November Commodore's Newsletter
Published 11:21 on 28 Nov 2021
Dear Member,
Keeping the ship afloat
Thank you to everyone who renewed their club membership in good time before the AGM this year. Your timely renewal has ensured our membership has been collected faster than any previous year. This will greatly aid the committee in its endeavours to complete compilation of the annual handbook, plan safety cover and allocation of the duty rota slots to ensure a full racing calendar is available for us all. Timely renewal shows your eagerness to continue doing what we have enjoyed so much sailing, racing and socialising and FUN with our friends!
Knowing the Ropes
Having listened to member's feedback regarding duty role allocation, the club is now in a position to build on the results of Rib Handling Assessments carried out over the last couple of years. For the forthcoming 2022 duty rota, the committee has implemented categorisation of members for duty roles. Category A are those members who have proven capable and experienced at undertaking the role of Principle Race Officer (PRO). Category B are those that are competent rib driver helms based on an evaluation of both the Rib Handling assessments and /or completion of one of the Power Boat 2 Training Courses. Category C includes those who are not yet trained or experienced enough to safely meet the demands of the other two roles.
Caring and sharing
Everyone has now been sent the Duty Category Newsletter from our club secretary. This details your allocated duty category. Now that the 2022 paper version of the duty rota is available in the corridor to the changing rooms, please take the time to go and put your name against your preferred two duty dates in your duty category slot. Please ensure you put your name down against a minimum of one of your normal sailing days. The paper version will remain available at the club until the end November. If you care to take a larger share of the duty rota by completing more than two duties, please feel welcome to allocate yourself to more than the minimum two slots.
Working it out
The AGM was held on Wednesday 10th November at 19:00. Many thanks to the seventy five members across all fleets and membership types, who attended and constructively contributed to the proceedings of this meeting with questions, suggestions and votes for those who have offered to sit on the committee to work on your behalf.
Changing with the times
After months of work, the highly acclaimed "History of Budworth in Pictures" has now been uploaded and can be viewed via a link on the club website. Once again, a huge thanks to Mark Philpot for the hundreds of hours of work collating all the information together. Viewing makes for a fascinating look back at the changes and developments that have taken place over the clubs seventy five year history.
Party, Party, Party
The 2021 annual Prize Giving was held in the clubhouse on Saturday 13th November. Over eighty members assembled to applaud the clubs Silverware and Glassware being handed out to the worthy recipients. The event was a roaring success, with a very high percentage of prize winners attending including many of the juniors. The club had reschedule John's Love's '90th Birthday party' to coincide with celebrations at the Prize Giving, thus maximising the participation for all club members across all fleets at both events. At the age of 90, and having been commodore of Budworth Sailing club exactly 40 years ago, it was fitting that a presentation of memoirs of the 53 years of John membership be accompanied by a party atmosphere with finger buffet and birthday cake.
Christmas Fun
After discussion with parents, the club is hosting an end of season junior sailor Christmas Party. It is being held at the club on Saturday 27 November starting around 5pm. Intentionally, a very low key gathering, with a couple of games, very simple BBQ (for which a small charge will be applicable), a bonfire and music. All are welcome, especially families new to the club. You don't have to have been part of junior training to join in. Any members who would like to come along, please let Hannah (hannahdob@gmail.com) know for planning purposes... and with any offers of help!
Junior Transits
Five Budworth juniors attended Plas Menia for a week long GP14 Junior training session. Quoting four comments from them:
"I really enjoyed it because I learnt a lot in high winds and the strongest winds I have been in a GP14."
"It was great being with a whole group of juniors of different ages and from different places including Ireland. I really want to do the 24hr with my Budworth friends."
"We had good fun in the evenings and the food was great."
"The guest speaker - Ali Young told us about her training, fitness and her diet as a GB athlete. I now know I need to get fitter and be really consistent to be in team GB."
For a full report from the juniors, check our Budworth website.
New Format
In an entirely new format for the club, the Driver & Pursuit Trophies were held on Sunday 31st October as three, one hour long, pursuit races. Blustery conditions with strong winds and wild gusts made this an exciting and memorable day for all participants. The skilful organisation of the racing was undertaken by the experienced PRO, Mark Philpot. A huge thanks to the many rescue boat teams who were kept busy all day keeping us safe. Noteworthy credit goes to the many Juniors who braved the bracing conditions. The Driver Trophy was won by one point by the RS200's and the Pursuit Trophy won by Bill Kenyon and Mathew Williams in a GP14. Watch out all who missed this exciting and innovative event, feedback from all those involved supports our intention to repeat this same format next year.
TEAM sailors
The 75th Anniversary, limited edition, Team Budworth tops are now available to order via our club website until 30th November. Online payment is bank transfer or GoCardless. One price of £37.50 each. Choice of six sizes. Orders will be collated during the month of November so that we may secure delivery before Christmas.
Communication is key
You will remember from our last newsletter, your club has been selected as the RYA Y&Y North West regional finalist for "Club of the Year". Budworth Sailing Club has begun the second phase of the competition, assessed by a public vote that closes at the end of January. Please help us achieve this amazing accolade. The more you share the link on our website to the RYA Y&Y voting system, and communicate with friends and family, share on Facebook Groups, WattsApp groups and other mechanisms, the more votes we will receive.
Thank you all,
Bill