny Wednesday evenings, when many a dinghy can be seen sailing across the Mere into one of the most beautiful sunset scenes in the area. It will make your dream come true.

Mark the date

The club is hosting a new members Welcoming Party on Tuesday 24^th May starting at 7pm. Everyone who has joined the club during the year is welcome to come and learn more about our wonderful sailing club, meet fellow sailors and enjoy the friendly atmosphere our club engenders. Numerous committee members and fleet captains will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. A free finger buffet will be available.

Plan Approved

Your Committee is thrilled to advise that Cheshire West and Chester Planning Authority have approved our planning submission to construct a replacement rescue boat store and associated works. The committee working group is contacting contractors to confirm planned availability and prepare a schedule for works to commence.

Cup Final Day Success

Regardless of the FA Cup Final on Saturday 14^th May, two of our Budworth Juniors marked up their diaries and planned to compete in the RYA North West Junior travellers Series at Hollingworth Sailing Club. Despite the light wind forecast, a total of twenty four boats entered into the competition. Freya Antonelli came 1^st in the under 11's age category and 6^th overall whilst Tristan Shaw finished 2^nd under 14's and 7^th overall. Congratulations to both budding young members for a great performance.

Smiling with the shifts

On Tuesday 17^th May Budworth SC hosted the 2^nd ever event of the Border Counties Midweek Series. Appropriately for May, it being National Smile Month, this relaxed, friendly, competitive yet good natured, event is open to anyone in any class of dinghy who wishes to travel for Tuesday sailing at different clubs across the Cheshire and Borders region. Twenty two competitors entered to join our members at Budworth and others travelling from clubs as close and as far as Winsford Flash, Chester, Shotwick Lake, Bala and Llyn Brenig. All the usual Budworth dinghy fleets, both double and single handers, are eligible to compete in this travellers series. It was also nice to see other types of dinghies including Supanovas, Comets, Miracles and Enterprises joining us on our waters for the day. The event was exceptionally well run with beats, runs and reaches to test all abilities, set by our own principal race officer, John Chapman, ably assisted by Wendy Martin. The weather smiled for them with sunshine and southerly breezes generating conditions with shifts and pressures to suit all the boats. Peter Coop from Winsford Flash, smiled as he sailed his Supanova to win overall, just pipping Ted Garner in second and Kevin Gerald who came third overall, both sailing Solos. The next event for your diary is at Chester on June 14^th, To plan ahead, check out www.bordercountiresmidweeksailing.wordpress.com

Jubilee Day

Many people have taken years in planning ahead for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Budworth plans to celebrate the event on Saturday June 4^th. There is normal Recreational sailing in the morning, followed by Saturday Main Points racing starting at 14:00. The racing day will be accompanied by a FREE 'Picnic by the Lake' finger buffet and Jubilee Cake available to all members during the afternoon. For more information, contact Diane Owen by email - Social@BudworthSC.org.uk

Whitsunday Open

Never mind it being Whitsunday as well as Shavout and national Big Lunch Day, Sunday 5^th June is the mammoth GP14 Open at Budworth SC. All Budworth's GP14 sailors plus members from other fleets wishing to borrow/sail in a GP14 for the day should plan ahead and enter on-line via the club website calendar. This event is sailed in GP14 dinghies by any of our members or by visitor GP14 sailors from any other club. It also doubles up as the third event in the GP14 Northern Bell Series. With 3 races to sail, of which your 2 best scores count, there will be prizes for all: Gold, Silver and Bronze level sailors plus a host of fun Spot Prizes for the less serious amongst us. Briefing is at 9:30, first race starts at 11am. If you usually sail another class of dinghy but wish to borrow a GP14 for this event, please contact Paul Gray by email: GP14_flt@Budworthsc.org.uk

Preparation

Seasonally the mere experiences an issue with weed, causing drag on the water and difficulties on slips when launching and retrieving dinghies after sailing. We have prepared an environmentally friendly way for you to help us cope with the already visible growth of water weed this year. Please do you bit and clear the slips with the rakes, brushes and spades provided, piling the weed to one side, out of the path of other members using the slips.

World Gin Day

'Snipestock' has been organised for the weekend of the Queen's Birthday, Saturday 11^th June, which funnily enough also happens to be World Gin Day!. From 5pm on Friday 10^th June, the club will be open for you to bring your own food hamper and cook on the club BBQ. Saturday 11^th June will be normal Saturday main points racing. Both Friday and Saturday are Fancy Dress with prizes. A Snipestock badge can be purchased from the galley @ £4 each to the cover cost of Fancy Dress prizes. Sunday 12^th June is a normal Sunday sailing day.

Look ahead, book ahead

Events for the Queen's Jubilee have taken months, if not years, of planning. Likewise, Budworth's sailing and social calendar is planned a year in advance and is printed in outline in the Handbook with additional activities being added to the website calendar. This year, we are experiencing unprecedented numbers of members leaving booking events and socials to the very last minute. At best, this makes it hard for us to cater and at worst potentially leads us to consider cancelling events due to lack of interest, only to then be inundated with last minute 'we had wanted to come' emails and texts. Many of our activities are run by enthusiastic, hardworking volunteers. However, we also have to arrange to support some roles with paid staff. We need to plan in advance to make it all happen, especially when volunteers are giving up their own time to arrange and run these events for us. Your committee has requested that I remind all members to please, please look at the club website calendar each month and book onto which events and socials you'd like to do with as much advance notice as you can give us.

Bill

P.S. Commodores weekend is Saturday 9^th and Sunday 10^th July book early for a fun packed weekend sailing festival and BBQ . Ensure to ask your friends and family and book their tickets too.