Commodore's Letter - 7th March 2023
Published 08:44 on 7 Mar 2023
Dear Club Members
I have been shoved to the front, and am taking up the reins as Commodore. I am doubly blessed in that the Club is on an even keel, and I have done the role before elsewhere! However, we are in a time of hardship in the UK, and all the committee members who have generously stepped up to serve you the club members, will of course bear these hardships in mind.
Green Initiatives
Sailing is a wonderful tonic to us all, and an ecologically sound sport to enjoy. Our much waited for Tesla battery arrives this month, to complete our solar installation, and hopefully save us money over many, many years. We are looking at the outboard engines slowly being changed over to electric too, but the technology is not there yet. We have a small electric outboard already, for moving the committee boats, as a start.
Volunteering
We are a member's club, and survive on the generosity of those members to run the club. At Spinnaker, this is NOT onerous, as we have 3 staff in the winter, and many more instructors in the summer, who make an enormous contribution to the successful running of the club. However, we do want people to step up and help. You can either help the sailing committee run the on water activities, and we can guide you to the right people to explain the needs on that committee. The Main Committee has a need for more members to oversee their activities. Specifically, there is a vacancy to oversee any repairs/maintenance at the club and its grounds. As I hope you can see, the club looks tidy and presentable at present, but it would very helpful to have someone "own" this area, and keep it looking so nice. If you have experience of managing contractors and similar, we'd be happy to hear from you. We also would welcome female volunteers to help balance the masculine imbalance on the main committee. If you don't have time to step up to be on a committee, we are always happy to have a club member share their expertise with us, and currently have members advising on IT and Security, which is very welcome.
The Boat Park
This is my specialist area (!) having struggled through 2020 to make sense of the club's data (or lack of it more accurately) and relate it to the boats on the ground. We are in the happy position of being on top of the data now, and this time last year only had one rascal not renewed rather than the 100+ previously! Can I please ask that we observe the following:
- 1.One boat only per berth. This may seem obvious..Kayaks/canoes/paddleboards are stored on our many rack and charged separately (only £21 from memory)
- 2.If you do lock your boat with combination lock to the chain under the boat, please ensure the code is with James in the Office. Please DO NOT lock your boat with a keyed padlock. The club may need to move your boat to allow a work party to mow under it, or allow other maintenance near it.
- 3.Please tie your boat down to the chain under it so it cannot tip over, more waggle on its wheels by securing the bow. There is nothing worse than finding your lovely boat with your neighbour's boat on top of it. Or his Kayak see above! If the chain seems loose please inform the office.
- 4.Please ensure your road base (if you have a combination trailer) is under your trolley or stored off site as you would with a sperate road trailer too. We do not offer trailer storage on site due to lack of space.
- 5.If you are able or want to mow under your boat, the office can lend you a battery strimmer to save bringing over your own. All we ask is that you ensure it is returned in the condition you got it!
Site Improvements
We have started a programme of site improvements. Some are being carried out by contactors, others by ourselves.
The improvements to the car park, and the "Solo" launching area, have been done by a local Groundwork company.
The work on the big island is complete, and we await the return of our super rare "common" terns and black headed gulls. All our ecological group friends are very pleased with us. The Japanese knotweed infested small Island to the south of the lake will be zapped by Natural England this autumn. The exclusion order is still in place for now.
The small tree and shrubbery removal from the very top/north of the site to behind the Scout's huts, and ultimately along to the weed collection bay, have been done by a local tree surgeon. We have issues with deadwood in the 2 Oaks at the main entrance which will need further work.
Longer term we are seeking to re-instate our rolling 5 year tree management programme, which lapsed in the pandemic, around the whole lake. It is sobering that in the 1960's when the club got going there were NO trees around the lake at all! Very many permissions from a number of organisations are required, and costs will not be small, sadly. But worth it if we can reduce the endless shifts!!
Please come along to the work party on Saturday the 18th March, where we will have a wide range of jobs available to suit every skill set and age.
Many thanks for your ongoing support
Philip Tinsley
Last updated 09:41 on 20 December 2023
