Commodore's newsletter: Royal visit special edition

First Week of Better Sailors Group

It is really great that the new season is now in full swing. I had the pleasure of going to the club a couple of Saturdays ago and it was fabulous to see the "Better Sailors group" out on the water enjoying themselves in almost perfect sailing conditions. One of the team who makes this happen and was one of the founding members of the Mary group who came up with the idea (don't ask me why we called it that) is Jon Chapman who, as well as being our RS200 fleet captain, is also the assistant racing secretary. He is doing a great job of all three roles so I thought it would be good time to introduce him to the Club.

In 1974 the Turks invaded Cyprus and as a consequence, we were evacuated and sent to Germany. We joined the Mohnesee yacht club (famous for the Dambusters) where we downgraded from Larks to Bosuns. We were not made very welcome and my brothers and I kept beating all of the adults. A rule was passed that no one under the age of 18 could win a race!!

It was whilst I was in Germany that I bought my first laser and have been sailing lasers on and off ever since travelling to many different events both in Germany and UK

I went to University in UK and after graduation, I took a year out to teach sailing at Minorca Sailing Holidays. That year turned into 4 and it was when I started to learn windsurfing. I soon became hooked and sailing took a back seat for a few years whilst every windy day was spent on the board.

I actually stayed in Minorca for 13 years as I took the opportunity to start a business over there. The business sold in 1996 and I returned to the UK. It was then that I became a member of Budworth. There was a strong contingent of Laser 2s at the club in those days and we used to race them all over the UK and Europe with considerable success. The laser 2s died a natural death so we all moved 'en masse' to RS200s. I still sail the 200 today but I have also seemed to have got involved in a host of other club activities including recreational training, power boat courses and committee roles. The recreational sailing is very rewarding as you see so many enthusiastic new members with beaming smiles week on week.

Budworth Open Day

Open Day

My thanks go out to Jon Chapman for organising this year's open day together with the fantastic team of helpers. As usual on the day we don't know what we will get in terms of visitors or weather. The good news is that despite the bad weather forecast we were lucky to have over 80 people attended the day, all leaving with smiles on their faces.

If only the weather had been a little kinder, we had everything from sunshine to torrential rain and a very big squall which most survived. It looked set in, so we ended the day early, only to find the front moved on much to my embarrassment (Budworth weather never fails to amaze me). Despite the challenges of the day, the team once again did a fantastic job of creating a great family atmosphere resulting in over 12 new members, 11 training course sign ups and a few who will join later in the year to take part in our summer Learn to Sail course.

The Coronation and Royal Visit

Princess Royal Standard

People other than dignitaries will not be permitted to enter the club after 11:00. This will be enforced by Cheshire Police. To enter the club prior to this time you will need to arrive in your registered car and present a ticket for each person in the car; this will be checked by Club members. Once you enter the site, you will not be allowed to leave until the Princess Royal has left the club.

The dress code for the day will be smart casual (I will be wearing chinos, shirt and a club sweatshirt), unless you are going to be on the water. Where possible we will be wearing the Budworth anniversary sweatshirts or Southport 24hr sweatshirts. If you have one spare that you are willing to lend for the day, could you let Bill know so we can provide it for someone else who will return it to you afterwards. Nearer the time we will have an idea on the weather for the day, but recommend you bring waterproofs with you. There is a plan B should the forecast be too bad to stay outside.

When first meeting the Princess Royal the etiquette is to neck bow for gentlemen or curtsey for ladies and address her as "Your Royal Highness", followed subsequently by "Ma'am" (as in jam, not palm).

During the visit please set your phones to silent, if you need to have them on you at all. You must not take any photographs or selfies during the visit (direction from the Palace). We have hired a professional photographer who will take photographs as the opportunities arise during the day. By attending the event you are providing us with your permission to have your photograph taken and published.

The Princess Royal will arrive at our front entrance and meet dignitaries and our guests. From there she will be led through the club, shown the sign-on system followed by the Club history boards before going out on the water to view the start of the junior race. She will tour around the racetrack and time permitting, view the finish before returning to the shore. Prior to entering the bar area she will have the opportunity to look at our dinghy classes on the lawn. Upon entering the bar, she will be introduced to four groups comprising the Front-of-house team, the Covert 19 team, the training team and a group of former commodores. She will then move to the decking area where I will deliver a brief speech and invite the Princess Royal to make a number of awards. Finally, she will be invited to unveil a plaque to commemorate her visit and the success of the club's before retiring for lunch after which she will depart. This is of course dependent on the weather on the day.

I have already set up a group of sub team leaders for the day who will guide you on where to be when and will also be providing various support functions. Please work with the team to make this a great memorable visit for the Club and visitors.

PLEASE NOTE THE CLUB WILL BE CLOSED FOR NORMAL USE FROM 00:00 TUESDAY 9TH MAY UNTIL AFTER THE VISIT. However, Wednesday evening sailing will take place as normal.

Galley Update

I will endeavour to publish times when we don't have galley support on Saturdays and Sundays via a new flash as and when I become aware.

If you can help, please contact Alison Hubbard (alisonhubbard57@gmail.com) or Dianne Owen (social@budworthsc.org.uk).

The Training Team Grows

Dinghy Instructor Group with Coaches

Dinghy Instructors Course

Over the first two weekends in April, four Budworth members and two visitors undertook their Dinghy Instructor's course at the Club. I am pleased to congratulate Sian Baird, Montri Brusellers, Alex Cleaver and Tony Wilcox on passing the course and adding to our already strong training team. Well done guys, I look forward to seeing you out there training members.

If it is a southerly (arrow pointing straight up) you are unlikely to see anywhere near the wind strength forecast as we are sheltered by Marbury Park from that direction. If you come to the Club and are unsure, just ask one of the more experienced sailors and once you let them know your ability, and we will provide some feedback.

If you come down at other times, and some of the more experienced people query if you really want to go out, It is probably because experience tells them it would be tough for them to go out there even with rescue cover, so you might want to consider if it is wise to go out.

Cheers

Hugh