New years news
Published 11:01 on 22 Jan 2022
Dear Member,
New Year's Resolution: Keep it quick
So, in keeping with this, may I wish you all a Happy New Year
Doubling Up
The 2021 Boxing Day story is one of two's. Budworth's Boxing Day Regatta not only generates a win for sailing competitors, more importantly, it also creates a win for the RNLI. This year, Budworth's charitable fundraising for the RNLI saw a contribution of £339 to this very worthwhile charitable organisation. Many thanks to all who took part in our Boxing Day Open and to those who spectated and contributed to our RNLI fundraiser.
With an acceptable breeze from the south east, two dozen boats took to the water and the wind held sufficiently steady to maintain two decent races. With well-balanced beats, the fluctuations still kept the helms concentrating hard on the challenging shifts.
The Double handers included RS200, GP14, and a Snipe, with a 'visiting' National 12, albeit sailed under the Budworth burgee. Taking first place were Jon Chapman and Wendy Martin, (two firsts), Chris and Marie Smallwood, (two seconds), and Russell and Annabel Page. Simon and Rosanna Joyce led the GPs home.
The range of single handed craft included: ILCA 6.7, Topper, RS Aero, and the Streaker. With a 2nd and 1st, Peter Wilkinson held off Steve Blackburn's Streaker (a regular visitor from Leigh and Lowton) with our own Gary Howland in 3rd place.
Positions were almost irrelevant as everyone enjoyed a glass of mulled wine on coming ashore, great camaraderie, and a chance to blow away the Christmas Day cobwebs. Thanks go to the Galley team of Alison Hubbard, Dianne Owen, Danielle Attfield; to Vanessa Devereux as ARO and the rescue team of Steve Hubbard and Alison Hutton. Without their generous help, the sailors would not have had such an enjoyable day for this RNLI fund raiser.
Time and essence
Thank you to all who have already paid the winter storage fee. Never before has the club received such a timely response and payment of fees by members who have chosen to leave their dinghy at the club over the winter period. Boats not staying at the club were removed in good fashion and the way is now clear for winter working parties to make haste and prepare our premises for the 2022 Spring sailing season.
Winter Wonderland
Every year, just like magic, the Winter Wonderland of frosts and snow give way to the annual club clean up. This year, Budworth's winter working parties will take place on 6th, 13th, 27th Feb and 6th March between 9am and 1pm. Please come along and help us work the magic that keeps our premises in tip top condition and prepares the way for our Spring Icebreaker season. Jobs will be allocated by our property manager Steve Hubbard. The galley will be open for hot drinks and complimentary lunch. Any assistance from members to help us prepare the premises for the resumption of sailing in 2022 would be greatly appreciated.
Chess on Water
Meanwhile, on the 19/20th February, Budworth is hosting the prestigious RYA and BUSA National Women's 'Team Racing' Championships. The RYA will be running the event which promises to be exceptionally popular with a promise of up to 100 lady sailing participants. We are honoured to be invited to host the event and demonstrate how Budworth members have worked to gain our reputation as a welcoming and prolific sailing club.
Members are welcome to the club to spectate whilst Team Racing events take place. Like Chess on Water' Teams strategize and protect each other to make it a Team win rather than an individual boat by boat placing. Your committee would, however, request spectators to arrive at the club after 10am and depart before 3pm. With Covid in mind, may we request spectators remain outside the club buildings whilst at the club. Please be aware that over this weekend, to enable safe social distancing, both of our changing rooms and facilities will need to be dedicated for sole use of the numerous lady competitors. The Disabled Toilet remains available for all genders.
Working Together
Budworth aims to enter at least one, possibly even two ladies teams on 19/20th February, National Women's 'Team Racing' Championships. Any female member sailors who would like to participate as part of a team should contact Michaela Attfield or Olivia Smith, Budworth's Ladies Team Racing coordinators.
As host club, Budworth has been asked to provide volunteers to work together to support the RYA organising team. Offers from any ladies who would like to assist as volunteer helpers are particularly welcomed, as are any offers to volunteer from our many male members. Please contact Hugh Devereux. Hugh.devereux@gmail.com
Tip Top Training
With active racing suspended over the winter months, Budworth's Training team are making full use of the Mere by offering its well renowned Winter Training Programme. The three Power Boat Level 2 courses taking place in January are now fully subscribed, as is the RYA First Aid course on Saturday February 12th.
Four Budworth members have enrolled on a 5 day Dinghy Instructor course to be held at Budworth around the weekends of February half term.
Our spring weekend and weekday evening 'Learn to sail' course schedules are currently being finalised. To make bookings, please keep an eye on the club website for more details or email the training team at: training@budworthsc.org.uk
Doing your Duty
The 2022 Duty Rota is now complete and available on-line via the club website. There will be an automated email reminder sent to all members with an allocated duty in the next 48 hours so you can update your diary. Nearer to allocated dates, each duty team member for that date will receive a further reminder. The Handbook of Rules and Instructions sent out to members a few months ago gives further information about 'Doing your Duty' on page 14.
Last Call
The last votes for the RYA Y&Y "Club of the Year" will be tallied in the month of February. As the North West finalist, Budworth Sailing Club is already through to the second phase of this competition, assessed by a public vote that closes on 24th January. Please make a last call out to all your friends, family, neighbours, colleagues to request they and their contacts support Budworth by voting for us to be awarded this amazing accolade. Please continue to share the link on our website to the RYA Y&Y voting system, and share it on Facebook Groups, WhatsApp groups and by any and all other mechanisms. This is the last call for votes, please help us achieve our goal.
Thank you all
Bill