Frostbite

This year's Frostbite Series was particularly successful, attracting some 20 competitors in 18 classes of dinghies.

All eight planned races were run with a range of conditions from light to quite severe. In fact there was no frost to endorse the title, but there was some sunshine to help make up for the lack during the summer.

The final results show just how close a competition it was. After six races, the first two places were tied and after the seventh race there was only a single point between the two leaders, so it was all to play for in the eighth and final race.

David Plester (Solo) finally won the series by finishing just nine seconds ahead of Peter Bower (Phantom) in the final race. This is an unbelievably small margin against a total of some 20,000 seconds of racing!

For the series, Paul Johnson (Solo) was third, Paul and Julia Griffiths (RS200) fourth with Alan Lambert and Rachel Tudor (Tasar) finished fifth, but on equal points with Chris Bannister (Blaze) in sixth place.

Overall this was a great competition with which to finish the season.

Darts

Sadly, we were unable to raise a team for the home game against Tenby Bowling Club last Friday.

Today (Friday), we are away to Swanlake.

Laying Up Supper

The Laying Up Supper commenced as a pleasant relaxed social evening with an excellent meal prepared by Rob, Anne-Marie and Jackie.

Mojo and Mo then set-up and started playing memorable tunes suitably selected for the audience, generating foot-tapping, enthusiastic applause and continuing total decorum.

The tempo gradually increased and with the guitar twanging out familiar chords, Mo claimed to have forgotten the words, whereupon Tom Jones alias Colin, took over the mic and gave Delilah everything he had with lusty support from the entire gathering!

What developed thereafter may well come under the jurisdiction of the Lord Chamberlain or the Music and Entertainment Act, but cannot in any case be revealed as Skipper's Mate had to leave at this point in time!

All those who remembered attending when approached the next day, confirmed that it had been a most enjoyable night but no further details have been elicited!

As an afterthought - why is it called the Laying Up supper anyway?

AGM

Whilst there were the usual business matters to cover, including some quite 'heavy' stuff bringing the club rules up to date, the event proved to be a friendly social event as well. Many thanks to Anne-Marie, Jackie and Rob for providing a really excellent buffet for all before the official business - this certainly set the tone for a good humoured meeting as would be hoped for with a sports and social club of individuals and families such as ours.

Rolfe John as president provided some thoughtful and most appropriate opening remarks to set the meeting off. He revisited some of the club's history and foundation in 1949. (In fact we still have a direct link to our founding fathers in the form of Tony Phillips who is an active current member and son of one of the founders.) Rolfe emphasised that the strength of the club derives from the willing volunteering spirit of participating members and he warmly thanked the past committee and all other members who had contributed to the success of the club over the past year.

Commodore David James then provided his report on the year in which there had been a continued expansion of membership, good club racing and other sailing events, together with a lively social scene.

The sail training unit under Paul Johnson had continued to provide successful courses for 40 trainees and four new RYA instructors and four new RYA assistant instructors had qualified in the year. Club racing had seen high numbers of boats on the water and some very competitive sailing with, surprisingly, only two races lost to the weather. Our new club champion Keith Jones is a product of our own sail training which is very satisfying.

Coppet Week had again been a great success with five out of six races sailed and great atmosphere. Next year, we need some special ideas as it is the 40th anniversary of this notable event.

This year's regatta had been expanded with more sailing, together with beach activities for the public as well members which had proved enjoyable and a big success. New equipment had been purchased to maintain the club's sailing activities.

The clubhouse was refreshed during the year and provided an improved venue to many social events and the continuing winter relaxation of darts, which if not leading the league, has provided much enjoyment for members. A blossoming relationship with Wiseman's Bridge Rowing Club has been of mutual benefit and is hoped to be developed further.

Concern was expressed over the working of the New Harbour Order and that the interests of the local boating fraternity are not being adequately considered or supported. To date, our representations to the commissioners have not been able to influence any of their decisions. The club will continue to provide full support to The Harbour Advisory Committee to pursue best interests for club members.

David concluded that the club had achieved a successful year as a result of club members working together to support both the sailing and social activities and thanked everyone who had played their part and expressed the hope that this would continue for 2013.

Treasurer Huw Stiley presented the accounts which showed the club remains in a satisfactory financial position having maintained similar reserves to last year despite having made clubhouse improvements and new investment in equipment.

A number of changes and tidying up of the club rules were then agreed by the meeting. The updated rules will be posted on the club notice board and the website and electronic copies can be provided by request to members who so wish.

The meeting then appointed the new committee for 2013 comprising: Commodore and cruiser captain - David James, general secretary - Martin Andrews, membership secretary - Jackie Riby, treasurer - Huw Stiley, sailing captain - Alan Lambert, Bosun - Graham Wellman, social secretary - Anne-Marie Littlewood, house manager - Rob Talboys, press officer - John Hollies, committee members - Tim Harrison, Ivan Littlewood, Huw Morris, Malcolm Williams.

Contact via email can be made with any officer using their specific role as preface to the club address; e.g. [email protected]">[email protected]

Games and Fun Night

Members and guests are all welcome to the sports and social gathering with the Wiseman's Bridge Rowing Club tomorrow (Saturday) to enjoy good company, lively activities and drinks.

The bar will be open from 8.30 pm to allow rugby enthusiasts to catch the rugby before coming down to the club.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Rachel Tudor who successfully secured her RYA dinghy instructor award recently and adds to the experience in the sail training unit.

Festive Feast

Last call for bookings for the festive feast to be held at The Merlewood Hotel on Saturday, December 8. Please book with Jackie at [email protected]">[email protected] or Anne-Marie at [email protected]">[email protected] or ring (01834) 812249 to ensure a place.

Skipper's Mate