All posts by : Ian Jay

Dear Member

In view of the Government’s advice – and now its instructions – to prevent unnecessary travel and social contacts, the Committee has, with great regret, taken the inevitable decision to suspend sailing and all associated activities for the foreseeable future.

As reminder, the Government’s website states: ‘The single most important action we can all take in fighting Coronavirus is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives.’

Although some might rightly argue that exercise is still encouraged, and sailing is a healthy, open air activity, in the case of sailing at Sutton Bingham reservoir, not only does it involve social contacts in changing rooms and clubhouse, but we are under an obligation to provide safety cover in the form of a safety boat manned by two competent persons (OODs) whenever sailing is taking place. This will inevitably require the OODs to have close personal contact for several hours a day. All such social contacts are against the policies set out by the Government. Indeed, we have already had a number of members advising the need to self-isolate and/or avoid contacts due to their own underlying health conditions, or the risk of conveying the virus to vulnerable family members.

As a result of this suspension, the duty roster has been cleared – initially until the end of April. We would therefore ask all those that had duties booked for this period to find new slots on Dutyman for later in the year.

Visiting the Club is also discouraged. There will be a regular inspection, perhaps once a week, to check on security and visits as necessary to deal with any other urgent issues which might arise – as a result of bad weather, for instance.

Despite the shut-down of our activities, the Club will still have to cover many fixed costs, including rent payments, electricity, telephone and broadband, as well as grass cutting and other essential maintenance activities. Income from new members, boat hire, training courses and the galley will all be significantly down on a normal year. We would therefore ask you to bear with the Club during this difficult time.

The Committee will continue to monitor the situation very closely in order to support Government policy and comply with its instructions. We will endeavour to keep you advised as the situation at the Club progresses, and very much hope that normal activities can be resumed in the not too distant future.

Mervyn Clark

Commodore

Sunday 8th March saw sailors from Castle Cove and Lyme Regis Sailing Clubs join us in the first of the Triangle and Chaser events. At first, we all thought the weather forecasters had got it wrong as the sun was shining and a decent westerly breeze, however, by the end of the day we experienced all four seasons – from sunny balmy breezes to violent squalls with horizontal rain.

Race one saw three boats from Lyme, nine from Castle Cove and nine from Sutton Bingham get away first time for a windward/leeward course using buoys 9 and 2. The new PY handicaps were used which put Simon Hawkes – K1 (CCSC) in first place, our own Richard Frost – Solo in second and Jerry Rook and Jake Stowe – Albacore (LRSC) in third place.

Lunch was served by Julia Green assisted by Merv Clark with the afternoon races being run back-to-back. Race two saw a well disciplined start with Chris Jones – RS Aero 7 leading for most of the race and winning on handicap, Simon Hawkes came second and Richard Frost third. As the remainder of the fleet were finishing a ferocious squall caused capsizes and all sorts of problems for helms trying to reach the finish line.

Race three saw several helms putting their boats away or retiring early. Simon Hawkes again was first, Jerry Rook was second and Pete Barnstable and Chris Bottomley – Kestrel (sailing for CCSC) were a creditable third.

Commodore Merv Clark received a substitute Banbury Chaser Cup (LRSC are still looking for the original cup) as the home team beat LRSC. The Triangle was won by CCSC with 32and a half points, second SSBC with 46 and a half and LRSC third. Full results are on the Club’s website courtesy of Richard Frost. Merv presented prizes to the top three helms and crew (Simon, Jerry and Jake and Richard) and a special prize to Issy Glazebrook who finished all three races in a RS Tera Sport and came 16th out of the 21 boats that competed.

Thanks were extended to Julia Green for running the galley, OODs Steve Joyce and Adrian Mitchell, Race Officers Phil Bailey and Nigel Leveridge and to all who competed in the event.

The next Triangle event will be held at Castle Cove on the 31st May with the final event at Lyme on 27th September.

The first leg of the Dorset Traingle between us, Castle Cove and Lyme Regis is on the 8th March. This event also includes the Banbury Chaser which we need to win from Lyme Regis. Please come and support your club.