Jibsheet - October 2010
From the Commodore’s Cabin
We are now well into the second half of the season with the Autumn Series nearing a close. There is a nip in the air and with the clocks going back we will be well and truly into the winter. But don’t despair, the sailing season goes on until 12th December with the Frosty Series racing every Sunday. Quite often sailing conditions are better then than during the summer, albeit a bit colder. So come on, all you hardy sailors, get out and maximise the use of your boats.
To compliment the winter racing a good social programme has been arranged. It is proposed to hold a social evening every 3rd Wednesday during the winter, so keep this free and watch the website for details. I am particularly looking forward to the talk by Maud Hamill on Geneology in April “Who Do You Think You Are?”. Last year I traced and visited the grave of a great uncle who was killed in France in 1915 in the First World War. This year I returned and, having obtained excerpts from the Seaforth Highlanders War Diaries, was able to trace where he was a fatally injured to within a few hundred metres. I also visited the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium and found the name of another relative who was lost in action on the western front whilst serving with the Argyll & Southerland Highlanders.
A “Geneology Club” within the club may be a possibility if anyone is interested. Let me know if you are.
Thank you to everyone who responded to the ballot request in the last Jib Sheet. Nearly a quarter of the membership responded, raising over £1500 for the club. Anyone who hasn’t returned their ballot, I would encourage you to do so as the club needs all the funding that can get at present.
The Social Committee and the Caterer have put a lot of effort into organising social events recently. Unfortunately attendance at the last two events was disappointing. I would encourage you to support club events as the income generated helps to boost club funds and allows us to keep membership fees at a reasonable level.
The AGM this year is on Friday 3rd December 2010. I would encourage you to attend and give your input to the proceedings. After the meeting there will be a light supper and some music.
Best regards and I hope you enjoy the rest of the season.
Jim Shields Commodore
Cruising
Thank you to all who took part in the boat-owners meeting on 15th September. I have taken on board the many useful suggestions for the cruising section and hope it will be possible to arrange something for everyone next year.
The “Boxing Day” cruise to Belfast is scheduled for Monday 27th December this year, I trust this will suit all of you who have family commitments on the Sunday. Precise details regarding time of departure etc will be posted on the club site during early December.
Festive Cheer on Boxing Day Cruise 2009!
Winter Speakers
Our winter speaker’s programme got off to a great start with “ A White Star Night to Remember” on 1 Oct, and continues with (all at 8pm):
Wednesday 17th November
Brian Black
Wednesday 19th January
Gordon Munro (Coastguard)
Wednesday 16th February
RFD (Life rafts)
Wednesday 16th March
Cruising Members Night
Friday 15th April
Maud Hamill “Who Do You Think You Are?”
Please remember to submit entries for Photograph and Cruising Log competition either to me at mcgregor836@btinternet.com or in an envelope behind the bar for the attention of Brian McGregor. Closing date 30th October.
Boat Park
It’s nearly that time of year again when we start lifting boats out for the winter period. The continually increasing demand for space, Health & Safety issues and long-term storage within the boat park has driven the Committee to take ownership and control over its use. A draft set of rules have been produced which clearly sets out the responsibilities of both CSC and the fully paid up member using the facilities. In addition to the new rules we now have two volunteers (Eddie Campbell & Leslie Watson) who will coordinate and manage the use of these facilities and endeavour to ensure the space available is used as efficiently and effectively as possible. The Committee ask that all users please adhere to Eddie and Leslies wishes when using the boat park. Further information and the ‘Boat Park Usage Request Form’ will be ready for implementation and available for download from the website within the incoming weeks.
Membership
We would like to welcome the following new members into the club: Mr Niall Harding and Family, Mr Jason Barley and Mr Ronald Bishop. Thank you for your support.
With the increase in Junior Sailing at the Club, we also have 16 new Junior Members: Darcey Collins, Will McCrum, Issac McCollum, Rachael Duff, Adam Duff, Grace Thompson, Cameron Date, Torie Blair, Hannah Blair, Mark Boyd, Jacob McCollum, Patrick McClean, Niamph Dean, Jarlath Dean, Patrick Stocker and Georgia Stocker.
Welcome to all!
Don’t forget to send us details of your e-mail address for the membership database. Send your details to info@carrickfergussc.org
Ladies Race 31 August 2010
There was a great turnout for the Ladies Race on Tuesday 31 August. Eighteen boats with female helms took part. Racing was close and competitive. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all the competitors.
Results:
PY Fleet
1st : Slippi Jin (Denise Shields)
2nd : Valenor (Sophie McVea)
3rd : Arawak (Moira Foster)
Ruffian Fleet
1st : Hot Orange (Linda Clarke)
2nd : Bloodhound (Siobhan Auld)
3rd : Scorpio (Lorna Courtney)
Restricted Sail Fleet
1st : Sea Myth (Christina McDonald)
2nd : Coyne (Rachael Dickey)
Sailing Underway
Our sailing season is coming to an end with only the Autumn and Frosty Series to keep us entertained on the water for 2010. It is great to see that our junior members in the Topper Fleet are now racing with the rest of us on a Sunday afternoon; this allows them to feel fully integrated with Club activities. The Sailing Committee is already planning the 2011 season with the Spring Series kicking off on Sunday 27 March 2011. The make-up of fleets and length of series have yet to be finalized.
It was suggested at the recent Boat Owners and Crew Meeting that a monthly “Round the Lough” Series may attract more family crewed boats. This is being considered for the next year, possibly on Sunday afternoons; details will be posted on the Club website.
Our Neighbours - Carrick Sea Cadets
Staffed wholly by volunteers, ‘TS WARRIOR’ (Carrickfergus Sea Cadets) are our closest neighbours. The Cadets (10-18yrs) are trained in a multitude of activities including Drill, Communications, First Aid, Seamanship, Engineering and Adventurous Training. However, with their own selection of craft including Bosuns, Lasers and a Pico, they ensure the sailing traditions of the Sea Cadets are upheld. Rowing, or ‘Pulling’ as it is called in the Cadets, is another major summer event and this year, all three teams that took part in the local Regatta made it through to the UK National Finals at London in September. They returned with a silver and a bronze medal! Similarly, the sailing UK Finals included cadets from Carrick, again enjoying great success and returning with silver and bronze medals. The Cadets also take part in Community events ranging from memorial Services and formal parades to fun days and support events for local charities. You may even see them at our own Club events! Their first Trafalgar Day Mess Dinner will be held here on Fri 22 Oct, so stay clear if you want a quiet night out! Adults with Cadet experience are sought, especially females so please contact Ian McNamara if interested at i.mcnamara@omiino.com.
Rough Time at Portpatrick
The Autumn Portpartick Cruise on 4th September turned out to be challenging for all those who participated. This was the weekend of the Portpatrick Folk Festival and also Royal Ulster Yacht Club’s Portpatrick Race.
The trip over was uneventful, although those that left late got rain most of the way but it dried up when everyone arrived. Boats had to be in before 4.00pm to get sufficient water at the entrance. Although there was plenty of space in the harbour, the town was “standing room only” with the Folk Festival being on. The boats that went were Windmill, Spirit of Jacana, Freebird, Martine, Seamere and Slippi Jin.
There was a real party atmosphere everywhere. Windmill went over on Friday to get an extra night. What constitutions they must have! Slippi Jin was a bit overloaded as it took some of Fred Bell’s crew as Fred had to drop out at the last minute. A great night was had by all, so much so that the Harbour House ran out of vodka and most beers.
The return trip was very challenging with 30–35 knot southerly winds and large breaking waves for most of the way. Everyone was glad to get into Belfast Lough and then home for a shower and a doze.
Even so a good time was had by all.
Belfast Lough Sailability (BLS)
You may have noticed the new portacabin on the grass verge adjoining the main car park. This is to provide office space and storage for BLS.
BLS are competing in Club racing and are becoming more integrated in Club activities.
Liberty Catering at CSC
Liberty Catering has now been with CSC for over a year and have settled in well. Menus have been continually developed to fulfil members requirements. Please let Phil or Jackie know if you have any menu suggestions.
Members have been availing themselves of the 10% discount on their food bill (when they produce their membership card) and this offer will be continuing.
Phil and Jackie pride themselves on using the freshest local foods available, preparing the food from fresh and using their experience and care to serve up a tasty meal.
They arranged their first themed night, “Back to School” on 11th September. It was well received and they hope to arrange additional theme nights once a quarter – so let Phil or Jackie know if you have any special ideas for themes.
Many of you will be aware that Megan has now left to go to university at Oxford. We wish her all the best for her studies.
Coming up:
Halloween - “Trick or Treat” menu on Sat 31 October £15.95 for 4 courses. Why not book an early table in the specially decorated restaurant, before the Action Cancer Night Dance.
October & November – Get a free liqueur coffee with every restaurant meal.
December – Xmas Fayre is available in the Lower and Upper Decks from 1st to 18th December - £19.95 (steak £2 extra)
The Club’s main dinner dance is on Saturday 11th December.
If you can’t make that date there are also Xmas Dinner Dances on Fri 10th , Fri 17th and Sat 18th December. Tickets are available at £22 per person – to include meal and entertainment.
Invite your friends and work colleagues to these nights to enjoy the festive period!
Normal catering times:
Fri & Sat 12 – 10pm
Sun 12 – 8pm
To book a table (recommended) please phone Phil on 07816 665920
Blue Water News
Club members, Jim and Marion Stewart are currently sailing round the world on their yacht “Balu”. They are home for a short break and presented the club with a carved native mask from the islands of Vanuatu (New Hebrides) which they visited on passage from New Zealand to Australia.
They have now reached Singapore and hope to be in the Mediterranean by next May. We wish Jim and Marion good sailing and look forward to hearing the stories of their adventures on their return.
Christmas Dinner/Dances £22
Fri 10, Sat 11, Fri 17 and Sat 18 Dec
To reduce costs, could all members wishing to receive Jib Sheet by e-mail please let us know on info@carrickfergussc.org
Editor: Ian McNamara i.mcnamara@omiino.com
Your feedback and articles are welcome
Carrickfergus Sailing Club
Rodger’s Quay
Carrickfergus
Co. Antrim
BT38 8BE
+44 2893 351402
Fax : +44 2893 359302
info@CarrickfergusSC.org
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