Papercourt
Sailing ClubVolvo Champion Club - Good sailing for all the family
News from the Main Committee
EDITORIAL Anne Rainbow
May Spring Bank weekend. It’s raining so I don’t feel too bad about spending what would normally be considered a holiday preparing this newsletter.
We’ve had the National and Yawl Opens this weekend here in Salcombe and, from the balcony, we have a fantastic view of the start line. It’s an even better view from the yacht club which is where we spent most of yesterday afternoon.
At the next May Bank Holiday weekend, it’s the Salcombe Solo Open. We’ll be pleased to welcome Sue and Frank Brown, and Mike Ball — and any other PSCers that make the journey down the west country. Let’s hope the weather is better for you than it is today.
With this issue of the newsletter, you should receive an up-to-date copy of the telephone list — essential when you want to arrange a swap for your duty! So that it’s easy for others to contact you, why not spend two minutes checking your own entry? (And let the membership secretary know if anything is wrong!)
Later: Gerry Baptist was otherwise engaged this month and couldn’t produce his usual cartoon for the front cover of this issue. However, we are pleased to have an excellent photo taken by Peter Burt during the 6-hour race: of Mrs Swan on the nest with five eggs hatching. Two further photos, taken by Diane Burt, of the same Swan family appear on page 4.
Each contributor to this newsletter has made time in what was probably an already too busy day, to put pen to paper for you. I am conscious the younger members of Papercourt are (should be!) busy revising for their exams at this time of year. I am grateful they spared the time to write a few words for this issue. The older members (age is all relative!) also have jobs, families and lots of other things going on in their lives. Thank goodness they squeeze PSC sailing in somewhere.
For myself, we are off to Birmingham this weekend. Not sailing ... A week has passed since I started writing this editorial and I’ve processed probably 75% of the articles. I’m hoping the remaining 25% are in my inbox when I return on Sunday.
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Only 24 hours before my deadline. The tail end articles with lots of photos (thanks mainly to Frank Brown) bring another issue to life.
Thank you, everyone.
PSC newsletter: Autumn copy deadline
Monday 8 September 2008
COMMS ........ Andrew Boyce
Thanks!
I must take a moment to formally thank all of my colleagues who give up their precious time to help run this fantastic sailing club!
The last weekend of April saw a super Setting-up Supper and a productive Work Party. These brought home to me how much difference individual contributions make. This club would not happen without them; thank you.
Now where to start!
Have you seen the Club at full tilt on Saturday mornings? What with Oppie Training and the Spring Course, we are at capacity. Norma Miller (a former Commodore) once told me Papercourt is a very large club with 1600 people at the last count and restricted but perfectly formed water! What would happen if everybody decided to sail on the same day? It felt that happened last Saturday when there were 48 starters in the Pursuit race! Good to see so many younger members joining in. Note to self (and others): allow for other less skilled sailors, preferably with a smile!
Our Open Meeting Programme is now in full swing with some notable good performances from Club members - well done Charlie and Susie for winning the GP’s. Do check your programme regularly so that you get the most out of your Club. If you are not sure, ask your Class Captain; they’re there to help you.
Bank Holiday Monday saw the annual 6-hour race. This event brings together teams from most of the classes, and is a great way of getting to know other sailors from your fleet. This year, we had teams from RS200, Laser, Laser Radial, GP14, Enterprise, Laser 4.7 and Liberty (access dinghy). Surprisingly, there were no representatives from the Oppies, Toppers, Grads and the biggest fleet on the planet, Solos, although, to be fair, they were well represented in the bar for most of the day. A big thank you to the Race Officer, his team and the safety boats.
As I write, Mr and Mrs Swan (photos front cover and page 4) are persevering with their nest - what a place! Before the tapes were put up, they were in serious danger from passing dinghies; but now Mr Swan keeps a watchful eye on us. Do respect their space, please!
It seems I write this in every newsletter but please, please honour your commitments to the Club or, to coin a phrase: “Papercourt expects every man to do his duty!” (For man, add woman, child and swan.)
WHO’S WHO AT PAPERCOURT?
Not sure who does what? See the list of Officials, committee members, class captains and those appointed to do special jobs on page 52.
VIEW FROM VICE Chris Granger
We are at last into the Summer Series and have already had three good open meetings. The first was the GP and Grads, followed by the Toppers and latterly the Laser open with over 20 entrants. The overall winner for the main fleet having won the last three races was Fraser Hayden.
It is wonderful to see so many boats on the water. Last Saturday, there were 48 boats for the Pursuit race. I think with the new timings for the Oppies and Mirrors, it is proving that we can at last get the new sailors into racing.
Saturday Training
The Spring course is in full swing and now are just looking for some wind to be able to teach the sailing aspects. The Oppies have now wound up to full capacity. Everything is superbly organised and the training is moving forward with a good majority progressing onto the pursuit races.
Engines
All the engines are running well and we have now replaced the oldest safety boat. They now come in bright red, so you will always be seen.
We still have a Kill cord problem, so please will anyone using the safety boats return the kill cord clipped onto the tub. The tubs contain safety equipment such as a knife, bandages, shackle key, spare kill cord and a space blanket. These tubs should NEVER be opened except in an emergency and then it should be recorded in the SBO log so that the tub can be replenished. Thanks for working with us on this aspect.
The Lake
We still have a positive water level and, shortly, will be having the weed treated at the club house end. The swan is still sitting in pride of place (actually Mike Murphy’s launching area) and should have a number of signets shortly.
Happy sailing
Are you expecting a boat sticker?
We now leave them for collection in the letter-drop at the clubhouse.
That way, you can stick it on your boat straight away and we can spot who hasn’t collected their stickers!