Big Screen Rugby

I think we were all cheered up by Wales' final game last Saturday. Even the Italians should feel gratified that their side played well and it was a much better game to watch than many earlier ones. So we can now return to our own sport of sailing with just one last reference to the Six Nations and that is to thank Wendy for her most excellent provision of refreshments throughout the whole series. Even when she was away she ensured there were still great victuals for the supporters.

Race Officer Training

Hopefully those of you who might be able to help with this requirement have been contacted and are ready for a 2.30 pm start tomorrow (Saturday). If you have not had a direct appeal to join this training do please just come along. As you will see from the Commodore's recent letter - we need your support.

Working Party

A last reminder for the working party to meet at 10 am this Sunday to help get ready for the new season which is now looming.

Commodore Comes of Age!

Congratulations to Trevor our ageless Commodore who claims he will be 80 on Monday! He confirms that he will not be actively dinghy sailing this year (which may be a relief to those who have been frustrated by experience beating youth in the past), but will still be cruising when possible and ever active with power boat training and doing his bit (and more) with patrol boat duties and running races.

Fitting Out Supper

To encourage the youth (of any age!) there will be an egg hunt and games before the rest of the proceedings - with prizes - so do come along and support this major event in the club calendar.

The Fitting Out Supper is at 7 pm on Saturday, April 3 - note the earlier time to allow for egg hunting. Wendy is preparing one of her great buffets and the bar will be ready and waiting.

First Racing

The first racing of the season, races one and two for the Daffodil Trophy are next Sunday (after the Fitting Out Supper on the Saturday) starting at 10 am. This will see who has kept fit over winter and who has properly prepared their boat in readiness!

Social Sail

The first social sail is scheduled for the Easter Bank Holiday Monday at 10 am. This is for anyone to just come and enjoy some pleasurable sailing with a social meet-up afterwards in the club. No racing, no points, no prizes but just some light hearted practice and fun. Let's hope the sun shines and completes the package!

Friday Nights

The club continues to be open every Friday night with a bar rota to enable those who enjoy a socialise to spend a pleasant evening in the club. Do come along and join us.

Membership Renewal

Please keep your membership renewals rolling in. For any queries on membership please contact Trevor on 811235 or email [email protected]">[email protected]

Nautical Nips

We went over the SS Great Britain in Bristol Docks the other day having previously visited when they were just starting renovations ages ago. They have done a superb job and it is really worthwhile visiting if you are in that part of the world. There are so many things of interest - we couldn't help noticing that all the bunks were all only about 5'6" long and 2' wide, but the first class were all embellished with curtains, cushions and carvings whereas steerage were just plain wood!

It also brings home the brilliance of Brunel who not only built this as the first iron clad boat, but also as the largest boat in the world and developed the largest steam engine in the world to power it.

The iron plates were thicker nearer the keel than higher up the topsides, which is reasonably logical, but how did he possibly know just how thick they had to be for such a totally novel design? He also discarded the use of paddles in favour of a huge three bladed propeller which was a completely new and relatively untried engineering innovation at the time.

Amazingly, later in the boats life, finance displaced vision, and her engine was removed and she was fitted with sails as it had become too costly to run her on coal!

Skipper's Mate