From the Commodore’s Cabin
From the Commodore’s Cabin
I should start by thanking the club members for electing me as Commodore. It is indeed a great honour and I’ll do my best to repay the trust shown in me.
Just to introduce myself, for those of you who don’t know me, I’ve been a family member of the club since 1975. I sailed a flying fifteen, and then moved onto a small cruiser racer, a Puppeteer 22, which my wife, daughter and I raced for ten years. For the last few years I’ve raced my Sadler 26 “Dragon Lady” in the PY class. In addition we’ve done quite a bit of cruising up the Western Isles, and sometimes I’ve sailed a bit further afield. I served for a spell on the Club Committee in the 1980’s and last year came on the Board as Hon. Treasurer.
We have a new Board and members are introduced elsewhere in Jibsheet. I very much look forward to working with them. As we look forward, it is right to look back and offer thanks to the outgoing Board who have served the club so well and steered our ship through some very difficult times. Jim Shields, our outgoing Commodore took over in very difficult circumstances and gave the Club outstanding leadership for two and a half years. The Club is much indebted to Jim for his dedication and professionalism. He will be a very hard act to follow! I’d like to particularly thank those who have left the Board after extensive service. Robert Logan has served as Hon Secretary for many years as has Gillian McAdam, as Membership Secretary. We also say thanks to Drew McClenaghan- Marketing and Fundraising and Alan Weir, our outgoing Vice Commodore. The Club owes them all a huge debt of gratitude. The Club has several committees that look after the effective running of our act. I’d encourage any member of the club who feels able to contribute to their work to offer their services. Our Club is run by voluntary effort, so help and support is greatly valued.
Training will be a key feature of the Club’s work this year. We have been very successful in gaining grant support for the purchase of three dinghies. This will afford training opportunities for adults and for family groups, in addition to the resources we have for training youngsters. But for this to work we need support. Please volunteer to help if you’re able to make a contribution. We are currently seeking grant aid for redevelopment of the slipway. This will be very useful, if not essential, for the development of our dinghy sailing.
As we all look forward to a new year and a new sailing season, I really want to feel that all members will want to become very much involved with the club, both participating in its activities and contributing to its running. As well as sailing events we have a good programme of talks on maritime topics and a good programme of social activities, and we have great facilities for a meal and a quiet drink for occasions when that’s wanted. As I said, most of my sailing at CSC has been as a family racing team and I often reflect that small cruiser racing is a great sport that the whole family can join in. Our new training boats will be a superb asset for family training. So let’s all anticipate a great season, a club where everyone feels valued and everyone feels happy to contribute to the life of the club in whatever way they can.
Roger Woodward
Commodore
Cruising
With the cruising/sailing season being over we are now well into our winter programme of events.
The Brian Black night was very well supported by you all, many thanks. Brian, as usual put on a great presentation, ably assisted by Eric Bann. His Arctic sailing exploits are legendary and of course the pictures to accompany the stories were spectacular.
We also have had our speaker’s night on 19th January where Gordon Munro of Belfast Coastguard gave an excellent presentation. He talked about their complex role in coordinating all forms of rescue. Ian Murdoch also attended and presented a case for retaining Belfast Coastguard as a fulltime station. There is a consultation paper out proposing to reduce the current nineteen full time stations to two 24 hour stations i.e. Southampton and Aberdeen. You can read more about this at www.belfastgc.com or if you wish to sign the petition to retain the coastguard service in our area go to www.gopetition.com/petition/41637.html.
Our annual cruise to Belfast on 27th December was well supported, many thanks to you all. One hundred hardy souls and fifteen boats made the journey to McHugh’s Bar for drinks and nibbles. If any of you have any photographs taken on the day I would be obliged if you would email them to me at mcgregor836@btinternet.com.
Our February speaker’s night will take the form of a short film show followed by general cruising discussion and firming up on a few dates for this years cruising calendar. I would appreciate any assistance possible this year as Linda and I are likely to be away quite a lot visiting relatives abroad. For our March speakers night we will have Claire Goodwin, marine biologist who will show pictures and describe her experiences in The Falklands and South Georgia. Our April night will be by Maud Hamill, Geneologist, who will give her popular presentation “Who Do You Think You Are?”
I am currently working on our speakers programme for next winter and would welcome proposals from members who know of good speakers, not necessarily always boating or sailing topics.
Finally, you will now be able to view all pictures submitted for the photograph competition on the club web-site as well as the cruising logs submitted. Prizes will be awarded at the prize-giving dinner later in the year. We will repeat these competitions again this year so keep snapping and writing up your log-books.
Brian McGregor
In Summary, the next Speakers Nights are:
Wed 16th Feb : Film Night and Cruising discussion.
Wed 16th Mar : Claire Goodwin - Marine Biologist - Experiences in the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.
Fri 15th April : Maud Hamill - Geneologist - "Who do you think you are?"
Training News
We are looking forward to having another successful year for training at CSC.
Once again we will be running RYA YSS Stages 1 & 2 for junior sailors aged 8-16. These courses will commence in July.
We are also very excited about the new additions to our training centre. CSC has obtained 3 new Laser Bahia’s through a grant from Sport NI.
We hope to run both junior and adult courses using these new boats.
Further details of these courses will be posted on the website shortly but in the meantime if you have any interest in learning to sail – both children and adults please
email: training@carrickfergusSC.org.
Social Scene
The Annual Prizegiving Dinner dance was a great success this year and was attended by over 140 guests, a record for the club. The ballot for the dinghy was won by Hamish Barbour and for those who were disappointed there will be another dinghy to ballot at this years Dinner Dance. The new dinghy has been kindly donated (once again) by AquaShak, thanks to Alan & Laoise Kelly.
The Christmas Dinner Dance also proved to be a great night.
Now into this years Social programme and it started with Burns Night on 29th January, a great night of traditional fare, Scottish dancers and a few Carrick ones too!
This years Valentines night is on Saturday 12th February. The night will kick off at 1930hrs with a 2 course dinner including a bottle of wine for only £30 per couple! There is a late bar and dancing to ‘Rock Solid’.
Saint Patrick’s night is on Thursday 14th March, so we are having a Paddy Night Quiz. There will be special prizes and a bar promotion. Afterwards bring along your musical instruments for a traditional sing-along! Late bar.
During April we will be holding the Commodore’s/Fitting Out Dinner. Details to follow.
Las Vegas is coming to CSC on 21st May. The King himself will be guest of honour at our Elvis Presley Tribute Night. Tickets will be £7.50, and after Elvis has left the building there will be a disco and late bar.
Sailing News
It’s time to ring up your crews, look out the winter woollies and get your boats prepared for the 2011 sailing season.
The season will commence on the 27th March with the usual Spring Series. Please check the club website for classes, race times and sailing instructions etc. These will be posted on the website ASAP.
The draft sailing program is in the Jib Sheet but check the website for any changes.
We intend running a few Sunday afternoon ‘Round the Lough’ races throughout the season. Hopefully this will be of interest to cruising boats and we intend to include a Family Class. This is open to all members, regular sailors or otherwise. Contact Trevor Kirkpatrick if you want further details at this stage.
The work teams are presently preparing the race marks for the season ahead, so if any boat owners are replacing anchor chains we will gladly accept your old chain for club marks.
Finally, the Sailing Secretary is looking for volunteers to help out with junior sailing on Saturday mornings or Wednesday evenings. If you are available please contact any Committee member. Full training of volunteers will be provided if required.
Good sailing, hope to see you all on the start line on the 27th March.
Proposed 2011 Events
Club Racing
Spring Series 27th March – 24th April
Summer Series (Tuesday) 3rd May – 5th July
Summer Series (Thursday) 5th May – 7th July
Summer Series (Combined) 12th July – 25th August
Ladies Race 30th August
Autumn Series 11th Sept -23rd Oct
Frosty Series 30th Oct – 11th Dec
Round the Lough Series Monthly races to commence in May
Other Summer Events
Flying 15 Northern Championships 7th-8th May
CSC Regatta 20th August
Other Summer Events will be confirmed later.
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting on Friday 3rd December 2010 was quite well attended. As well as electing the Management Committee for 2011, two notices of motion were proposed and passed. The first is to increase the age of Senior category of membership from 60 to 65 years. This motion was proposed by Roy Totten and seconded by Sam Penney. The second motion was to create a new category of membership, namely Corporate Membership. This would be on a case by case basis and the motion was proposed by Jim Shields and seconded by Nigel Thompson. This year’s Management Committee and Office Bearers are:
Roger Woodward - Commodore
Roy Totten - Vice Commodore
There are some new faces this year:
Wendy Grant Dan Kennedy Simon Toland Gary McMurry Renee Hanna
Hon Secretary Committee Member Committee Member Assist Treasurer Membership Sec
Also on the Committee are The Captain Alan Harpur, Past Commodore Jim Shields, Vice Captain Gary McFarland, Assistant Sec Geraldine Duggan, Hon Treasurer Fred Bell and Sailing Sec Trevor Kirkpatrick. The Club’s new Child Protection Officers are Anne Taylor and John McVea.
Belfast Lough Regatta Dates 2011
11th June Royal Ulster Yacht Club
18th June Holywood Yacht Club
25th June Ballyholme Yacht Club
2nd July East Antrim Boat Club
23rd July Cockle Island Boat Club
30th July Donaghadee Sailing Club
6th August County Antrim Yacht Club
13th August Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club
20th August Carrickfergus Sailing Club
Congratulations to Bob!!
In November 2010, forty four volunteers were recognised for their outstanding achievements and dedication when they were presented with RYA Volunteer Awards by HRH The Princess Royal in London. Congratulations go to our very own round the world sailor, Bob Harper. Bob was awarded the prestigious Francis Elkin Award for his work in Northern Ireland, where he has encouraged and supported many people with disabilities to get on the water and go sailing. Bob is currently RYA’s Northern Ireland Sailability Regional Organiser and continues to actively promote sailing for people with disabilities.
Belfast Lough Sailability
CSC was delighted to give permission to Belfast Lough Sailability (BLS) to site their portacabin on Club grounds. This will enable BLS to have a base to work from by providing office facilities for the charity as well as shelter for their members. CSC
and BLS have agreed a Service Level Agreement which ensures that no associated costs will be incurred by CSC and that clear and established working practices are agreed. This Agreement cements the close working relationship that already exists between both organisations.
Irish Boat Jumble—Sun 10 Apr 11
With the Boat Jumble approaching we will all be looking to see what new gear is needed for the coming season. It is also time for you to pass on items which are no longer required but will be useful to someone else. There is no point in them sitting gathering dust. So why not put them into the Club stall for sale.
So get into the garage, roof space, under the bed or wherever you store your “boat bits” and move them on. Drew McClenaghan is the contact again this year. There will be a 20% commission although items valued at less than £5 will be regarded as a donation to Club funds.
Items for sale should be left in the boat shed between 1200hrs and 1800hrs on Saturday 9th. In the event of Drew not being there please ensure that your items are clearly marked with your name and the minimum price that you are prepared to accept.
Please try not to leave items Sunday morning or during the sale as the stall gets very busy.
Carrickfergus Sailing Club
Rodger’s Quay, Carrickfergus
Co. Antrim. BT38 8BE
+44 2893 351402
Fax : +44 2893 359302
info@CarrickfergusSC.org
Printing kindly sponsored by
Texam Ltd
Editor : Ian McNamara
i.mcnamara@omiino.com
